Another dumb lighting??

[Awibrandy]

I've been using the 10K ones. I don't really like the color of my corals. They look to white to me. I would like to try something else. From what I have found the XM only come in the following. I am thinking of going with the 15K since I don't really like a very blue look either. What do you guys/gals think? Anyone use the 15K, and what do you think of them?

XM MH Lamps
10,000K MH SE Lamp The XM 10K lamp is crisp white in color and is designed to simulate sunlight at shallow depths in the ocean. XM 10,000K lamps have the highest average par rating of any lamp on the market today.

15,000K MH SE Lamp The XM 15K lamp is designed to provide the correct spectrum of light without the use of actinic supplementation. This lamp alone creates a crisp blue color similar to medium depths on the coral reefs.

20,000K MH SE Lamp The XM 20K lamp is the preferred lamp of many well known coral farmers and distributors. The 20,000K produces a deep blue appearance that brings out color like no other spectrum. This lamp creates a look similar to those found on deeper levels of the coral reefs.

 

[noodleman]

i use the 20k's because they have better PAR rating than the 15k's (go figure), i don't use actinics either thro :flower:

 

[jackson6745]

Awibrandy, what wattage and what ballasts are you using?

The XM 10k is a nice INTENSE bulb but without actinic supplementation, you won't get much fluorescence to your corals and you will have an overly white look.

 

[Timbo]

I use a phoenix 14k and like it.

 

[NYreefNoob]

i liked the phoinex 14k's as well

 

[ZZROCOOL]

I use Radium 400watt with HQI ballast. THey give you the perfect balance between white and blue. I also use 2 95 watt vho's actinic as well. Take a look at greenwichaquaria.com and you'll see why radium!

 

[House of Laughter]

Timbo, Noob, Wilda is running SE bulbs, so, Pheonix is out.

Wilda, closest thing to the pheonix color and par that I have seen is the coralvue ballast reeflux 12k combo. This is the closest thing I have seen that gives a nice blue and good par.

I believe Tony from RE uses these exclusively? on his 450g reef.

House

 

[Vir]

Timbo, Noob, Wilda is running SE bulbs, so, Pheonix is out.

Wilda, closest thing to the pheonix color and par that I have seen is the coralvue ballast reeflux 12k combo. This is the closest thing I have seen that gives a nice blue and good par.

I believe Tony from RE uses these exclusively? on his 450g reef.

House[/quote i run pheonix but (jim) the man

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

:irked: Awilda from you there are no dumb q's!!

 

[Awibrandy]

Thank you fellas!!
The ballast is quite old. It is M57, 175 watt X 3, I believe it is a pulse start. One thing I did learn (the hard way) is that the Ushio bulbs are made differently now and will not be fired up by this ballast. I honestly do not know what other brand this ballast will fire.

Richie, I do run actinics. 1 Super actinic, and 1 white actinic because when the mh are not on (10am to 5pm) I don't want my tank looking so blue. I've seen other peoples tanks with just the super actinics, and it is way dark.

Jim, the ballast may very well be an old coralvue. I did read some revues that coralvue is now making crappy bulbs. And back to the issue of this old ballast is that I do not know what it will fire, and what it won't other then the XM.

 

[Awibrandy]

:irked: Awilda from you there are no dumb q's!!

Thank you Chief! You are a sweat heart!!:hug:

 

[aaron23]

I did read some revues that coralvue is now making crappy bulbs.

!!! i use coralvue and 10k Reeflux as well the same that Tony uses, I run the 400w bulb with lumenarcs (SE), and I can say that its a great bulb and it requires no supplement, its like a white shimmering blue .. :knockedou

 

[Awibrandy]

Aaron, not saying that they are crappy. I've never used them. That is what I read on one of the online stores review.

I'd rather run the 2-140watt VHO during the day hours, and the MH during the evenings for a few hours for the corals benefit. As I understand MH can drive the electric bill up quite a bit. My electric bill is through the roof as it is without the help of the MH.lol

 

[aaron23]

hmm i didnt know you switched off :d....

i guess any print on the ballast to figure out what kind of ballast it is?

 

[JLAudio]

Ive been researching this a bit myself and was reading some great stuff about reeflux 12k bulbs. I was contemplating purchasing phoenix 14k but they are really blue which make the colors pop but some of the other details arents as pronounced due to the rich blue color.

Look in to these reeflux, supposedly there's enough blue to go without actinics, but white enough for good water penetration and brightness

 

[Awibrandy]

I took a look at Tony's from RE pic, and I to me that is to blue!

Aaron, I don't want a blue look in my tank. Hence the reason for 1 super & 1 white actinic..

The ballast that came with the Hamilton Fixture I have was made by "Energy Savers Unlimited, Inc." located in Harbor City, Ca. 90710 Model # AFBMH175 MHA, Serial # 2254. The fixture is approximately 10yrs. old.

J, I did try out 1 reflux along with the 2 old ushio last year, and neither my husband nor I liked the blue from the reflux.

 

[JLAudio]

Good to know, because I was ready to buy it after what I read about it

 

[Awibrandy]

J, don't take our opinion for it! See if you can borrow a bulb or two from someone, and try it out.

 

[JLAudio]

I want a nice blue too so if it doesnt have that its not what im looking for, but thanks

 

[jackson6745]

Awilida, since you're using 175w halides, I would not change bulbs. The blue 175w bulbs are very dim, especially on a big tank like yours. IMO I would keep the 10k xm and ad some more t5's to balance the color.

Wattage and ballast is just as, if not more important than bulb selection.