considering the 250w se aquaconnect's

[kinerson]

Are these worth there money? I will be running them on a standard magnetic 250w ballast along with vho supplements. The ppfd is 62 which isn't super high but I really like there color. Anyone out there using these and getting good results from there sps? Is there a better choice with a similar color?
Thanks guys,
Greg

[Emster]

They are some of the best SE bulbs, I run mine on electronic and they do need actinic supp. I also love my phoenix 14k DE ran on m80 hqi ballast, don't need any actinic supplements for them so you save on bulb purchases and electric, they are also $55.00 each. So I might switch over to them next time on the main tank. Hope this helps

[kinerson]

What kind of a life span can you get from them? It may be worth the extra $ if they last longer. Also, where's the cheapest place to buy them?
Thanks a bunch,
Greg

[Emster]

I get 9 months out of mine on electronics at 6 hours a day. I believe the phoenix last longer when they are on HQI ballasts, the AC might just last longer on a m80 ballast too because they are HQI rated too.

[kinerson]

hmmm, I wonder how they would do on a standard magnetic ballast m58

[Emster]

I just checked, the m58 is a probe-start ballast and the AC is a pulse start bulb so the reliability and the longevity will be sacrificed.

[kdblove_99]

I personally don't think any bulb is worth over $100!

I use Radium 20K's and would never spend anything over what i pay for these which is a lot also

[kinerson]

Emster- Thanks for your homework. I really didn't want to spend $115.

[kinerson]

Emster- where did/do you check to know what type of lamp your dealing with? I guess it makes sense to go with a probe-start lamp seeing how that's what my ballast is.

[Emster]

Our local fish store hands out info on ballasts and bulbs. There is also a sticky at the top of this forum that will tell you all this.

[kinerson]

Thanks for all your help today