metal halide choice

[swissgaurd]

so its time for new SE 250watt bulbs again
ive tried the iwasakis...the growth was amazing but color on sps was terrible
tried the 10k reeflux growth was good but had to run my actinics.
tried the 12k reeflux,didnt need to run the actinics while MH were on,growth was good, price was reasonable.
presently running radiums 20k, excellent color almost the same as reeflux 12k, but growth on sps is slower and moe money.

im looking to try the phoenix bulbs 14k SE which is not the easiest thing to find marine depot has them but theres got to be someone else that sells them cheaper.

is there another bulb 250 watt SE that gives good color and growth for sps
that doesnt need to be supplemented by actinics.

thanks

vic

 

[amay121]

Have you tried Radiums?

 

[gilmour01]

try looking on ebay for phoenix bulbs. sometimes you can get them at a great price.

 

[TwistedTiger]

Seems like the Reeflux 12k's did what you wanted, why did you switch from them?

I've tried several of the bulbs you mentioned. I hated the bland look of the 10k's and hated the toilet blue of the 20k's. I run pendants so I don't supplement with actinics. When I switched over to Lumenarc pendents my problem was solved. I could run 20k's that were very bright with good growth and a much less blue look but good fluoresce from my corals. The Reeflux 250w 12k's looked great in these pendents but the xm 20k looked almost identical and with better fluoresce. Reflectors can make a huge difference in growth and the visual appearance of the light. If you are using basic spider reflectors and the Reeflux bulbs were good for you I'd go back to them. However I'd be tempted to try the XM.

 

[mathew26]

I just got the new Anthony Calflo 175watt 20k Bulb from Ice Cap and love the color on both the bulb and the color of the coral. Very pleased.

 

[RBursek]

Love my Heliux 20ks, but are hard to fined now, do not need to run the Atinics when they are on, Radiums 20k are not as blue as the Heliux's, running ATO ballast.

 

[Murfman]

Sanjay uses the Giesmann 14K in both his tanks (home and Penn State) I found them on line for $90 but, you get 18 months+ out of them. I currently run the Reeflux 12Ks and love the color/growth. I was thinking of changing over to the Geismanns due to the fact of longevity.

 

[Mark75g]

Vic,
Try Premium Aquatics. They have the Phoenix bulbs on SALE as I type!!!!!!!
Mark

Premium Aquatics

 

[swissgaurd]

I just got the new Anthony Calflo 175watt 20k Bulb from Ice Cap and love the color on both the bulb and the color of the coral. Very pleased.

ive thought about these bulbs as i like ice cap products
how long have you had the icecap bulbs and have you noticed any growth
the fixture im running is a PFO fixture with vho fired by icecap
the MH is fired also by ice cap.

premium aquatics has the phoenix on for 99.99 dont consider them to be much of a sale.

vic

 

[jaytizzle]

You looked into ReefOptics? They are made by a local reefer in our group. A lot of people in Louisiana use them (myself included). I have been through quite a few bulbs and they are one of the tops on my list. They are also a decent bit cheaper than everything else.

REEF OPTICS : Aquarium Lighting Products

 

[reefknight]

Sanjay uses the Giesmann 14K in both his tanks (home and Penn State) I found them on line for $90 but, you get 18 months+ out of them. I currently run the Reeflux 12Ks and love the color/growth. I was thinking of changing over to the Geismanns due to the fact of longevity.

Last year when I was at MACNA I spoke with several individuals and had it confirmed by the Ushio representative, the Giesemann lamps are manufactured by Ushio. I broke one of my G'mann 20k lamps, so I switched to the Ushio and love them. Try out their 20k lamp, as they are more affordable than the others.

 

[Blackhawk Fan]

Last year when I was at MACNA I spoke with several individuals and had it confirmed by the Ushio representative, the Giesemann lamps are manufactured by Ushio. I broke one of my G'mann 20k lamps, so I switched to the Ushio and love them. Try out their 20k lamp, as they are more affordable than the others.

Yup the Gmann, BLV, and Ushio bulbs are in fact the same.

Currently...
I love the 400w 20k Reeflux on a Coralvue dimmable ballast turned down to 320w.

 

[swissgaurd]

so its down to reeflux and ice cap they both seem to fit my budget
and i havent tried the icecaps but since there ballasts are tops im definately steering towards the icecap bulbs

now i know the reeflux bulbs are made in japan
does anyone know where the icecap bulbs are made.

vic

 

[mathew26]

I have had the ice cap bulb only about 1 week so far so no growth or anything yet but i paid locally about $55 for the bulb. I run a retro fit with spider reflector and 2 dual actinic PC.

 

[AZDesertRat]

Take a look at the new 20k Coralvue. I have talked to David at Coralvue and they sound amazing. The PAR is much higher than their Reeflux 12k but it still retains the blue color so actinic supplementation is not needed.
The PAR is just slightly less than the Radiums and at much less cost.

Testing 250-watt Single-ended Metal Halide Lamps and Ballasts by Joe Burger - Reefkeeping.com

 

[modifyd]

I like the EVC bulbs in 20k so far.

 

[oceanparadise1]

my vote is for 14k plus made by hamilton

 

[swissgaurd]

i recieved my 250w 14k icecaps today and i must say im impressed.
they fired up smoothly, there a crisp white with a hint of blue, a nice color as i dont supplement when the metal halides are on,
they dont seem to be as hot as the radiums, now the test will be, how the corals react once the bulbs has reached 100 hrs of burn in time.

vic

 

[swissgaurd]

thought id share a photo of the tank with just the icecaps on

vic