250w MH bulb pictures?

[AZDesertRat]

Its time for new SE MH bulbs. I started 6 years ago with Ushio 10k supplemented by 2x140w URI VHO Super Actinics, great color and growth with the combination.

Next was XM 10k with the VHOs and growth and color were amazing, easily the best growth I have ever seen in my system.

The last two years I have used Reeflux 12k without the VHOs and while the color is pretty good the intensity is not there and the growth has been dismal. Very dim in comparison, in fact one 12k just quit so I screwed and old XM in to get me by until I get new bulbs and the Reeflux looks like its not even on vs the XM 10k.

I have been thinking about the newer Coralvue 14k bulbs and David at Coralvue says the PAR is very high meaning good coral growth but I cannot find the article he linked me to or any pictures of them in use.

Any ideas? I don't want too blue as I prefer the purple of the true actinic over blue but I also want to avoid using the extra 280 watts of VHO too.

 

[jrl]

i run radiums on a bluewave 7 hqi ballast and it burns the bulb at very nice 14k color but obviously at a higher intensity. I supplement with 4 110w VHO super actinics and people still have a hard time telling its a 20k. I love em though the colors on my corals have exploded since using them.

 

[Mallard]

I just posted with in one of the other threads but there is some good information to look at.

250Watt Bulb Comparison

Manhattan Reefs - Sanjay's Lighting Guide

Bulb Color Comparisons

CnidarianReef: Lamp Tests

 

[jrl]

Heres a really old pic, about 4 months old, but keep in mind the color is a little more blue than in real life due to the white balance