best bulb for hamilton hqi ballast?

OC CJ · #1 12/31/2007, 05:41 PM

hey guys, just got a gift cert to marine depot so my options are limited. i'm running a 250w reefstar hqi setup right now with the stock hamilton 14k bulb. the light is an intense white but doesn't have much blue at all.

i've been told that this hamilton ballast actually overdrives the bulbs to the 300w range. i like the phoenix color but i'm afraid overdriving it may produce similar color to what i have now. I was thinking of a 20k to since if it's overdriven it will be less blue then normal.

here are my options from marinedepot that are in my price range

14k ushio
14k phoenix
14k blue life sps
15k xm
20k ushio
20k xm
20k blue life sps

help me choose!

reefmaster805 · #2 12/31/2007, 06:35 PM

i would personally use a Ushio bulb. german made, the best. 14k or 20k , depends on how much "blue" you are after. I have the ushio 14k on my mani tank and a xm15k on a frag tank. The xm color is great so far.....good luck with your decision....

OC CJ · #3 12/31/2007, 06:37 PM

how is your xm vs the 14k ushio? which one is bluer and how blue?

FOSELONE · #4 12/31/2007, 07:47 PM

yo cj...why not ask hamilton direct...Dave@hamiltontechnology.com

OC CJ · #5 12/31/2007, 08:23 PM

hey javier, just sent him an email. we'll see what they have to say. i want a nice blue tint but i don't want the tank to drown out in blue. if this ballast does overdrive the bulb, i fear a 14k bulk will be too white as my hamilton bulb is.

SteveOhh · #6 12/31/2007, 08:38 PM

I'd put $40 w/ it & get an Aqualine 20k...............

If it's overdriving, it'll make it more in the 13-16k range...............just the blue you want!!!!

JOSE CASAS · #7 12/31/2007, 08:47 PM

I have a 20k Ushio u can try it is only i week old.

OC CJ · #8 12/31/2007, 08:47 PM

hey steve, that's why i'm leaning towards the 20k bulbs.

you have expensive taste, you picked the most expensive one!! not sure i can stomach 110 bucks for a bulb.

i ran the 20k xm bulbs a long time ago on my old tank, SE version and had great growth. i know the par rating isn't the greatest but i'm sure if this ballast is overdriving it that will help boost par a tad. i'm waiting to see what hamilton says on the wattage rating.

reefmaster805 · #9 12/31/2007, 08:52 PM

save yourself time, money and headaches, buy an electronic ballast. it automaticlly adjusts to the bulb. lasts much longer than a magnetic ballast and is more efficiant.

OC CJ · #10 12/31/2007, 08:58 PM

hey jose, i'm just might take you up on that.

not looking to buy a new ballast. mine works perfect and i like the idea that it could be overdriving the bulb a bit. plus, the electronic ballasts on the hqi's aren't as bright... so i've read lately.

reef_doug · #11 12/31/2007, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by FOSELONE
yo cj...why not ask hamilton direct...Dave@hamiltontechnology.com

I think we all know what the answer would be if he asked them that question.

H) none of the above

golfish · #12 12/31/2007, 10:36 PM

is there a reason to change bulbs? How are your corals doing?

wishntoboutside · #13 12/31/2007, 11:13 PM

the phoenix bulb is a pretty popular bulb good par and long life. i am happy with it however i would like to try an aqualine or a geisemann, but the cost are very hmm spendy

five.five-six · #14 01/01/2008, 06:34 AM

I am realy leaning to the ab 10K for my next set of lamps.... man they are pricey

savethereef · #15 01/01/2008, 01:12 PM

same for me i have ran the XM 20k SE for about 2 years now. My next bulb will be a 14K my current ballast is a 250w dual M58 Ansi from Hamilton Tech.

OC CJ · #16 01/01/2008, 06:47 PM

well, my corals are doing great, great growth overall but i just want more color. the tank is nice and bright but none of the corals pop. i don't use actinic supplementation since i have an open top and the reefstar doesn't allow me to add anything. i'd like to get a nice blue-ish color, not over powering, until i get a new fixture with t5 actinics.

gregm5 · #17 01/02/2008, 12:15 AM

i love my pheonix 14k bulbs on an hqi ballast. i love the color the put out

OC CJ · #18 01/02/2008, 10:52 PM

well, after a lot of research and reading par ratings, color and what not, i guess i'm going with the phoenix bulb. I had one on my 150 viper on my nano and like the color and growth, i guess i was just looking for something different but marinedepot didn't offer too much i was interested in.

the phoenix bulb, according to sanjay joshi charts, has similar performance to the ushio 10k and seems to outperform my hamilton while producing much better color.

unless anyone objects, i'll be picking one up tomorrow.