metal halide bulbs

[abeandlulu]

Which type bulb do you use/prefer? Hamiltons, radium, reeflux, coralvue? I normally use 14K 250 watt hamiltons in my tanks, but it is time for new bulbs and I an thinking about switching. I am also thinking about switching to a
20K bulb also. And in a couple months am going to add VHO's on my 265 gallon. Any suggestions would help.

 

[pattycakes]

Originally Posted by abeandlulu
http:///forum/post/3236431
Which type bulb do you use/prefer? Hamiltons, radium, reeflux, coralvue? I normally use 14K 250 watt hamiltons in my tanks, but it is time for new bulbs and I an thinking about switching. I am also thinking about switching to a
20K bulb also. And in a couple months am going to add VHO's on my 265 gallon. Any suggestions would help.
I personally like Hamiltons the best (not that my two cents matter compared to other people that have been doing this longer than i have) If you don't mind me asking why do you want to switch to the 20K?

 

[abeandlulu]

I was looking for a more blue color. But I dont want to much blue.

 

[flower]

Originally Posted by abeandlulu
http:///forum/post/3236431
Which type bulb do you use/prefer? Hamiltons, radium, reeflux, coralvue? I normally use 14K 250 watt hamiltons in my tanks, but it is time for new bulbs and I an thinking about switching. I am also thinking about switching to a
20K bulb also. And in a couple months am going to add VHO's on my 265 gallon. Any suggestions would help.

I used 2 X175w 14K Hammilton, I liked them just fine. I just oreded the 14K Phoenix to see how they are, someone on this site said they are best.
20K IMO is just too blue, everything looks like actinic only to me. I have actinic on ether side of the MH in my unit.

 

[meowzer]

I had 250W 10K Hamiltons and HATED them....my tank was a yellow color
I now have 14k Phoenix, and I fell in love with my tank all over again
BUT..I also have 8T5HO Actinics...
WHEN you add your VHO...what type of bulbs will they be?
IMO I LOVE MY 14K Phoenix

 

[bullitr]

Originally Posted by abeandlulu
http:///forum/post/3236454
I was looking for a more blue color. But I dont want to much blue.
radiums looks really good its has perfect white/blue/ purple look to it.
i use a knock off its too blue /purple on a regular ballast but if it i use it on my dimmable ballast and overpower it @ 30% more its great better than radiums in my opinion!
and you don't need a vho actinic to supplement it!

 

[wangotango]

Ushio, Radium, XM.
Search for Sanjay's lighting tests for the best bulb/ballast combination.

 

[mrdc]

Originally Posted by meowzer
http:///forum/post/3236483
I had 250W 10K Hamiltons and HATED them....my tank was a yellow color
I now have 14k Phoenix, and I fell in love with my tank all over again
BUT..I also have 8T5HO Actinics...
WHEN you add your VHO...what type of bulbs will they be?
IMO I LOVE MY 14K Phoenix
I'm looking for double ended halides and after looking at a lot of user reviews, I plan to try the 14k Phoenix bulbs. I hope I like them.

 

[abeandlulu]

Originally Posted by meowzer
http:///forum/post/3236483
I had 250W 10K Hamiltons and HATED them....my tank was a yellow color
I now have 14k Phoenix, and I fell in love with my tank all over again
BUT..I also have 8T5HO Actinics...
WHEN you add your VHO...what type of bulbs will they be?
IMO I LOVE MY 14K Phoenix
I had planned on one whit one actinic.

 

[abeandlulu]

So I should stick with the 14K?

 

[meowzer]

Originally Posted by abeandlulu
http:///forum/post/3236591
So I should stick with the 14K?
WOW...LOL....All I can say is I love my 14K Phoenix...
How many metal halides do you have and what watts?
do you have any actinics at all right now?

 

[abeandlulu]

Originally Posted by meowzer
http:///forum/post/3236599
WOW...LOL....All I can say is I love my 14K Phoenix...
How many metal halides do you have and what watts?
do you have any actinics at all right now?
3x250 watts 14K hamiltons now. No actinics now at all.

 

[meowzer]

And your VHO will only have 2 lights? If that were me...then I would keep the 250W 14K, and get the vho's with actinics, or those ati blueplus type bulbs....
I am sure many people would suggest different things....BUT all my 8T5HO bulbs that re with my 3 250W 14K Phoenix are actinic....4 are 420's and 4 are 460's

 

[abeandlulu]

I might try that. I was just looking into the phenix bulbs and see alot of reviews that people love them. So I will probably try tose bulbs. thanks