20,000K recommendations

[Len]

Any particular recommendations? I'm thinking about trying a 20K but I can't decide which one to try (Radium, XM, Ushio ... all have similiar specs).

 

[MartinE]

Sorry if I am hijacking, but I think there needs to be a way of looking at different brands and Kelvin of MH with and without acitincs on tanks on the web, so people can avoid buying something that they dont like. Maybe listing PAR and other info on the bulb, reflector, different size tanks etc. Then you can choose the best bulb for your needs be it looks, or actual light intensity or both.

 

[Anonymous]

Can't help with the 20K's. Never used them.

Did you ever try the Reeflux 10K's? If so, who did you like them?

Louey

 

[GSchiemer]

Len,

What wattage are you talking about and what form (SE or DE)?

FWIW, I recently tried Catalina's 400W SE 20K bulb and I like it a lot. I'm not a fan of the typical monochromatic look of 20K bulbs but this bulb is more of a blue-white in apparent color.

I also like IceCap's 400W DE 20K bulb. It too renders a nice blue-white color that really highlights the coral coloration without the typical "drab" appearance of 20K bulbs, such as the Radium.

I also recently tried the XM 15K and 20K bulbs in 400W and hated them both.

Greg

 

[Anonymous]

I thought the XM 20 K was okay. I use 10 K's now and like them much better. I think 14K's would be best without actinic supplements.

 

[GSchiemer]

The problem with saying "20K," "14K," etc. is that it's virtually meaningless. Most of these advertised Kelvin ratings are nothing more than marketing schemes and have little to do with reality; therefore you can't compare bulbs based upon advertised Kelvin ratings.

 

[macc415583]

What ballast are you using ?

The ballast makes a huge difference in the performance of any bulb.

I've run 20k Radiums on 400 watt blueline eballasts and had some dramatic results on coloration of sps corals. Sps corals colored up dramatically under the 20k Radium.

A reefer friend used a 400 watt PFO HQI ballast to run the bulbs and they burned an incredibly bright bluish white. He got even less usable life out of those bulbs by overdriving them. The HQI ballasts draw over 5 amps each.

The problem I had with them was that they seemed to lose spectrum at the six month point. It got expensive changing those bulbs twice a year.

mike

 

[Len]

400W SE. Icecap electronic ballast.

I'm using 14K Aquaconnects right now but I'm tempted to experiment with other bulbs.

 

[Anonymous]

Radiums are awesome, Len. Be prepared for the blueness!

Peace,

Chip

 

[GSchiemer]

400W SE. Icecap electronic ballast.

I'm using 14K Aquaconnects right now but I'm tempted to experiment with other bulbs.

Okay. I like the new Catalina 20K bulb in 400W SE, as I described above. I also like the Reeflux 10K and Coralvue 10K in 400W SE versions. I've used them all successfully with the IceCap electronic ballast. The XM 10K bulb is okay, but I've found it to be inconsistent in color and quality. The XM 15K is worthless, IMHO. The XM 20K is too blue for me, as well as the Radium.

Greg

 

[MelanieF]

Actually... on RC in the lighting forum there is a comparison w/ PAR info, ballast comparisons, pics, etc but like I said... it's on RC. *GASP* :lol:

I just found it last night and found it pretty helpful in planning my next lighting upgrade.

 

[GSchiemer]

You're referring to Sanjay Joshi's "Reef Lighting Page," which can be found here:

http://www.reeflightinginfo.arvixe.com/

Greg

 

[MelanieF]

Props to Sanjay for the work but there are links to comparisons done by others as well... in thread of "Metal Halide-Bulb and Ballast FAQ Info". I know many people frequent both boards so please don't be offended for the reference. :wink: