View Full Version : Any Hamilton 14k users on SPS tanks?
kozmo02
05/13/2006, 09:56 PM
We're considering replacing our 250w 10k XM's with 250w 14k Hamiltons. Anyone using these bulbs over their SPS tanks? how do you like them so far?
We'll be running them on standard PFO ballasts. If you're running them and have pics, please post them. We're tired of the way the 10k XM's look and want something with a lot more blue in the spectrum. We have also been considering Reeflux 10k's but a friend tried them not too long ago and was not happy with them, and is now using the 14k Hamiltons and loves the look.
Thanks for any input.
UFreefer
05/13/2006, 10:15 PM
I loved the color that the hamiltons have but they crapped out on me in 5 months. A good friend of mine just had his burn out on him after just two months.
I switched to the coralvue reeflux 12k's and love them! Same exact color and the growth is better as well
UFreefer
05/13/2006, 10:16 PM
oh and they're cheaper too!!
carib
05/13/2006, 10:43 PM
I love the color,can't say other then this.
Chip Douglas
05/13/2006, 10:54 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7362268#post7362268 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by UFreefer
oh and they're cheaper too!!
Any pics of the 12k's? What ballast are you running them on?
twon8
05/14/2006, 01:43 AM
the 14ks don't run as well on standard ballasts as they do on electronics or hqi
Chip Douglas
05/14/2006, 02:00 AM
what runs best on standard ballasts with more blue in the spectrum then the 10k XM's?? Looking for 250w SE bulbs.
RicksReefs
05/14/2006, 06:51 AM
all bulbs run different on an electronic ballast vs. standard.
I've been usung 14K hammies for a few years and it's all I'll use now (or phoenix 14K). coralvue has to many issues that I prefer not to deal with.
the XM 15K is bluer than a hamilton but still not bad.
Chip Douglas
05/14/2006, 11:35 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7363298#post7363298 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RicksReefs
all bulbs run different on an electronic ballast vs. standard.
I've been usung 14K hammies for a few years and it's all I'll use now (or phoenix 14K). coralvue has to many issues that I prefer not to deal with.
the XM 15K is bluer than a hamilton but still not bad.
Which ballasts are you using?
jt_redmist
05/14/2006, 11:50 AM
Here's my take on the Hammis. I've been running mine on the standard ballast also for over 9 months now. I had switched from the XM also, due to wanting more blue. I love the color of the Hamilton, however I must say that the growth is very poor. I heard people are getting better growth result with the electronic ballast. You'll also notice that the hammis look alot dimmer if you make the switch. All the colors with the hammis look richer, such as the green, pink, blue and orange. When the time comes I'll most likely try a different bulb, since I want more growth. But will probably stay in the 12k or 14k range, since I like more blue in my tank. Sorry, but I don't have any pics to show you. So, if you don't care about growth and want a nice color, go with the hammis. Good luck with your decision.
JT
kozmo02
05/14/2006, 11:58 AM
For reference here is the ballast:
http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=PF1612
UFreefer
05/14/2006, 12:00 PM
[iAny pics of the 12k's? What ballast are you running them on?
I'm running them on a M58
I could get some pictures but like i said they look identicle to the 14k hamiltons
I've had good growth on my hammi, can't complain.
RicksReefs
05/14/2006, 08:54 PM
I'm using sunlight supply standard ballasts.
combined with good water and a good 2 part alk/calc, i get about 3/8" on my caps, a 1/2" on digi's, and 1 /4" on some acros a month. I'm happy with the ham 14K and I don't need actinics.
29reef
05/14/2006, 08:54 PM
Used them for 18 months with actinic vho's never liked their color or the growth that i got. Ushio 10k was much better imo, but also a white bulb but still in your search take a closer look at the ushio. best way that i can describe the ushio to the xm is that the ushio looks clear...where the xm has some yellow. FWIW I was on a mix ice cap electronic and SLS electronic and couldnt see any difference in my bulbs.
Benny Z
05/14/2006, 08:58 PM
i'm using an evc 14k se bulb with the evc electronic ballast.
very blue.
SunnyX
05/14/2006, 10:48 PM
Swiching from XM 10K to Ham 14K would be a huge difference.
Your growth would be nothing like what you had with the 10K XM's. Why not add more actinic or blue bulbs to help balance out the colors.
