Which SE 250w metal halides next?

[VaderWS6]

I've been using XM 10k single ended metal halides for a couple years now, and I would like to try something else. They are powered by a dual 250watt HQI PFO ballast. I want more of a blue look, but I don't want a 20k bulb. The XM's are BRIGHT, so what else is out there that will give me the same intensity but with more blue??? I really don't want to down grade! :) No Iwasaki 6500k's either, used to have them before the XM's. I want great overall growth of softies, LPS, and SPS.

[twon8]

aquaconnect 14k, they rock

[VaderWS6]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10970224#post10970224 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by twon8
aquaconnect 14k, they rock

I keep hearing good things about the aquaconnect 14k, but is it as good as the XM 10k? Are they as bright as the XM 10k? Will they last as long as the XM 10k on an HQI ballast? I guess I could try them out for a week and trade them back to the store for XM 10k's if I don't like them huh? :D

[VaderWS6]

Crap! The Aquaconnect bulbs are $115??? :eek:

[twon8]

ive been running mine on electronic ballasts for 18 months, so they last a while. i would expect them to burn out quicker on hqi, and while they wont' be as bright as the 10k, the color difference more than makes up for it

[VaderWS6]

Thats still a lot for a SE metal halide bulb! :( How will they compare to my dual 250watt XM 10k with 440watts of VHO actinic supplementation? It would have to be a pretty big difference to spend that much money, when XM 10k's are only $60...