Which mH bulb should I buy?

[AliKat]

As many of you know, I have a 55 tall that I got from someone else. It has an mH fixture (single mH with 2 actinics), and I'm thinking it's time to get another bulb. I'm not sure what wattage the current one is, but I'm thinking of just ordering one online.

So, which bulb should I get? What's going to be the best wattage, color, etc? I know nothing about these bulbs.

Thanks for your help!

[reefturkey]

I personaly like either the 14K bulbs or my preference the Radium 20K bulb. For good growth you may go with a 10K but for me the way it looks is just as important so I went with a Radium 20K. It is a crisp white with a hint of blue and pretty high PAR for a 20K bulb.

[AliKat]

Yep, looks are important to me, too. Thanks!

[AliKat]

Oh, which wattage did you get? Looks like they are available in 250W and 400W

[RONCGIZMO]

Don't buy anything until you know what the wattage is on the bulb you hav now....you must buy the same or it will not work

[AliKat]

How can I find out what wattage the bulb is? I know, probably a dumb question, but this is my first experience with mH lights.

[RONCGIZMO]

Look on the ballast it self.. it should say (someplace) 150w, 175w, 250w, 400w, etc. you also need to get the right bulb it might say M57, M59, M107,..etc see if you can find and number or code like that or take a pic of the label and post it.

[AliKat]

There is no writing of any sort on the bulb. I'll look on the ballast. Is there anywhere else I should look?

Thanks!

[AliKat]

Okay on the ballast it says "175 Watt Metal Halide Ballast", "120 volts" and 2** watts (can't make out the numbers after 2).

Any guess what kind of bulb I should get? I want something that is going to make my anemones, corals, and polyps grow like crazy and something that will also make the tank look pretty.

Please let me know what you think, as I want to get this ordered ASAP. Please also let me know if there are any etailers you can recommend.

[kdblove_99]

iwasaki 15K