Whats the BEST BRAND of 175W 10K Halides??

[dc8053]

I currently have two 175W 10K metal halides right now. I am currently using GE Halide bulbs. THey seem to burn out every two month or so. So I am just wondering what brand is the best bang for your buck!! Thanks.
Dave

 

[adrian]

If you want 10k, I would suggest Ushio. If you want a brighter bulb with a lower kelvin temp, then Venture makes a great 55K for less than $50. I have been runing three 175 Venture 55Ks for close to a year and I am very impressed with the intensity and color, better color in fact than my 250 Iwasaki 65K, but of course I run VHO actinics as well, they are both pretty yellow without them. I also have two 175 Ushios over a 55 gallon, the color looks great so far, but I just set the tank up and it hasnt even got coral in it yet so I can speak for their overall performance. I have tried the sunburst 12K bulbs in the past and was very displeased with their color, intensity, and price. Of course whether or not the color is pleasing or not depends on the individual. HTH

 

[ironreef]

175w =usio. i wouldn't even use 175w venture = 10k usio 175w magnetic ballast =63.41 par 175w 5.5k venture magnetic =20.10 per sanjays test. lower k bulbs the only advantage to them is more par ,less $$and more bulb life. But venture doesn't have more par than a 10k so the only benifit would be cost but you get way less par The usio should last at least 8mo but you probally get a year easily. i might add i don't have any experiance with venture bulbs but the ## say how low the par is. usiho is a good brand bulb most are happy.If $$ is an issue you may want to try but the best experiance is what you get from your tank you may want to try both but the par is so low on the venture i would just get the 10k. it would last longer and look better.
[ November 23, 2001: Message edited by: Ironreef ]

 

[adrian]

Ah yes, Ironreef , you are correct, at least according to Sanjay. I'll still suggest the Ventures, and only because I have been using them with excellent results. Guess you would have to use them to really know how they perform, as will I with the Ushios

 

[ironreef]

true true but my point is if they cost the same??? why not use blue instead of yellow if you haven't used either? FWIW I use 6.5 and actinic. I know ppl who swear on either ushio or Iwaski But I can buy Iwaski and all my actinic for the price of usihio and 6.5k last longer. Ushio does look better but with 4 110w vho actinic The pee yellow is gone. Now if the venture is cheaper thats a different story.

 

[adrian]

The Venture is about $30 cheaper than the Ushio. Of course I stll cant say which performs better having only used the Venture, and we all know price has nothing to do with performance.