Mh Bulbs

[Zuska]

OK I need 2 new mh bulbs. I took out the bulb and it says MH-150W 14000K. I dont know the brand of it... But need new bulbs. I want to run a 10000k bulb on each bulb. 150w each. I also for got to say its a dual end buld which is a double ended bulb. I need to know what brands are the best...

 

[masterswimmer]

The best one is the one you like the best. Personal preference makes all the difference.

swimmer

 

[Deanos]

The best one is the one you like the best.

 

[masterswimmer]

That sums it up very well.

 

[rfny75]

I had the 14K 250 watts double ended, didn't like the light cast that much, I just switched to XM 10k and I just LOVE them, they give you the perfect 12 noon sunshine! Hope this helps.

 

[Zuska]

anyone else?

 

[fritz]

Bulbs very greatly from one wattage to another. You'll find that the color temp for each bulb is an arbitrary number and not based on spectrograph analysis. A DE 150 watt 10k bulb from company X will likely be a different color than the same model in the 250watt flavor. This is due to the "mix" used to create the color off the bulb. In essence, if you have a recipe that makes 4 servings, when you try to up it to make 20 servings it's hard to get it exactly the same.

Your ballast will also play a huge role in how the bulb burns. Your best bet is likely to do a tour of tanks that use the same ballast as you firing 150s. Then when you find a combo that you like go with it. FWIW, I always liked the stock bulbs the current ships with the sunpods (Powerpaq), Pheonix also makes a nice 14k and XM makes a nice 10K that IMO is very natural looking.

 

[Zuska]

so your saying that the XM 10k can go into the sunpod and everything will be ok? i have a 36 inch sunpod light fixture...

 

[rfny75]

I would think so, I have the " current " sunpod 48" fixture and the XM double ended 10k fit in there, if you like the yellow'ish cast of noon sunlight, this is the bulb to get!

 

[Zuska]

uhuh i see. i was thinking of getting the 10k also... how much do they run for and whre is the best deal to get them? and the best brand? XM I have read up on and seen its the best so far? any better?

 

[rfny75]

I got them from Dr Foster and Smith, the 150w are $70 and the 250w are $80/each

 

[Tonyscoots84]

if your gonna go with the 10 k xm in the sunpod fixture ur gonna be unhappy with the yellowish tint.. i would think someone such as urself would be happier with a blue bulb such as a 14k... i would look into that or a reeflux 10k bulb might do you good. i would ask for opinions on the reeflux in 150 watts cause ive never seen that but my 250 watts with actnic bulbs really look nice....

 

[tosiek]

There is a huuuge list of the best bulbs in about 30 other posts about DE MH's. There have been 2 posts this month alone asking the same question your asking.

Lrn2SearchFeature

sorry i had to :Starwars:

 

[tosiek]

:arg: and remember the bulbs change slightly depending on the ballast your using :wink1:

 

[rfny75]

This website helped me a lot with picking the right halide bulb I wanted, it's all personal preference, so there's no good and bad, the more you get opinions, the more you'll confuse yourself, believe me, I've been there!
http://www.cnidarianreef.com/lamps.cfm

 

[autoponicz]

agree with rfny75.....i was searching for a set of 150w de bulbs and read up on forums and asked around....evryone gave me different answers......

i have the current outer orbit with 2x150w mh and 4 t5ho....i guess the ballast they use for thier 150w is the same on all thier fixtures.....but i decided to go with the phoenix 14k bulbs because alot that have used the phoenix 14k was on sunpods and love it....well...after they have burned in.......its nothing like 14k...its more like a 12k....its more white than blue...im happy with mine....ice white and just a little blue...with my actinics on....its a nice blend.....i think 10k without actinics will be on the yellow side....there are people running 10k's and its not yellow.....but those bulbs are 250w and up......etc...etc....etc.....this subject can never close....

 

[reefman]

i got 1 of each of my wattage n temp n made my decision.

btw: bulbs have a burn in period to see their true color.

 

[Zuska]

so reefman what do you think? 14k or 10k for a sunpod?

 

[sweetsop]

www.hellolights.com

 

[reefman]

i like the 14k, but maybe for my own reasons.
i dont use actinics.
if i use actinics n my tank has too much purple n blue i may go with 10k.