How to pick the right bulbs

[teresaq]

How do I know which bulbs to buy for my ballasts. The are old custom sealife 250 wtts. I think they are pulse start but they dont say. I need to order new bulbs. The ones in there are coralife, should I just get the same brand??
T

 

[reefraff]

Is there a code number on the ballasts? M 58, M 80 etc.? If not they are likely electronic ballasts which will run most any lamp in most cases. The electronic ballasts wont be very big and don't get too warm. The magnetic ballasts are big, heavy and get hot.

 

[teresaq]

They are 9x5x6 - black and just say custom sealife out of CA.
I am looking at the reflux 12000 k or the Hamilton 15000 k -- They both say they will work with all types of ballast

 

[spiderwoman]

You may want to look up Sanjay's site about lighting and see how different PAR etc are with a bulb/ballast combination.

 

[veni vidi vici]

I would stay away from the Hamilton bulbs.Mine burned in different colors and from what i understand its not uncommon.

 

[wangotango]

Originally Posted by SpiderWoman
http:///forum/post/2858835
You may want to look up Sanjay's site about lighting and see how different PAR etc are with a bulb/ballast combination.
+1
Any combination of bulb/ballast is there. Since you don't have a name brand ballast, compare it to some of the electronic ballasts listed like Icecap etc.
We're running 14k Ushios on Icecaps here, and I personally like the look. I don't know if they have a 250w version though.
-Justin

 

[teresaq]

I tried to get on that site, but even after signing in, I cant get the lighting thread to come up.
I guess I need to pm peef and see if he remembers what the ballasts are. I bought them used from him.
I did find a Ushio in a 10000K but not 140000K

 

[teresaq]

There are way too many bulbs out there
rate these please
XM either 15K or 20K
Blue Life SPS 14 K
Aquamaxx 14K
Reefux 12K
Coralvue 14k or 20K
These all run about the same-about 70 bucks -- except the aquamaxx its only 32.00 so is probably the worse.
T
PS, I will hopfully find out tomorrow what kind of ballast I have-Peef is checking for me.

 

[teresaq]