What bulbs/ballasts are you guys using?

[dgasmd]

I am running 5x400 watt XM 10,000K on PF HQI with lumenarc reflectors in addition ot 740 watt of actinic VHO. I was running radiums previously and although I love the color, they don't last much more than 4 months. I switched to XM on the advice of so many people. Now, about 3-4 months into them, they look very dim to the naked eye. My colors are fading/turning brown and the growth has not being there.

I have been told the new EVC 400 watt 10,000K bulbs are pretty nice. Any pictures/ experiences with these?

I may just go back to Ushio 10,000K. They are the most expensive of all, but at least you get good and reliable bulbs with fairly good color.

[tom obrecht]

I had a similar issue. I changed to XM bulbs bulbs to save a few bucks, but as soon as I did I hated it. I went right back to 10K Ushio's with VHO actinics. Granted I have all softies, but I could see immediately the difference in color and intensity. I too would like to see what people have to say.

[camarojweed]

(2) 400W Coralvue 14K's on a dual PFO Ballast (both mounted in Luminarc Reflectors) on my 250 gallon tank

[wfgworks]

You might want to look into the new USHIO/BLV 14K bulbs. They are just as bright as a 10K but no yellow. I think Moonpod is running them and he has tried his fair share of bulbs over the years so I'm sure he could help you out.

[PaulErik]

The PFO HQI ballast is intended to be used with European spec Double-Ended and Single-Ended MH lamps.

A few European 400-watt lamps like the Radium (which is actually a 360-watt lamp) and 400-watt North American spec lamps are designed for low current operation. Using a HQI ballast will degrade these lamps quicker because they will be overdriven.

The added current causes the arc tube in these lamps to operate at a higher temperature than they were designed for. This accelerates lamp wear.

Lamps that should perform well on the 400-watt HQI is the AB 10,000K , BLV/Ushio 10,000K and BLV 14,000K. These lamps are designed to European standards (high current lamps).

Note Ushio has come out with another version of the 400-watt 10,000K.

The BLV/Ushio UHI-S400AQ/10 is a high current lamp.

The new Ushio UHI-S400AQ/10/CWA is a low current lamp designed to North American standards (ANSI M59). The HQI ballast will overdrive this lamp.

[Entropy]

I am running 2x175w Iwasaki Aqua2's and 2x110w URI super acintics. Not much help to you since they don't make a 400w verision, but the color is sweet!

[dgasmd]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6894742#post6894742 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by PaulErik
Note Ushio has come out with another version of the 400-watt 10,000K.

The BLV/Ushio UHI-S400AQ/10 is a high current lamp.

Thanks for the info. Where can one find info on these lamps or a place that sells them??