Ohio Reef
Reef Discussion => Equipment => Topic started by: aquavista99 on May 23, 2006, 14:07:32
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I will be purchasing new metal halide bulbs soon for an SPS reef. I am currently using blueline 10k and ushio 10k bulbs on both of my systems. What do other Ohio Reef members use and would you recommend it to others? I am also considering XM 10 k bulbs as well.
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250 watt Hamilton 14k, operating off of IceCap ballasts.
I can't say enough about these bulbs. I had a bunch of SPS that browned out under the XM 20k that I had, but when I put these on within a few weeks everything has colored up better than ever. I wont use anything else from here on out (metal halide wise).
Travis
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Travis, do you think it's the bulbs or the ballasts? I have a different ballast but would like to try the hamilton bulbs.
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400w EVC on an EVC electronic ballast. Similar spectral plot as the hamilton with a much bigger spike in the blue wavelength and a little better Par rating.
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250 watt Hamilton 14k, operating off of IceCap ballasts.
I can't say enough about these bulbs. I had a bunch of SPS that browned out under the XM 20k that I had, but when I put these on within a few weeks everything has colored up better than ever. I wont use anything else from here on out (metal halide wise).
Travis
How blue are the 14ks? All the research suggests SPS grow better under 10k but I can't verify this myself since I have only used 10 k bulbs, but I am considering 12k and 14k bulbs. Sedar at Phishy Business also recommended exactly what you are using (Hamilton 14k).
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xm 15k and hamilton 14k
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xm 15k and hamilton 14k
Mike,
What do you like or dislike about these bulbs? Do you prefer one over the other?
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one of my hamiltons colored out whiter than the other. probabally because the cheap ballast im running on it, but other than that i like both of them. i have read that hamiltons have a very low PAR rating. overall i like the xm 15k's, nice crisp slight blue color.
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I think its the XM that has the low par rating. Their 10k and 20k have good par but the 15 not so good:
Are you familiar with Sanjay's lighting page:
http://www.reeflightinginfo.arvixe.com/index.htm
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250 watt Hamilton 14k, operating off of IceCap ballasts.
I can't say enough about these bulbs. I had a bunch of SPS that browned out under the XM 20k that I had, but when I put these on within a few weeks everything has colored up better than ever. I wont use anything else from here on out (metal halide wise).
Travis
How blue are the 14ks? All the research suggests SPS grow better under 10k but I can't verify this myself since I have only used 10 k bulbs, but I am considering 12k and 14k bulbs. Sedar at Phishy Business also recommended exactly what you are using (Hamilton 14k).
Actually all coral grow better under 6500k ---but SPS color up better under bluer light. Some coral that are brown under 10k will color up under some 14k and most 20k. As far as how blue----- It all depends on bulb and ballast types.
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I'm using 15K XM's. I tried the 20K and it was too blue for me. The 10 is a bit yellow for me.
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I think its the XM that has the low par rating. Their 10k and 20k have good par but the 15 not so good:
Are you familiar with Sanjay's lighting page:
http://www.reeflightinginfo.arvixe.com/index.htm
Yes....I have it saved as a favorite.
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It makes sense why corals would grow best under under 6500k bulbs. Natural sunlight is nearest to 5500 -6000k. As for brown corals, nutrient levels (i.e., excess nitrate and phosphate levels etc) also play a big role in determining SPS color. I think I need to see a 12k or 14 k bulb in action before I change from 10ks. I prefer the natural, white look with just a touch of blue.
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It makes sense why corals would grow best under under 6500k bulbs. Natural sunlight is nearest to 5500 -6000k. As for brown corals, nutrient levels (i.e., excess nitrate and phosphate levels etc) also play a big role in determining SPS color. I think I need to see a 12k or 14 k bulb in action before I change from 10ks. I prefer the natural, white look with just a touch of blue.
Correct. I don't think you will like the 14k if you like the white look. I can tell you that most of the exotic coral farmers use 20ks. They forgo the rapid growth for vivid colors and rare status of the coral.
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My 14K are supplimented with PC actinic lighting. I don't get a while or yellow look but also not a deep blue either.
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I have RefLux 12 k bulbs runing on one tank. I have xm 15k bulbs on another tank. They are both running on the same ballests. I like the 12k better.