Best MH Bulbs

[VikeBron]

Hello all,
I need to replace my 250 bulbs. What are the best bulbs to get? 10/15/20k ? They will be used on a 120 with softies, clams and a few sps.
Thanks,
Steve

[jdallred]

Depends on what color you like (white/blue), what you want to achieve (color/growth), and what ballasts you are using. Are using actinic to supplement? If yes, what?

[VikeBron]

Joe,
Growth first then color is the main objective. 2-96watt PC for supplement. As far as white or blue....I'm not sure.
Steve

[burkleman]

I have always wondered, what type and tempurature of bulbs promote or allow faster growth.

Brandon

[Tagareef]

Nothing beats an Iwasaki 65K for growth (or PAR)...needs a lot of actinic supplement IMO though. Not bad at coloring up corals either. This bulb is not for everyone, but it's the best built bulb I've ever used and lasts more than a year. You also can't beat the price!

[aztecdreams]

i didnt like the iwasaki, way too yellow and all my corals browned out. i did get really good growth. now im usin the 20k xm and have great colors, will b tryin out the xm 15k when i replace these

[jdallred]

Since you are running actinic supplementation, I would go with something between a 10K and 13K, depending on the manufacture. If you want to run something a little bluer, without actinic supplementation, then I would go for something between a 15K and 20K. Your lower K will produce better growth and the higher K will produce better color (especially blues/purples).

If you are into lots of reading, here is just about everything you wanted to know about MH lighting.

http://www.reeflightinginfo.arvixe.com/articles.htm

[Coloaggie]

I have tried the Iwasaki 65k, a Ushio 10k and a Radium 20k on the 90 show tank in the front of the store. By far, I think the Radium is the way to go. The 65k browned out the coral and even with actinic supplementation it was too yellow. The 10k provided good growth, but the colors were not very brilliant. The 20k radium does provide some growth and some really nice color.

The xm is a cheap made bulb. It is worth your while to pay the extra 20 bucks and get a german made bulb.

[VikeBron]

Hi Yale,
Do you have these and at what price? By the way I will not have to switch those 96 strait pins as I got a dual 400 watt mh with dual strait pin pc for the 150.
Thanks,
Steve

[Tagareef]

I used to run 400 watt Radiums as well and are flat out my most favorite bulb...especially for coloration of corals. On the down side, I found that these bulbs overdriven with a PFO HQI ballast needed to be replaced every 6-8 months!

The Iwasakis are b*tt ugly, but they sure make stuff grow.

Luis