Time to change MH SE bulbs, Hamilton 14ks or Reeflux 12ks
 

I am running hamiltons now and I do like the look. Would be interested in hearing anyones opinion, as to which of these bulbs is the best balance as far as color vs growth.

I am a huge fan of my reeflux 12ks

I am wondering same thing, does any one have a pic of a tank with 250w 12k reeflux and how is the par compared to other 12-14k bulbs?

Do they make reeflux 12 k's in a single ended, 400W bulb?

[QUOTE][i]<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11568336#post11568336 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Briankook [/i]
[B]Do they make reeflux 12 k's in a single ended, 400W bulb? [/B][/QUOTE]


Yes they do

I've been satisfied with the Reeflux 12k. Ran the Hamilton 14k, and it's a nice bulb also but I prefer the reeflux.

Hamilton 14K.
In my opinion without supplements the reeflux looks awful and is not very bright

Thanks for all of the replys, I am still checking the whole situation out.

Radiums are better then both of those bulbs and will have more output then the reeflux 12k's which are fairly poor in output. The lifespan of radium bulbs is questionable, especially in the 400 watt SE version which typically is only good for 6 months or so.

the XM 10K produce a *sic* amount of PAR, but it's a clean white look.

Should specify that the bulbs I ran were 250w. Wasn't too impressed with the 250w radium and actually sold it to get the Reeflux 12k.

jpluttme (or anyone else for that matter), on what kind of ballast do you run your 12k reeflux? Do you supplement? How would you describe the color without supplementation?

oct2274, I've heard some of the lifespan issues with the Radium are due to the bulbs not being run at spec wattage. I think I'm going to pick up at least one and try it out on a new icecap ballast. For the 250s, Radium's actual spec is 270w and the new icecap ballast is spec'd at 265w, maybe this will help the lifespan. It will definitely run the bulb closer to spec than a regular electronic ballast or a true HQI.

I was actually thinking one Reeflux 12k and one Radium just so I can get good head-to-head comparisons of the two.

I am pleased with the Reeflux 12k. It is quite blue so you do need to like that look.

I like the look of the reeflux 12k 250. It was on the blue side when first fired up but has burned in nicely to a crisp blueish white. The only thing is that I am not convinced of the par or growth rates yet. I am thinking of switching to the xm10k.

I do agree Radiums are very nice and what i use in 250W

I switched from Hamilton 14ks to the Reeflux and I love it. My SPS has really colored up with them too. You have to run them on E-ballasts though or they don't push the best color.
Look on tank of the month at Acroporanuts tank. He is running the 12ks with no supplements, he has 400w but the 250s look the same.

he was running a mix of 10k and 12k reeflux's and yes. it did look really nice

I like the Hamilton 14K bulb. Really nice color.

Hamilton 14k has nice color in my tank.