What's the Best bulb to run in this situation?

[revhtree]

What's the Best SE bulb to run in this situation?

I want the most PAR i can get without running a 10k bulb. The setup will be 2 MH's over a 4 ft tank.

ARO 250w electronic ballast with an SE bulb.

Thanks.

 

[revhtree]

Also how do you feel about Radiums with this set up? Can it be done?

 

[BigBadZoaDaddy]

I belive the icecap is pretty close to the ARO I would assume, both electronic?
http://www.reeflightinginfo.arvixe.com/selectperformancedata.php
Here are the # from sanjays site on lighting.

Krystal Star 250W 11000K SE 1 Icecap 250W Electronic ppfd(par) 102

Have no Idea what that brand is but it is not 10K

the next closest is

Aquaconnect 250W 14000K SE 1 Icecap 250W Electronic ppfd(par) 83
another one I don't know?

and last...

Happy Reefing 250W 20000K SE 1 Icecap 250W Electronic ppfd(par) 74

if the ARO is more like the reef fanatic ballast this is the bulb I would go with

Aquaconnect 250W 14000K SE 1 Reef Fanatic 250W Electronic ppfd(par) 96

Radiums high K get low par unless being overdriven. That is what I have got out of the info anyways.

 

[mfinn]

I am a big fan of the Hamilton 14k bulb also.
Zoanthids look great under them.

 

[killingseed2000]

xm 15 true blue or ice blue, so far its the only bulb i have got to use frist hand and love it. i want growth and some blue. i didnt want to go 20k.

 

[surfn]

best par ratings for a non-10k bulb on electronic ballast (SE)

1) Aquaconnect 14k
2) Hamilton 14k
3) Radium 20k

aquaconnect would be my choice hands down.....only reason i've never gone that route before was they were IMPOSSIBLE to find. so no point in getting that bulb if you can't find a replacement when you need it.

but premium aquatics apparently has them in stock now......really wish i knew that cuz i'm tired of changing radium bulbs every 6 months

 

[revhtree]

Ok great info.

So the Radiums only last 6 months?

 

[jessp]

I also love the 14k hamiltons

 

[Deepwater]

best par ratings for a non-10k bulb on electronic ballast (SE)

1) Aquaconnect 14k
2) Hamilton 14k
3) Radium 20k

aquaconnect would be my choice hands down.....only reason i've never gone that route before was they were IMPOSSIBLE to find. so no point in getting that bulb if you can't find a replacement when you need it.

but premium aquatics apparently has them in stock now......really wish i knew that cuz i'm tired of changing radium bulbs every 6 months

Great choices surf
I llove the look of the aquaconnects , They are sweet ,bit pricey but worth the money .
Hamilonts are good too

Try the xm with icecap ballast some peeps like that combo to , BUt if you want eye poppin look

coralvue ballst with reeflux bulbs 12k with some t5 supps AMAZING <but the par is less ,

 

[BigBadZoaDaddy]

xm 15 true blue or ice blue, so far its the only bulb i have got to use frist hand and love it. i want growth and some blue. i didnt want to go 20k.

A 15 K XM has less PAr than there 20 K I am pretty sure? I never understood that?

 

[rpogge2]

Go here:
http://www.cnidarianreef.com/lamps.cfm

every imaginable 250w MH bulb PAR measured and compared every combination of ballast imaginable, with pictures in tank also.

Pictures at top of page, scroll to bottom for PAR charts.

This should give you the exact answer you are lookign for

 

[killingseed2000]

nice linky

 

[surfn]

XM bulbs are terrible on electronic ballasts. only time i'd ever run an XM20k bulbs, is on a magnetic ballast at 400w. 15k isn't even worth buying.

 

[BigBadZoaDaddy]

XM bulbs are terrible on electronic ballasts. only time i'd ever run an XM20k bulbs, is on a magnetic ballast at 400w. 15k isn't even worth buying.

^^^^^^^^That is what I was thinkin.^^^^^^

I am lookin at runnin the 400 XM 20K(ppfd=128) and a 400 EVC 10K(ppfd=204!) side by side on a light mover, over a 4x4 area.

anyone know how to convert snajays ppfd value to PAR?

 

[killingseed2000]

XM bulbs are terrible on electronic ballasts. only time i'd ever run an XM20k bulbs, is on a magnetic ballast at 400w. 15k isn't even worth buying.

i see that now after reviewing that link some. i see that xm 10 k is up there. i may have to review it later some more and see what might be my next bulbs. i will say i so far like that color i get some it. i get back after i review some more later after my local club meeting.

 

[killingseed2000]

oh if i had look at that link before i got the xm 15ki might have goten something different.

 

[BigBadZoaDaddy]

oh if i had look at that link before i got the xm 15ki might have goten something different.

IMO the 20 K gives ya moer par and better color, next time.
BTW don't worry I have 15K in the junk drawer also cause I did the same thing!

 

[msman825]

anyone run a 12k reeflux se