Metal Halide Bulb Recomendation

[SeabrookZoo]

Going to be running phoenix 14k on hqi ballasts.
I still have and ran the giesemann 17.5K on my 18" cubed nano. It is a 150 watt and it was very white. It was whiter than a 14k.

Are you running this on a HQI ballast?

 

[X-37B]

Are you running this on a HQI ballast?

Yes. I still have it but not the tank.

 

[X-37B]

Who makes a good m80 ballast now?

Hamilton is what I run.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Giesemann or Hamilton

 

[Vette67]

I’ll add another vote for the Hamilton 14,000K bulbs.

 

[montethemoster]

Definitely agree with the radium/m80 combo, and with it being crisp white. Still my personal favorite. Haven’t seen it well replicated by led yet, but wish I could, as to reduce the heat on my tank.

 

[SeabrookZoo]

Definitely agree with the radium/m80 combo, and with it being crisp white. Still my personal favorite. Haven’t seen it well replicated by led yet, but wish I could, as to reduce the heat on my tank.

250 or 400 watt and do you use the Hamilton ballast as well?

 

[SeabrookZoo]

I’ll add another vote for the Hamilton 14,000K bulbs.

What does the color look like with this bulb?

 

[Vette67]

I used to run 10,000k bulbs for 20+ years. Back in April, I changed to 14,000k. Took me a little bit to get used to the color, but I don’t think I’ll go back now. This was when the bulbs were brand new, so they are probably a little whiter now. But still not as white as the 10,000K bulbs.

 

[Skynyrd Fish]

I ran mh for ever. M80 ballast and radium 250 is the sps growers secret. I’m currently running ati t5 but miss the radiums. You won’t go wrong with any of these choices.

 

[montethemoster]

250 watt driven by a really old sunlight supply blue wave ballast that still works great.

 

[SeabrookZoo]

I used to run 10,000k bulbs for 20+ years. Back in April, I changed to 14,000k. Took me a little bit to get used to the color, but I don’t think I’ll go back now. This was when the bulbs were brand new, so they are probably a little whiter now. But still not as white as the 10,000K bulbs.

Nice tank!! Color looks good. Is that just the MH or do you supplement too?

 

[Vette67]

Nice tank!! Color looks good. Is that just the MH or do you supplement too?

I am all old school. I run 3 metal halide bulbs and 2 actinic white VHO bulbs. The 72” VHO bulbs are 160 watts each. But most of the color you are seeing is coming from the metal halides. I run a 250 watt MH in the middle and 175 watt MH on each end.

 

[plasma327]

Icecap electronic ballast 20K radium 250 watt. This is a new tank just got it running this week but a pic of the combo.

 

[SeabrookZoo]

I am all old school. I run 3 metal halide bulbs and 2 actinic white VHO bulbs. The 72” VHO bulbs are 160 watts each. But most of the color you are seeing is coming from the metal halides. I run a 250 watt MH in the middle and 175 watt MH on each end.

Nothing wrong with old school. I went from T5 to LED and did not like it on my 90. For this tank I want the tried and true plug and play option. I think one of the best tanks I have ever seen was running 10K MH and Super Actinic and 454 VHO it was the perfect balance white with a bit of blue and colors that popped.

 

[naterealbig]

I liked my Hamilton 14,000k bulbs.

Thought about going with these, but am siding a little more with the Ushio 14k. Have you used the Ushio before?

 

[Bpb]

Thought about going with these, but am siding a little more with the Ushio 14k. Have you used the Ushio before?

I haven’t Heard lots of praise for the Ushio 14k. I just always got the Hamilton’s so cheap

 

[Graffiti Spot]

I am using the 400w ushio 14k which is great so far. Very nice white light that makes everything look natural. Acro colors are great under this light. I think the 250w 14k bulb was discontinued for a reason but not sure why. I hope they continue to make the 400 se bulb because I am a fan.
I used to run xm 10k or reflux 12k but now those are both long gone and this is the closest bulb I could find that looked similar with lots of par. Just remember the reflectors are just as important as the ballast and bulb combo.

 

[jwshiver]

Where the Giesemann heavy blue or crisp white when you ran them?

Honestly don't remember. I did like the look of the Radions.

 

[flyfisherman]

I always felt that the Radium250 on m80’s are more of a nice crisp white than blue. More blue than a 10k Ushio for sure, but not really “blue” at all by today’s standards. Will definitely look more blue on electronic ballasts including the “hqi” setting

Having said that, the Radium 250 on good m80 ballast is a hard combo to beat.

Yes, not sure why people think Radiums are blue. Its absolutely bizarre to be honest, must be the supplements???