Has anyone used both 10k and 12k reeflux bulbs?

jy544 · #1 01/02/2008, 08:22 PM

Has anyone used both 10k and 12k 250w se reeflux bulbs? I have used the 250w se 10k bulb on a icecap ballast and I like it but, I would like a little more blue. The par values for the 12k's are not very good but, I would like to find out from someone that has used them both to compare the growth and color they experienced with them.

Tbduval · #2 01/03/2008, 12:22 AM

I used both the reefflux 10k & 12k. I first started out with the 10k's. They looked good but not quite what I was looking for, wanted more blue. Then I decided for the 12k's and have never looked back. They start out quite blue but burn in a nice color. Grow rate has never really changed between any of the bulbs I have used. The color of the color I get on 12k's are amazing.

jy544 · #3 01/03/2008, 06:57 AM

Did you use 250 w single ends?

jy544 · #4 01/05/2008, 09:03 AM

^^^

teog · #5 01/05/2008, 09:41 AM

Im going to be ordering one of these two bulbs too. any feed back is appreciated.

Tbduval · #6 01/05/2008, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jy544
Did you use 250 w single ends?

I use the 250w SE. I love the bulbs. If I had to chose, I would use the 12k's. It took some time to to get to the bulbs because I was not use the that much blue in the tank. However, once the bulbs burnt in, they produce a great color. I do not run any other lighting in the tank except for the Reefflux 12k's. HTH. If I could ever learn how to post pics I could so you some of the difference between the color of the tank and the corals.

markandkristen · #7 01/05/2008, 07:13 PM

i am a 12k fan myself.. i have tried a few bulbs if i say so myself. even aquaconnects.. i think for the price they cant be beat..

when you first get the 12ks they may look a little blue but they whiten up to a whitish blue..

its like you get the natural colors plus a hugh of blue....

for once i can say i am satisfied.
LOL

jy544 · #8 01/05/2008, 08:08 PM

How is your growth with the 12k's? I am getting really good growth with the 10k's now but, I have always used xm 20k bulbs. I like the look of a bluer tank better than the 10k's. My growth with the 20k's were pretty slow though. According to the charts Reeflux 12's have less par then the xm 20ks.

markandkristen · #9 01/06/2008, 08:09 PM

its hard to judge a bulb just on par in my experience..

i think tank of the month a few months back can comment on the growth of the bulbs.. he says he got the same with 12ks ...

my growth seems to be pretty good.

Tbduval · #10 01/07/2008, 06:53 PM

I agree with markandkristen. In the past, I always used 10k's Ushio with T-12 actinic lighting but it was not the look I was going for. Then I switched it for the 10k's Reefflux and it was much better. Then I tried the out the Reefflux 12k's and it was exactly what I was looking for. I got rid of the T-12 lighting because I felt it was just wasting power. My growth under the 12k's is just as good as, if not better, than the 10k's Ushio were and the colors are now insane. I believe that PAR has a lot of merit in keeping coral but the reefs are way more complex than just that.