MH Bulb Recommendations

[meowzer]

I have a new MH light (1 month) and want to keep bulbs ready for a change.
It is a 72" 3 bulbs 250W 10,000K (plus T-5 Actinics)
My question is, the light can handle 250w 10,000, 15,000, or 20,000K
1. What's the difference?
2. What brand and size do you recommend?
Thanks...I will no longer buy anything w/o asking questions...LOL My learning errors are costing too much.

 

[joncat24]

Best overall bubls for color and growth, IMO is the Phoenix 14k.
I have them on my tank and they look great with good growth also.

 

[jackri]

You can change out the par rating --- 10k 14k 15k? (not real familiar with that) and 20k. You just can't put a 400w bulb with a 250w ballast.
The lower par rating will give you a more yellow look but faster growth. The higher gives you a crisper blue look.
I've always been recommended Phoenix for 14k... seems like most of the German bulbs are the recommended ones but I'll be going with the Phoenix next time around.
Since you have T-5 actinics already 10k's again would be great (what I currently run) unless you want a bluer/whiter look to your tank then you could go to 14k's.
Just don't get 400w bulbs.

 

[spiderwoman]

What is the best for you depends on your ballast and it's model. Phoenix 14k may be the best on a specific combination, but you need to check what you have and then visit Sanjay's Lighting site to really see what the differences with ballast/bulb combination are.

 

[snakeblitz33]

If I were to just get an extra set on a budget, I would go with XM 250 watt 20k metal halides.
20k's are much better IMO, because I have always seen less algae growth in tanks with them than with a tank with a different light spectrum.

 

[stanlalee]

too subjective. I know several people who dont like the color of phoenix bulbs and I'm not crazy about them. there are just too many different bulbs with so many different spectrum and intensity values that change from ballast to ballast. 1rst thing we need to know is if you like the look of your tank with 10k bulbs? if you do and the T5 provide's enough blue supplemetation for you its probably best to chose between good 10k bulbs that work with your ballast (XM, Ushio, Reflux 10k are good performing 10k bulbs. the reflux is about as blue as Aqualine 13k, sunpaq 14k or ushio 14k so all 10ks wont look the same as yours or each other). If you want to add a moderate amount of blue look into 12-15k bulbs (as above those mentioned some say are white enough to be considered closer to 10k bulbs). If you want alot of blue look into 20k bulbs (although many would consider pheonix 14k and reeflux 12k blue enough to be considered 20kish). confusing.
so are you looking for something about the same color but better, something a little bluer or something alot bluer? are you willing to sacrifice some intensity for color?

 

[spiderwoman]

I'm currently testing EVC Tech 400W 14K Bulbs from Reef Science in our larger tank and so far I'm really loving the color and can tell a difference in growth compared to 400W Radium 20k's.

 

[meowzer]

GEE...now I am confused. the light I bought is a 72" Outer Orbit Pro Series HQI/T-5/LED Light...3 250w 839wT5 All the bulbs say is that they are dbl ended 10,000K HQI Metal Halide Bulbs...they do not say a brand (not even on the bulb)....They lights seem very white and bright. The following is what they list as compatible for MH, since I know nothing about the bulbs, I would like to get bulbs that are the same as what it came with...nice bright white light:
Hamilton Technology
250W 10,000°K (10914)
XM
250W 10,000°K (24648)
250W 15,000°K (27346)
250W 20,000°K (24649)
Ushio
250W AQ 10,000°K (24643)
Aqualine Buschke
250W 13,000°K (25860)
250W 20,000°K (25861)
SOOOO, what you are all saying is the 10,000, 14,000 or 20,000 has to do with the blue color? And if I want the whitish light stay with 10K???

 

[jackri]

If you like what you have just stick with your set up. If you go towards the 20k end it'll be more whitish blue. The 10k end will be a bit more yellow.

 

[meowzer]

I know but the bulbs I have don't say what they are....which brand anyway...and I really like the whitish look.

 

[spiderwoman]

Originally Posted by jackri
http:///forum/post/2908185
If you like what you have just stick with your set up. If you go towards the 20k end it'll be more whitish blue. The 10k end will be a bit more yellow.
Actually going to 20k is going to give you more blue and 10k is more white. I haven't seen yellowish 10k. You'd get yellowish when you go below 10k.

 

[meowzer]

WELL....I just decided to call the supplier, and it seems the light actually comes with Current 10k bulbs...they don't even list them isn't that weird?? Anyway one of mine came broken so they reshipped me 3 new ones...The ones they reshipped were Hamilton 10K 250w bulbs. When I put it in you could see the difference immediately...the Hamilton bulb is more yellowish....I think i am going to order some current bulbs and keep these Hamilton ones for an emergency...too bad they are so expensive tho.

 

[jbird0420]

I got 2 Hamilton 250w 14k. I have no complaints! Love the nice blue spectrum it gives off and my mixed reef really responds to them.

 

[stanlalee]

Originally Posted by meowzer
http:///forum/post/2908220
WELL....I just decided to call the supplier, and it seems the light actually comes with Current 10k bulbs...they don't even list them isn't that weird??.
yes all current fixtures come with current usa sunpaq bulbs (there okay, just average). I'd suggest you switch to XM10k or Reflux 10k. XMs bright white color but much better intensity. will work fine with your ballast. some of the best performing 10k bulbs available (thee best 10k for PAR). If you want mostly bright white with just a little bit better color the reflux 10k is a nice bulb. I'd probably go reflux 10k. not quite as powerful as the XM but color is a bit better but still not bluish.