Chip Douglas
05/14/2006, 11:25 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7368050#post7368050 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SunnyX
Swiching from XM 10K to Ham 14K would be a huge difference.
Your growth would be nothing like what you had with the 10K XM's. Why not add more actinic or blue bulbs to help balance out the colors.
No room in our canopy. The two actinic VHO's we have now don't even have much space to shine into the tank since we're using lumenarc mini's.
SunnyX
05/15/2006, 09:26 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7368200#post7368200 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Chip Douglas
No room in our canopy. The two actinic VHO's we have now don't even have much space to shine into the tank since we're using lumenarc mini's.
Wow, I would never run XM 10k's without supplements, too dull.
If you can afford them, or find them the Aquaconnects 14k's are unbeatable.
Hopefully they will be coming out with the Iwasaki 14k 250W soon, sometime in June I last heard. If they are anything like the 175W Version then they will be a must buy.
Chip Douglas
05/15/2006, 11:16 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7369618#post7369618 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SunnyX
Wow, I would never run XM 10k's without supplements, too dull.
If you can afford them, or find them the Aquaconnects 14k's are unbeatable.
Hopefully they will be coming out with the Iwasaki 14k 250W soon, sometime in June I last heard. If they are anything like the 175W Version then they will be a must buy.
I've heard good things about the Aquaconnects...are they SE or DE?
Right now our biggest concern is pairing a bulb with our PFO standard ballasts because replacing our whole lighting system with electronic ballasts is not in the cards right now.
jjackson
05/15/2006, 12:05 PM
i am looking to switch 14k from 10k ... i think im getting too much light i have moved corals down in my tank and they have colored up.... anyhow i just thought i would chime in....
SunnyX
05/15/2006, 01:56 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7370224#post7370224 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Chip Douglas
I've heard good things about the Aquaconnects...are they SE or DE?
Right now our biggest concern is pairing a bulb with our PFO standard ballasts because replacing our whole lighting system with electronic ballasts is not in the cards right now.
If its an M58 250W ballast then you could run the Aquaconnects 14K.
Chip Douglas
05/15/2006, 07:24 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7371286#post7371286 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SunnyX
If its an M58 250W ballast then you could run the Aquaconnects 14K.
I'm not sure how to check that. All I know is we have two dual standard PFO ballasts driving 4 10k XM's. Who sells the Aquaconnects? If Iwasaki drops a 250w 14k it would probably be more affordable and I'm sure it would run well on the PFO ballasts too...I wonder how soon that would happen.
SunnyX
05/16/2006, 07:56 AM
PM Sent about where to find Aquaconnects. ;)
jt_redmist
05/16/2006, 09:31 AM
I too am curious where to find the Aquaconnect bulb :)
JT
SunnyX
05/16/2006, 09:59 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7376561#post7376561 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jt_redmist
I too am curious where to find the Aquaconnect bulb :)
JT
PM Sent. :D
me 3!!
unless you're sending out the phone # to a certain LFS in FL...
jt_redmist
05/16/2006, 11:01 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7376742#post7376742 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SunnyX
PM Sent. :D
Thanks for the PM, SunnyX. $119 a pop!!!! Wow, that's a rich man's bulb :D
JT
eckrynock
05/16/2006, 11:13 AM
I ran XM 10ks on M58 ballasts for a year. I switched to the Reeflux 10k bulb and love it. Growth is not as fast but coral color is out of this world! You may want to give the 12k Reeflux a try too if you want more blue.
SunnyX
05/16/2006, 11:37 AM
Ceak, PM sent.
As for the $119 price it is alot to pay for a bulb. If you are only running one or two bulbs then it isnt as bad, but for people running three or more bulbs the costs can be prohibative.
If you go DE you get the same bulb for $55(Pheonix14K)
Chip Douglas
05/16/2006, 12:59 PM
How can I check if our PFO dual standard ballasts are M58??
SunnyX
05/16/2006, 01:25 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7377890#post7377890 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Chip Douglas
How can I check if our PFO dual standard ballasts are M58??
I assume they are magnetic ballasts. If so they will work fine.
Is this the one: http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=PFO250D&Category_Code=PFOballast
Chip Douglas
05/16/2006, 03:39 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7378044#post7378044 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SunnyX
I assume they are magnetic ballasts. If so they will work fine.
Is this the one: http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=PFO250D&Category_Code=PFOballast
yup, two of those.
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