coralvue reeflux 12k users?

jade2122 · #1 11/05/2007, 04:17 PM

So I've been pondering a bulb change on my 65 sps tank. Right now I am usuing 2 coralvue 20k 250 watt bulbs. They are pretty but after my last visit to reefworks and talking about the 12k reefulx bulb and seeing it on their display I think I'm leaning that way. I want better growth and color, 20k just too dark. So question is, who currently is usuing the 12k's and what do you think? Will I see a huge difference in growth and color? Thank you!

lifesworksataol · #2 11/05/2007, 04:47 PM

i will know soon (after the burn in)- i just ordered some last week :-D

Reefworkschris · #3 11/06/2007, 12:54 PM

The bulbs in my display are the reeflux 10k and they look good. I have the reeflux 12k on my tank at home and I love those bulbs. They do start out kinda blue (like a 20K) but they burn in really nice after a couple weeks. I'm getting the same growth, if not better than I was with the 10k's, and great color. If you wanna come see my tank for comparison, let me know.

triggerfish1976 · #4 11/06/2007, 02:27 PM

I run (2) 400 Watt Aquaconnects, (1) 400w Reeflux 12k and (2) 400w Reeflux 10k all on Icecap Ballasts and I am actually disappointed with the 12k's. They have got to be the bluest 12k bulb I have ever seen and they are not as bright as they should be for being a 12k bulb. I get the best color and growth out of the AC's, followed by the 10k's and then the 12k.

jsl6v8 · #5 11/06/2007, 02:59 PM

After checking the links posted, on the question I had about par values, and looking at the results from those I'll definately be moving to 14k aquaconnects when I change out bulbs.

triggerfish1976 · #6 11/06/2007, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jsl6v8
After checking the links posted, on the question I had about par values, and looking at the results from those I'll definately be moving to 14k aquaconnects when I change out bulbs.

They are crazy bulbs. You get the blue tint of a 14k but better PAR than some of the best 10k bulbs.

jade2122 · #7 11/07/2007, 08:27 AM

so the 14k aquaconnects are better than reflux 12k? I need more opinions, so hard to pick which bulb.

markandkristen · #8 11/07/2007, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jade2122
so the 14k aquaconnects are better than reflux 12k? I need more opinions, so hard to pick which bulb.

that would be true. i have heard many comment on the price of the aquaconnect bulbs. so they moved to the reeflux ..

i would say the aquaconnects are the best bulb in the se version. you get the growth as well as colors. but at $103 a bulb its hard for some to swallow that

triggerfish1976 · #9 11/07/2007, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jade2122
so the 14k aquaconnects are better than reflux 12k? I need more opinions, so hard to pick which bulb.

There is no comparison. The only other bulb that comes close to the Aquaconnect is the Reeflux 10k but it is on the yellower side and should be supplemented with actinics to get decent color.

jsl6v8 · #10 11/07/2007, 12:12 PM

80 bucks 103, 23 bucks a day change it every 9 months= .09cents more a day than that bulb you will stare at for 9 months wishing it was more crisp or had more growth

jade2122 · #11 11/07/2007, 02:20 PM

that is a good way to look at it. but dropping over $200 on bulbs would be rough. Time to think..won't be happening til after xmas anyway. wish i could find a side by side picture comparison. any website that offers that?

triggerfish1976 · #12 11/07/2007, 02:34 PM

Here is a side by side picture comparison between the Reeflux 10k and an Aquaconnect.

Here is a full tank shot showing the Aquaconnect (the right 1/3 of the tank) and Reeflux 12k (middle 1/3)

lifesworksataol · #13 11/07/2007, 03:25 PM

i like the brightness of the reeflux i think - its hard to tell with a pic - but i love this club - ask and you will receive most of the time :-D you rock triggerfish

jsl6v8 · #14 11/07/2007, 03:30 PM

lol triggerfish if I'm not mistaken is tampa, not orlando, just a great guy on the orca forum, a wealth of information.

lifesworksataol · #15 11/07/2007, 03:32 PM

yea =-) but in general

triggerfish1976 · #16 11/07/2007, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jsl6v8
lol triggerfish if I'm not mistaken is tampa, not orlando, just a great guy on the orca forum, a wealth of information.

Thanks.
As far as the pics, the reeflux seems brighter mainly because I have another one right behind it whereas the Aquaconnect has the Reeflux 12k behind it which dulls it down a little. The reflector on the Reeflux 10k is also one of the new "salad bowl" shaped ones that is a little more efficient at creating a "beam" light effect.
In all honestly, you can't go wrong with either bulb for growth I just like the bluer tint on the AC.

lifesworksataol · #17 11/07/2007, 03:45 PM

well iam glad you said that - cause i already ordered my reeflux bulbs :-D

rigleautomotive · #18 11/07/2007, 03:55 PM

i run reeflux 12 k with a coral vue ballast and i am impressed.bright,and nice color .one of my favorites of all time.i do believe in using a coral vue ballast on these bulbs.some other ballast combos may not give the same results

raynist · #19 12/31/2007, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by markandkristen
that would be true. i have heard many comment on the price of the aquaconnect bulbs. so they moved to the reeflux ..

i would say the aquaconnects are the best bulb in the se version. you get the growth as well as colors. but at $103 a bulb its hard for some to swallow that

Hey, where can I get these for $103 per bulb? I have only seen them for $140.

I need a couple more!

--Ray

orb · #20 12/31/2007, 10:02 AM

I'm running the aquaconnects 12K 150w de. i have two on my tank, without any other bulbs and love the color-and my growth is good, but can't compare the growth rates because those are the only ones i've used. they do look good though.

i can try to get you some pics later if you want.

macawmagic · #21 12/31/2007, 10:05 AM

I was debating between the reeflux 12k and the phoenix 14k...I just ordered the phoenix's. 130 for 2 bulbs shipped! hopefully they'll be the color i'm looking for. good luck with the reeflux's

orb · #22 12/31/2007, 10:23 AM

where'd you find those bulbs at? i need some more anyways. i assume for that price they were the 150W? was it you that came over to my house a long time ago for those frags? i remember that truck.

surfjeepzx · #23 01/02/2008, 08:41 PM

Just a suggestion... why not supplement the 20k with some vho white?.

fasteddie7 · #24 01/04/2008, 05:33 PM

i run the coralvue 12k's 250 watt and love them. i previousily ran the xm 20k bulbs. my corals seem to have colored up dramatically also the growth is awesome compared to the 20's.

DJChesnutRabbit · #25 01/04/2008, 06:29 PM

Orb, you can get Phoenix 250w 14k's for $65 a piece at hellolights.

I'm running the Phoenix 14k's now and would like to know if anyone has opinions versus the AC's 12k's?

I just recently added 4 x 54w 420nm actinics to my 2 x 250w 14k's and I really like the color, and all my corals seem to agree, but I'm always looking for an edge for better growth.