400w HQI 20K bulbs.. hmmmmmm

[SnowManSnow]

So I think I'll take a chance with a 400w 20K. There are only a few reputable brands out there.

Here are a few that I've found.
1) PFO 400w HQI 20,000K
http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_lig ... 0K_pfo.asp

2)Coral Vue 400w HQI 20,000K
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant ... de=mh-400w

3) CrystalStar 400w HQI 20,000K
http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/stor ... =lb-h4020q



HONESTLY, thats about all I can find. Are there more out there? What would YOU do? Anyone with real life EXPERIANCE with these things?

Thanks,

B

 

[SnowManSnow]

oh.. my other option is to add 48w of t5 actinic inside my hood. t5 because i have very limited space and they would fit at only 2" per reflector.

B

 

[trido]

Ouch, the $$ of those 400s make me appreciated the 250s. I have no experience with any of those but I would buy the PFO only because the name is so used in ballasts and fixtures lately.

 

[SnowManSnow]

Yea, that's what I was thinking.

The actinic T5 deal doesn't sound bad to me either. If I went that route it would allow for a 24hr lighting program (along with moon lights fixed inside the canopy).

Also, with higher K bulbs, don't you loose intensity?????? The T5s would actually add a little power to my setup... like I need it.

B

 

[bleedingthought]

I say try the PFO HQI 20000K. You don't need more intensity, anyways. You'll be losing some PAR but gaining some coloration.

 

[trido]

Ya, I doubt the loss of par will have any ill effects on your tank. BTW, how are your corals doing after raising your pendant?

 

[SnowManSnow]

corals are actually doing a lot better. It's a little bit less light, but I think the big differance is that the temp stays an even 77 day and night now, as opposed to getting up to 82 or sometimes 84~

The thing with either going 20k 400w or adding VHO or T5 is that I can control the amount of blue. Im just kinda afraid of one of 2 things. 1... the PFO 20k doesnt look any differnet than my hamilton 14k or 2... its just plain too blue.

Although it would be a lot of light, I dont think that pure actinic would harm the corals If I added say 150w of it to my current setup.

B

 

[shavo]

can I ad something here if you don't mind, I was skimming through the posts here and saw the price tag on the bulbs (400) watt double ended metal halides and they are more expensive than I thought.
I just purchased 6 pcs. (150) watt double ended metal halides for reef tank applications directly from hong kong. I purchased them for the whopping price of 12 dollars each plus 5 dollars a bulb for shipping. totalling 17 dollars. they retail around 50 to 60 dollars each.

my question is, is it really necessary to purchase a certain "make or brand name" for the bulb? just curious

also I wanted to post a website for anybody looking to buy some new power compacts, there are also metal halides there but i found cheaper. the power compacts I can not find cheaper anywhere. just incase you guys are interested in looking. I ordered this week i will repost after i recieve them.

http://aquaticfactory.com/index.php?cPath=21