250 Watt SE MH Bulb Question

[Syntax1235]

I'm looking for a 250 watt SE MH bulb that can be used with a standard electronic ballast (reefbrite) that will give me a white light with no yellow. Any ideas? I'm currently using the RB 14k Twin-arc and find them to be a little yellow for my taste.

 

[jda]

10k Hamilton is crisp white with a hint of blue. Their 14k has more blue in it.

This is kinda hard over the internet since what I consider white, others might think has too much yellow.

 

[Crabs McJones]

10k Hamilton is crisp white with a hint of blue. Their 14k has more blue in it.

This is kinda hard over the internet since what I consider white, others might think has too much yellow.

Agreed, personal perception is going to play a big role. I really like the look of 20K bulbs, but others see them as way to blue lol

 

[jporter17]

I switched over to the Hamilton bulbs to run on my RB ballast about a year ago. I started off with their 20K and am now using two of their 14K SE MH's. It is a nice crisp white with a little blue in it. No yellow at all, at least that I can see. I also use T5's and RB XHO's for dusk and dawn ramp. I'd suggest starting with a 14K and then try a 10K if it's too blue. JP

 

[Montiman]

I really like ushio 20k in addition to the Hamilton. They remind me of the double ended pheonix 14k lamps.

 

[Syntax1235]

10k Hamilton is crisp white with a hint of blue. Their 14k has more blue in it.

This is kinda hard over the internet since what I consider white, others might think has too much yellow.

I've read that; however, is it with a regular ballast or using an HQI setting that that color is obtained?

 

[Syntax1235]

Gonna try a Hamilton 10k and see how it goes

 

[jda]

SE 250w Bulbs are not made for HQI. They can be run on HQI, but their color shifts, output increases and the lifespan decreases. The Hamilton 10k is made to be run on M58 (magnetic) or 250w electronic ballasts.

The only kind of exception to this is 20k Radium, which is an HQI bulb, not a 250w bulb - it does get called a 250w bulb a lot.

 

[Captain Quint]

Gonna try a Hamilton 10k and see how it goes

It is very natural and nice. Good choice.

 

[Captain Quint]

10k Hamilton is crisp white with a hint of blue. Their 14k has more blue in it.

This is kinda hard over the internet since what I consider white, others might think has too much yellow.

+1 with this. I miss MH's, to be honest.

 

[jda]

I am burning through a stash of 10k AquaLine bulbs over my frag tank and then I am back to Hamiltons 10k. They REALLY are a nice bulb if white is what you are looking for. People cannot believe the colors that I can get under them... most will take frags home and are amazed at how they look under more blue, but they oft loose the color over a few months when they are not under the same light.

 

[Syntax1235]

SE 250w Bulbs are not made for HQI. They can be run on HQI, but their color shifts, output increases and the lifespan decreases. The Hamilton 10k is made to be run on M58 (magnetic) or 250w electronic ballasts.

The only kind of exception to this is 20k Radium, which is an HQI bulb, not a 250w bulb - it does get called a 250w bulb a lot.

Great info, thanks!

 

[jporter17]

Okay, this thread made me order a couple of the Hamilton 10K’s to try out. JP

 

[Reefcowboy]

I run Radiums now and love the look, but ran the Phoenix 14k when I had a DE fixture and that was the best look of a saltwater tank IMO...like the ocean, right at noon on a sunny day.

What bulb would give me close to the Phoenix look? Im due for bulbs in Feb and although have bought spare radiums, would like to try others for change.

 

[Captain Quint]

@Syntax1235 I noticed you run a 180g predominately SPS and was curious if it were a 180 tall of 31 inches or a 180 -8 at 25 inches high. Or if you were looking for the bulb for a more shallow tank which might make a difference in the Kelvin rating. I have no doubt you know a good deal having SPS and are a true reefer so I hope no offense is taken in the following plus it may help someone thinking about switching to Metal Halides.

10,000 Kelvin bulb will achieve very good growth rates and produce excellent growth with soft corals & LPS but can be slower paced regarding SPS growth.

A 14,000Kelvin bulb will penetrate more than the 10,000K while still providing useful PAR (and would be on the higher end of 'Daylight' Kelvin temperature while still getting good growth in corals. And is an excellent daylight color for tanks between 25 to 30 inches in depth.

We know a 20,000 K bulb is bluer and brings out all of the fluorescent pigments in many corals making for a very nice appearance but several tests/studies have shown that when used alone, except in tanks over 24 inches, the growth rate of SPS corals can be slowed or even come to a standstill with 20,000 Kelvin ratings.

Hopes this made sense.

 

[Syntax1235]

@Syntax1235 I noticed you run a 180g predominately SPS and was curious if it were a 180 tall of 31 inches or a 180 -8 at 25 inches high. Or if you were looking for the bulb for a more shallow tank which might make a difference in the Kelvin rating. I have no doubt you know a good deal having SPS and are a true reefer so I hope no offense is taken in the following plus it may help someone thinking about switching to Metal Halides.

10,000 Kelvin bulb will achieve very good growth rates and produce excellent growth with soft corals & LPS but can be slower paced regarding SPS growth.

A 14,000Kelvin bulb will penetrate more than the 10,000K while still providing useful PAR (and would be on the higher end of 'Daylight' Kelvin temperature while still getting good growth in corals. And is an excellent daylight color for tanks between 25 to 30 inches in depth.

We know a 20,000 K bulb is bluer and brings out all of the fluorescent pigments in many corals making for a very nice appearance but several tests/studies have shown that when used alone, except in tanks over 24 inches, the growth rate of SPS corals can be slowed or even come to a standstill with 20,000 Kelvin ratings.

Hopes this made sense.

No offense taken

My tank is a standard 180 and is 72x24x24. The Reebrite pendants have xho blue strips, so I really don't think I need the blue from the mh bulb.

I was under the impression that a lower temp bulb would produce faster growth: Iwasaki 6500k = fast growth but colors may suffer / 20k = slower growth but better colors. Is this wrong?

 

[Captain Quint]

No offense taken

My tank is a standard 180 and is 72x24x24. The Reebrite pendants have xho blue strips, so I really don't think I need the blue from the mh bulb.

I was under the impression that a lower temp bulb would produce faster growth: Iwasaki 6500k = fast growth but colors may suffer / 20k = slower growth but better colors. Is this wrong?

Yes, you are correct.

The 10,000 Kelvin bulb does achieve good growth rates, just slower than the 6500 K bulbs in a shallow system. 10000K bulbs have produced excellent growth with soft corals & LPS, although slower paced SPS growth

10,000Kelvin is considered a good choice for achieving PAR for better depth penetration than a 6500K bulb such as ~20inches or even a deeper aquarium.

I just want to put the variables out there.

 

[Syntax1235]

I appreciate the info! Thanks for posting.

 

[Montiman]

I run Radiums now and love the look, but ran the Phoenix 14k when I had a DE fixture and that was the best look of a saltwater tank IMO...like the ocean, right at noon on a sunny day.

What bulb would give me close to the Phoenix look? Im due for bulbs in Feb and although have bought spare radiums, would like to try others for change.

The Ushio 20k is the closest to a pheonix 14k in a single ended bulb IMO. When there was a brief drought in double ended pheonix 14k lamps I switched to double ended Ushio 20k and many seasoned reefers thought they were the same lamps.

 

[Reefcowboy]

The Ushio 20k is the closest to a pheonix 14k in a single ended bulb IMO. When there was a brief drought in double ended pheonix 14k lamps I switched to double ended Ushio 20k and many seasoned reefers thought they were the same lamps.

Thank you. How about the gieseman bulbs? Are they any good or should I stay away?