150 watt hqi ?

[just_let_me_reef]

i just got a hamilton 3x150 watt hqi ballast. i was undecided on what bulbs to run. i ended up purchasing 1 hamilton 175 w 10 k bulb, and 2 blueline 175 w 10 k bulbs. ( i purchased the bluelines a few months ago in anticipation of this new set up). what i want to know is, what is the best bulb i can run with this ballast? what other bulbs can i run? what would have been a better watt to run , the 150 or the 175 bulb?

[dsb1829]

I think that the 150w HQI provide quite a bit more light than 175w. Especially over the bluelines. The best bang for the buck is the AB bulbs. Not only have they tested higher in useful wavelengths, but they are typically cheeper too. I have found them for as low as $65. Another possitive is that for a 10,000K bulb the AB has a hint of blue to it where most others have a hint of yellow. Obviousley the AB is what I run and is my favorite bulb. Yes, I have tried many over the years. I have used everything from iwasakis, sunbursts, bluelines, ushios, hungarian 10K, and venture.

As far as options there isn't too many. I think Ushio and AB are the highest par bulbs. Then there is a 20K, I don't know the manufacturer but Premium sells it for $100. Custom Aquatics sells a German 20K for $80 or the 6,500K Osram lamp for $60. That is at least a few more options. I can't vouch for any of them than the Ushio and I haven't run their hqi bulb.

ttt...

[kmu]

Get the HQI DE bulbs, but don't get the 6,500k, they are extremely bright like a 400 iwasaki and also yellow and you'll need 1000 in actinics to level and get a nice crisp white color....

You could get the 10k or the 20k.... If you are not gonna supplement your lighting with actinics go with the 20k, I'm extremely pleasured by the color of my 20k...