12k reeflux

[teen]

ok, this is a lighting question, but im trying to get an idea on how sps corals are going to look under this bulb.

so, im currently running a 250w 14k phoenix bulb over my 30 gallon. i like the color, but imo, it was similar to my 14k hamilton bulb.

i need a new bulb, so im looking at the 12k reeflux. ive heard it makes the blues look amazing, but other colors are sacrificed. is this true in your experience with the bulb?

if you have pics of this bulb, either fts or individual sps corals, please post them. i would really like to see some blues, but also what it has to offer for other colors, like purples, oranges, and greens.

and also, how would you rate the growth with this bulb? similar to a 10k or about average like a 14k?

thanks

[zibba]

I will try to get some pictures up by this weekend. My tank is relatively new - but I just switched today from 250w 14k Pheonix to 250w 12k Reeflux. I obviously can't comment on growth at this point. I'm sure the colors will change a bit on the 12k bulb since they haven't been broken in, but the 12k put out a very light blue and extremely crisp white color. I'm seeing more purple colors pop from my tank - but again - I've only had this on for a few hours so far. I also supplement with actinics.

Hopefully others will post some pics with their 12k reeflux.

[TwistedTiger]

This will answer your questions without a doubt.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-09/totm/index.php

[Dejavu]

I switched from 14k hamilton bulb to 12k reeflux and like them better than the 14k hamiltons. THe growth is about the same, but the color is much better IMO. I think all color look better under the reeflux. The 400 watt bulbs bring out the color better than the 250 watt reeflux. Here are a few pic under a 400 watt.

[teen]

thanks guys. im definetly gunna try this bulb this time.

feel free to post pics if anybody else has them.

thanks

[fishfiend00s]

How does the look of the 400 watt 12k reeflux comapre to the radium 20 k? I know the price is a big difference.

[zibba]

Dejavu -

Can you put up a FTS of your 90 so that I can see the difference between the 400w and 250w? I tried clicking your "red house" but the link doesn't work. I'm interested to see how you have this set up - since I have the same size tank.

Great shots btw! I love that tri-color (or what I thought was a tri-color) in the second picture!

[wentreefgirl]

[Serioussnaps]

I have officially determined that if you want to pop a tort(or anythihng blue) you need reeflux 12K.

[frontosa_man80]

i run 2 400watt 12k's and 2 250 watt 12k's. here are a few shots straight from the camera, no shopping. i love them and would run them again.

[Purple Haze]

Just in case i've missed it--has Sanjay done any comparisons with this bulb?

For those that have ran 12k DE Reeflux and the "14k" Pheonix, is the Reeflux brighter than the Pheonix?

I think i'm about to switch to the Reeflux 12k DE on an M58 ballast.

Thanks.

[twon8]

Originally posted by Purple Haze
Just in case i've missed it--has Sanjay done any comparisons with this bulb?

For those that have ran 12k DE Reeflux and the "14k" Pheonix, is the Reeflux brighter than the Pheonix?

I think i'm about to switch to the Reeflux 12k DE on an M58 ballast.

Thanks.

afiak the m58 wont' work with de bulbs...

[frontosa_man80]

Originally posted by Purple Haze
Just in case i've missed it--has Sanjay done any comparisons with this bulb?

yes he has, and it wasnt that great. but i took a shot and im very happy with the colors on them. ill see if i can find the link and post it.

-jesse

[frontosa_man80]

Originally posted by Purple Haze
Just in case i've missed it--has Sanjay done any comparisons with this bulb?

Here it is.

-jesse

[sfsuphysics]

I used the 12000k Reeflux bulbs and while I did like them a lot, looking at the charts Sanjay did really had me cringing at the horrid PAR ratings of the bulbs, the 14000k 175w Hamilitons had about the same PAR as the 250w versions. But I agree the color was out of sight.

I've since jumped to the 250w 14k Hams since they have about 1/3 more light output, the Phoenix bulbs are over 40% more light out. The bulbs are definitely a lot bluer, but I don't know how well the growth is yet.

[Canarygirl]

Phoenix bulbs are over 40% more light out.

Whoa...are you kidding me? Pheonix 14K have 40% more PAR than Reeflux 12K??? I am stunned by this.

I switched from a loaner (well used) Pheonix 14k bulb to a Reelfux 12K, and my RBTA started to wander around the tank a couple of days after the switch.

To me, the light output looked brighter with the Reeflux (and I hated the blue-actinic tint of the Pheonix bulb--but then again, it was old.)

I'm just wondering now if the anemone started to wander because the light output declined after putting the Reeflux on there.

[Purple Haze]

Originally posted by twon8
afiak the m58 wont' work with de bulbs...

Oops, M80.

Looks like this won't be my next bulb. I hear some 10ks calling my name

Thanks.

[teen]

hmm. after seeing those PAR #s, maybe ill stick with the 14k phoenix.

[gotfish8]

I prefer the 12k over the pheonix here are a few shots electronic ballasts

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[teen]

i cant argue with the color, but idk if im willing to sacrifice the PAR values.

[t5Nitro]

Would a 12k Reeflux 250w DE be too bright to run 3" above the water? I have 14k phoenix right now.

[aiko670]

Here's the deal with the reeflux 12000k.... It's all about the ballast....

I'm running a SE 400W RF 1200k bulb on a standard magnetic ballast and it's super blue(think actinic)I haven't tested but I'm sure the par is dismal...

I'm also running a SE 250W RF 12000K bulb on a PFO HQI ballast and it looks great. I've also heard they look great on electronic ballasts...

INMO the only way to run these bulbs is to over drive them...

Just my 0.02....

Adam

[Canarygirl]

I have my 250 watt DE 12K on an electronic ballast and it's a nice color, not too blue.

[blown]

Originally posted by Canarygirl
I have my 250 watt DE 12K on an electronic ballast and it's a nice color, not too blue.

Having never owned the Phoenix bulbs, I just got the Reeflux 12k DE bulbs on my EVC Elec ballast and they look good to me. Came from EVC 10K DE, so output is quite a bit less.

The 10K even with actinics were still too white for me. These with the Actinics are perfect IMO. I also had some AquaConnect (I believe was the brand) and they were way too blue compared to these.

[PSam]

I've got the 12K's on electronic, 150w version. I love them. Not as bright as some bulbs, and not the PAR of some, but very nice color. Now to just lower those nutrients a bit more so I can enjoy the color and not so much brown...