What bulb and where to get it?

[modifyd]

I have the coralife aqualight pro with 2 150w metal halides and 2 96w PC's and it's time for me to replace the bulbs and was wondering what a good bulb choice would be? Where could I buy these aswell, I was thinking about a 14k or 20k but am undecided, I also know coralife bulbs are not high quality so a better company would be nice. This is to hold me over untill I can replace this unit with a T5 set up on my 55 gal Mixed reef. Thanks

 

[Hypertek99]

If it's SE get the radium 20k if you can afford it. If not get the reefoptics 20k bulb as i have been using it for years and i love it. It's cheap and gives nice colors. The ushio 20k is pretty nice too for SE. If it's DE i would get radium 20k or phoenix 14k

 

[modifyd]

I don't know what the coral life bulbs are but they say HQI?

 

[Hypertek99]

It's it double ended or just a single end screw type bulb?? HQI usually are DE's.

 

[AquaWorldPSC]

Aqualight Pros are HQI double-ended. I would recommend the AquaConnect 14k bulbs. There was a study done and there was more par put out per watt than any other bulb. I can't seem to find the link though. They give really nice growing power and great color.

 

[modifyd]

Thanks for the info!

 

[Nader]

I like the Iwasaki Aqua2 14k in the 175watt SE but I see they have the Iwasaki Aqua2 double ended HQI in a 150 watt 20k 8000 lumens. I have never seen the 150's personally and do not know what they look like but lumens is only 500 less than the 175. The 175 watt light is a crisp clean light (par is close to a 250) and if you like the bluer side you would have to supplement the 175. Here is Sanjay's quick review of the 175 http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2005/12/review#h12

Here is where I found the bulb http://www.coralreefecosystems.com/ltg_bulbs-mh.asp

 

[kgross]

Myself I like the Phoenix 14K bulbs.

Kim