Tried XM, tried reeflux... need another bulb

[LobsterOfJustice]

Hello all,

It is time for me to buy new lights in hopes of solving my current problem (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=837580). I used XMs when I first set up my tank, but I was not happy with the coloration of my corals or the growth. The growth may not be the fault of the bulb, but as soon as I switched out for my current reeflux my corals colors improved. However, the reeflux are having problems firing, and I am not happy with the pink hue of the burnt-in bulb.

Both lights I have tried were 10K. I want to stay around this range because I have a lot of frags which I need to grow out, but want them to look nice at the same time; I an more concerned with the colors of the corals than the overall hue of the tank. Can anyone suggest an alternative which will make me happy?

250w, mogul, Magnetic ballast (may be HQI, not sure).

[Ceak]

Unfortunately I think the best non-blue bulb is the Reeflux 10K... All the other 10Ks are either yellow or white... Do you run actinics?

[LobsterOfJustice]

2 110w VHO actinic

[Ceak]

from what I heard XM and Reeflux are the best options in the 10K... You might want to give the EVC 10K a shot....

If you dont mind some blue then the Reeflux 12K seems like it gives nice colors (supposedly same performance as Reeflux but with added blue to kill the pink)...

[Large Polyp Dave]

Perhaps a new ballast would benefit your colouration?

I know that some of the electronic ballasts burn both the 10k XM and Reeflux bulbs brighter/whiter..

Not sure which one to recommend though

[akrimmel]

try a phoenix 14k awsome results and nice bulb color!

[jmcmahon66]

I agree with Andy. Give the Phoenix a try. After the blue burn in phase they have a great color. Many of my friends that see my phoenix bulbs have mistaken them for 10K.

[akrimmel]

the best i have found by far!

[kclewis]

ive always liked the ushio bulbs

[akrimmel]

to each thier own!

[mntl]

Stick with the 10k and add actinic. If you have 2x actinic bulbs you can have one blue/one white, two blue, etc, ect. You cantailer your color with actinic and add a dawn/dusk fase. If you switch to a higher k bulb you will lose par, this does not necessarily mean you will lose growth, but most have found a xm10k or similiar will outgrow a higher k bulb. I was in the same boat you are in, I ended up with the iwasaki aqua2 14k, but it is not available in your wattage yet. Even though it is an improvement (imo) to the XM/Hamilton I have tried before, I still wish I had some t5/Vho actininc to tailer the lighting (best of both worlds).

-John-

[akrimmel]

ive nothing but true growth from my phoenix 14k for everything in my tank--rapidly that is!

[Kaiser Tang]

I use the ushio 250w 10K, 2 - 75w 50/50 VHO and 3 - 75 w Super Actinics. Great intensity and great color. I tried going with a 14K halide, but the intensity just wasn't there. I needed it for my clams. I may even swap out a 50/50 with another actinic at my next bulb change. I love the bright blue! Corals look beautiful.

[Ceak]

Phoenix 14K, Reeflux 12K and Radium 20K on HQI ballasts all look similar (bright white with a hint of blue) and give good coral colros and all have good par 80-100... I think the Reeflux 12K might look slightly bluer but since it has big spikes in other colors colors of the spectrum it might bring out all the colors and not just greens and blues/purples like other blue bulbs...

[mraafat]

If you are using a mogul then seriuosly consider the Aqueline Bushke 13k. It is actually a 10k bulb with a very high par, and has a really good color to it. I think you will be happy with one of those.

[LobsterOfJustice]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7338615#post7338615 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by akrimmel
try a phoenix 14k awsome results and nice bulb color!

Isn't this a DE bulb?

2 for Ushio, 1 for AB. I am a little reluctant to order more reefluxes because my current ones wont fire after 2 months.

Originally posted by mraafat
If you are using a mogul then seriuosly consider the Aqueline Bushke 13k.

Do you have a link to a vendor? I think I see this for sale on Marine Depot but they call it a 10K.

Does the AB require a HQI ballast? I am not sure if I have a standard or HQI magnetic ballast, so ordering this bulb might be a gamble if it does...

Thanks for all the input so far. Other votes?

[LobsterOfJustice]

bump

checked with the previous owner, the ballast is not HQI.

[LobsterOfJustice]

So far it's Ushio. Anyone have other suggestions?

[Ceak]

You must have electronic ballasts, I heard about Reeflux bulbs having trouble firing up on some electronics...

IMO you dont have many good options left in the SE bulbs... XM gives good color with sufficient actinic supplementation, Reeflux 10K brings out nice colors but I agree it does look pink...the 12K is nice and bright with enough blue to give corals a nice glow... The Aquaconnect is a very very nice bulb but is also very hard to find and very expensive...

I dont think you will like the USHIO at all, the XM 10k is better than the USHIO 10k in every way... more PAR less yellow than the ushio... The USHIO 14K is crisp white but doesn't color up corals all that good, you will need supplementation and you will have much less PAR than with XM or Reeflux...

[Bebo77]

Ushio...

[soulfigter]

Do the reeflux 12k bulbs brighten up a bit with the burn in? I have some 250w I got a few days ago and they have great color, but seem awfully dim. Would they be a lot brighter on an electronic ballast?

Are the phoenix 14k similiar in color?

[Cosmo^Kramer]

Check this website out for bulb comparisons

http://www.cnidarianreef.com/lamps.cfm

or this thread
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=254667

You need to open your ballast box and see whats on the ballasts see if it's a M58,M80,M138 or electronic.Then get a bulb that will work with your ballast.I think your trying to fire Reeflux bulbs on the wrong ballast,check here
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=201570