recommendations please

[charliethetuna88]

i got a 120 gal im housing many softies right now and maybe later some caps if possable, i was wondering what bulbs to use i want something like a 14 k or a 12 k something with some blue in it, so i dont have to run my 4 110watt vho atinics any more to much heat and light for my softies i think, i really dont wanna run all of the halides and vhos what bulb would u guys recommend for this setup the bulbs i was running were the 12 k sunburst which were nice but dont last at all the color fade fast

 

[ezee]

charliethetuna88,

From what I have seen, I would go with 20K's. They put out more PAR than 14's, for my brand anyway (XM), or so I have read. They also are much more blue than 10K's. If you want more information from someone who has researched it try googling "Sanjay" "Metal Halides" "Aquarium".

E

 

[charliethetuna88]

thanks bro but do u think 20k would be to blue i dont want it to look just atinic u know what im saying

 

[ezee]

charlie,

I run vho super actinics and they look nothing like my XMs. The XM 20K is a very clear white with blue accent. No yellow. Not very blue either but color can be a subjective thing. You should see a set for yourself, Sean of Aquatic Creations uses XM 20K's and he has 10K's for comparison. If you can take a look before you buy, I would.

E

 

[charliethetuna88]

so ur using a 20 k xm and housing softies or sps

 

[charliethetuna88]

yeh i would love to see the color before i have 4 48 inch vho super atinics but i really dont think i need all that light for softies its a waste of money on the con ed bill whatta u think

 

[jackson6745]

Charlie you were running 175's right? For a softie tank 14k hamiltons are nice (based on seeing the 250w version) If you're going to keep SPS a blue 175w on a 120 is very dim.

 

[charliethetuna88]

so do u think the 14k would give me the best of both worlds and the blue affect im looking for and also is hamilton the brand u would go with becuase the sunbursts suck

 

[charliethetuna88]

yeh i think 20 k is a little 2 much

 

[jackson6745]

so do u think the 14k would give me the best of both worlds and the blue affect im looking for and also is hamilton the brand u would go with becuase the sunbursts suck

I never saw sunbursts but the hamilton 14k is pretty nice and have a good rep. I don't have much experience with 175w bulbs though.

The best 250w 14k that I have seen is the aquaconnects but they're too expensive. I hear good things about reeflux 10k (supposed to be blue/white) but I've only seen the 400w and 250w, not the 175.

 

[prattreef]

If you are running 175's I would definitely check out the new Iwasaki 14K lamps. I believe Icecap is selling them. Sanjay just reviewed them and they seem to have very high PAR and nice color. I think there is a thread on RC in the Icecap forum with pictures and a link to Sanjay's article.

Randy

 

[charliethetuna88]

thanks guys

 

[jackson6745]

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=6693222

 

[Tonyscoots84]

wow..... thanks for that link.. the hamiltons are a nice blueish color and bright and the iwasaki are white....

i think imma go for the 14 k hamiltons...

 

[charliethetuna88]

yah hamiltons what im looking for thanks rich