Favorite 14K SE bulb?

[Paintguru]

I'm really liking the look of the 14K I have over my frag tank, but it is a DE setup and I have a SE on my main system. What is the best SE out there in the 14K range?

 

[edwing206]

Surfin said something about aqua connect. Here's the link. ***** expensive.
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...oduct_Code=14K-250SE-AC&Category_Code=mh-250w

 

[surfn]

here are my top SE 14k picks.

#1 aquaconnect 14k on icecap ballast (lasts a year)
#2 radium 20k overdriven on HQI ballast (5-6months max)
#3 hamilton 14k on icecap ballast (lasts a year)

icacap ballast is better than a standard electronic ballast.

 

[Paintguru]

I actually have a standard PFO magnetic ballast. 400W

 

[VanHalen]

Where can I learn about the SE or DE types? Right now, that actually makes no sense to me

 

[Paintguru]

SE=Single ended (glass envelope)
DE=Double ended

 

[surfn]

I actually have a standard PFO magnetic ballast. 400W

the only thing that runs well on a magnetic ballast is the XM20k bulb. that won't exactly give you a 14k look, but not exactly 20k either. it will fall somewhere in b/w.....closer to the 20k site. bulb will last about 8-10months depending on how long you run it each day.

JMO.......but if you have the money, i'd suggest upgrading to ICECAP 400w ballasts. you've got like 3 great bulb selections in the 14k range that have outstanding PAR measurements. so if you decide you dont like one bulb, or can't find it anymore, all you gota do is switch to another bulb and you still have an outstanding set up.

in this day and age, in order to get a proper set up you pretty much have to match the bulb to the ballast to get the best combination, so whenever you change bulbs you pretty much have to change ballasts.

 

[VanHalen]

Thanks ! I apreciate that

 

[Paintguru]

the only thing that runs well on a magnetic ballast is the XM20k bulb. that won't exactly give you a 14k look, but not exactly 20k either. it will fall somewhere in b/w.....closer to the 20k site. bulb will last about 8-10months depending on how long you run it each day.

JMO.......but if you have the money, i'd suggest upgrading to ICECAP 400w ballasts. you've got like 3 great bulb selections in the 14k range that have outstanding PAR measurements. so if you decide you dont like one bulb, or can't find it anymore, all you gota do is switch to another bulb and you still have an outstanding set up.

in this day and age, in order to get a proper set up you pretty much have to match the bulb to the ballast to get the best combination, so whenever you change bulbs you pretty much have to change ballasts.

Thanks, I may look to do that, as I have the XM20K right now and feel it is just too blue and kinda "blahs" out some of the colors (compared to my frag tank). I'd really like to adapt my Luminarc reflector for DE bulbs, but I have no idea how I would do that .

 

[surfn]

I'd really like to adapt my Luminarc reflector for DE bulbs, but I have no idea how I would do that .

if you did that, you'd have to buy new ballasts anyways....then you'd only be able to get ahold of 1 or 2 good DE bulbs in the 14k range.

so change out your current ballasts to Icecap ballasts, keep the SE's......and just change bulbs. at least then you'll have other fantastic bulb options.

 

[Paintguru]

Is this the IceCap you're talking about?

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...oduct_Code=ICE-400NB&Category_Code=Ice-halide

Then the other question is, do I go down to 250W at this point? Save me some electricity .

 

[surfn]

Is this the IceCap you're talking about?

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...oduct_Code=ICE-400NB&Category_Code=Ice-halide

Then the other question is, do I go down to 250W at this point? Save me some electricity .

yep, thats it...........

what size tank do you have? and what corals do you keep?

 

[Patwa]

the BEST 14,000K bulb around is the IWASAKI 175W SE, imo. It's the bulb i'll be using on my 65gal display....I just have to find the cash - they're darn expensive, around $105CAD each!!! yikes)

these particular 175W SE put out more PAR than most 250W MH bulbs!

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/lofiversion/index.php/t86205.html

Sanjay's artricle; he was quite shocked when he tested them out: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2005/12/review/view?searchterm=175

Zach

 

[surfn]

i personally have used the iwasaki 14k bulb when it first came out.

i think its a piece of crap. its completely white, doesn't give off any blue what so ever. and it does nothing for the flourescence of corals. supplementing with actinic is a must if you want your blues/greens/purples to look good.

it does make reds and pinks look better than a blue bulb will though.

IMO the only thing its good for is if you want a high PAR bulb that is not yellow like the XM10k. its ideal application is on a frag tank, not a show tank.

the XM10k gives off more flourescence to corals than the Iwasaki bulb does...IME and IMO

PAR doesn't mean squat to me when i'm looking at my corals in the tank. all i care about is how colorful they look.

 

[Patwa]

good info!....i'm currently using the XM 10,000K, with some 20,000K flourescent supplementation.... i hate the look...waay too yellow....but the corals are just loving it...

i know the Iwasaki is more a crisp, pure white....that is why i want them...i just hate the overal yellow tone from the XM 10,000K....along with the Iwasaki 14,000K, i'll be supplementing with 3 floruescent 03 actinic bulbs (NO)...i've never used this combo before but i think it'll be a pretty nice look...i'm not too fond of the XM 20,000K look either...too blue for my taste - back when i ran these i had to supplement with 10,000K just to bring it down a notch..hated them

PAR, to me, is a big part of the equation when i'm choosing a new bulb....i want the corals to thrive, not just survive, so i'll do what i can to give them that extra bit, no matter how picky I sometimes get

Zach

 

[Paintguru]

Tank is 30x30x24...all lit with the one MH lamp (Luminarc reflector and some insignificant VHOs). I keep mostly zoas/palys, some LPS, a couple SPS (pretty much your typical mixed reef).

 

[surfn]

yeah, you are in a cube configuration.....so 1 bulb is optimal if you are doing a mixed reef.

2x250w is way overkill for your purposes unless you were doing an all sps type of tank.

1x400w icecap ballast would be perfect IMO for your size tank. if you can get the aquaconnect 14k.....go for it!