need some help

[jjbbambam]

hey guys need some help i need to get 2 halide bulbs for my reef tank this is the set up 2 250 SE mogul based halide system with standard pfo ballast
i have tried these 2 name brands and dont like the out come of these i have tried xm 15k liked the blue look but acros wont hold color of them
also have tried hamilton 14k and same thing colors of acro not holding. i did try 10k ishios liked them they brought out the color of the acros but with all the neon colors i have in my tank the white light kind of took that away not bleaching just didnt have that spectrum to bring out the flouresent colors of them its a 55 gallon tank so its hard to fit in attinic lighting what bulbs do u recommend thanks joe

 

[House of Laughter]

I haven't found a single ended bulb that I like without having to supllemtn it and get growth - IMO, the XM 10k's were the best for me for color and growth - BUT definately require supplementation.

House

 

[jjbbambam]

bulbs

hey house can u help me why did my post get moved to vendors i am not a vendor can u help me

 

[Deanos]

I moved your post from Vendor to General. Someone else is at fault.

 

[Sean]

when you first fire up MH bulbs there's a "breaking in" period. How long did you have the lights on before you decided to change them?

 

[HAVIC]

jjbbambam, I have the same ballast as you an I have just been doing some research on bulbs. It seems that the best bulb to use on an ANSI M58 ballast is a 250 W XM 10,000K bulb. The problem with your corals might have been the XM 15k bulb, testing was quite horrible on the 15k bulb.

These are the top bulbs for that ballast in order.
XM 250W 10000K SE
Iwasaki 250W 6500K SE
Happy Reefing 250W 10000K SE
Blueline 250W Superwhite SE
Coralvue 250W 10000K SE
Ushio 250W 10000K SE

Got info from http://www.reeflightinginfo.arvixe.com/selectperformancedata.php
under ballast choose the magnetek 250w (M58).

 

[jjbbambam]

ok were is the best place to get bulbs from

 

[HAVIC]

I was looking at
http://oceanencounter.com/Merchant2...Code=OE&Product_Code=12MHBX&Category_Code=MHB
I've ordered from them before and I believe they are in north carolina.

 

[DevIouS]

I've been changing bulbs like crazy myself.
I can't find anything that I like 100%.
Most bulbs that have great growth are lower K ratings & will have to be supplemented with actinic's.

 

[cali_reef]

I was looking at
http://oceanencounter.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=OE&Product_Code=12MHBX&Category_Code=MHB
I've ordered from them before and I believe they are in north carolina.

I bought MH lighting stuff from them and was happy with their service, I believe Vince is down in South Jersey and you pretty much get what you ordered the next day with ground shipping.

I personally like the 250W XM 10,000K on a M80 ballast, supplemented with two VHO Super Actinic 03 for the few hours I can look at my tank and a hour before and hour after the MH. IME and IMO this is the best growth and color balance with all the different combos I have tried in the last 5 years.