Difference between 20k halide bulbs

Syntax1235 · Mar 13, 2018

Anyone every used these three 250 watt 20k SE bulbs on a standard electronic ballast? I'm looking for general appearance differences.

Hamilton 20k and Reef Brite Twin-Arc

jda · Mar 13, 2018

Hamilton 20K is pretty blue on electronic. ...bluer than on Magnetic. To me, it looks like a Radium 20K (this is whiter than the 20K Hamilton) with a few actinic bulbs helping to blue it up more.

I have never used the twin-acr, sorry. There are not many users of this bulb AFAIK, so opinions might be low.

There are people who have some opinion on the Gisemann 17.5k if you are looking for slightly whiter/crisper than a 20k.

alton · Mar 13, 2018

I found this on line
Twin Arc Tube Metal Halide Bulb-TWO BULBS IN ONE!!

A perfect match for our pro metal halide pendant and digital electronic ballast.
Promote amazing growth and color in your corals.
Maintains higher light output levels than conventional metal halide bulbs.
Automatic switching, no additional ballast required!
Can significantly reduce light shock in corals when changing bulbs.
No wiring required, simply screw in the twin arc tube lamp into any mogul based metal halide system.
Requires pulse start ballast for proper operation.
These bulbs are slightly longer than standard mogul base metal halide lamps and may not fit some fixtures.

Hamilton I believe are Probe Start and use the M58 ballast, Pulse start ballast ansi number is M138?

Syntax1235 · Mar 13, 2018

I'm currently using two 14k and one 20k twin-arc. I'm trying bulbs because the 14k twin-arcs look more like 6500k to my eyes. I was drawn to the twin-arcs for the advertised longer life due to the two arc tubes in each bulb. I'm using Reef Brite ballasts so I don't have an hqi setting.