possible switch 400'S

RobsReefs · 01/02/2010, 08:26 AM

any input will help.

Thanks, Robert

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1767806

Bdimas · 01/02/2010, 10:25 AM

Are you not happy with growth from corals that are lower in your tank or all corals in your tank? I would probably try new reflectors before making the costly jump to 400's. Im pretty sure Mark P. Is running 250's on his 24" deep tank.

RobsReefs · 01/02/2010, 11:13 AM

its not that im not happy. everything is growing. I just think with 400's it would grow like i had 10k's in. and keep/maintain the colors im getting now. I think i will try to look into enlarging the templet for the reflectors and make new ones to get a better spread and then go to 400 if i want.

Bdimas · 01/02/2010, 11:17 AM

Yup your not gunna get the same growth with the 20k's. Maybe you can change out your reflectors and switch to 14k?

Bdimas · 01/02/2010, 11:19 AM

Maybe switch to 14k until your corals grow in more and then switch back to 20k. Im may do this also.

RobsReefs · 01/02/2010, 11:24 AM

I just cant loose what has taken me 2 years to get. LOL

bbl_nk · 01/03/2010, 04:57 PM

Are you running Moguls based MH's? Try the ReefBrite Twin Arc. They have a 10,000K and a 20,000K capsule and when they start off they go to 10000K and if you switch the ballast on/off they fire off the second capsule in 20000K. Get the best of both worlds:

http://www.marinedepot.com/250W_%281...MHSETW-vi.html

plankton · 01/03/2010, 05:03 PM

I'm of the 'if it not broken then don't fix it camp'. If you are getting great growth and color out of your current 250W 20K radiums then don't mess with it. If you really, really must mess with it and want to pay even more money in electricity then you can upgrade to 400W 20K radiums...but I don't see why... There are a gazillions bulbs out there and ballasts just check sanjay's old site for bulb/ballast spectral curves.

Scott

reefgeek31 · 01/03/2010, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbl_nk

Are you running Moguls based MH's? Try the ReefBrite Twin Arc. They have a 10,000K and a 20,000K capsule and when they start off they go to 10000K and if you switch the ballast on/off they fire off the second capsule in 20000K. Get the best of both worlds:

http://www.marinedepot.com/250W_%281...MHSETW-vi.html

I think that bulb is no longer available.

Jacob D · 01/03/2010, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plankton

I'm of the 'if it not broken then don't fix it camp'. If you are getting great growth and color out of your current 250W 20K radiums then don't mess with it. If you really, really must mess with it and want to pay even more money in electricity then you can upgrade to 400W 20K radiums...but I don't see why... There are a gazillions bulbs out there and ballasts just check sanjay's old site for bulb/ballast spectral curves.

Scott

+1... stability is the key to everything, you have a good thing going.

RobsReefs · 01/03/2010, 09:22 PM

I think ill stick to 250's. i just felt like more ppl ran 400's. sometimes i cant just leave good enough alone. I think i will still do new reflectors though. Thanks for all your input everyone.

Robert

Ps i put in an old 14k hamilton and it wasnt as bad as i was thinking it was so well see. maybe ill end up doing a little heaver vho attinic supplmantion and a 14k or sommthing anyone run 14k de Phoenix?

reefgeek31 · 01/11/2010, 12:08 AM

A friend of mine just ordered 3 of the se Phoenix bulb to replace sps brand bulb that sucked. I will let you know how they look. He also runs vho's. 180 gal. with 3 250 watter's. Cant remember what he did as far as the vho's

RobsReefs · 01/12/2010, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reefgeek31

A friend of mine just ordered 3 of the se Phoenix bulb to replace sps brand bulb that sucked. I will let you know how they look. He also runs vho's. 180 gal. with 3 250 watter's. Cant remember what he did as far as the vho's

Cool, let me know. I might try a new combo in a month or 2 when i need to change bulbs.

Robert

plankton · 01/13/2010, 12:43 AM

Phoenix 250W 14K DE is my favorite bulb and at $50 from soslightbulbs dot com you can't beat it.

Scott

RobsReefs · 01/13/2010, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plankton

Phoenix 250W 14K DE is my favorite bulb and at $50 from soslightbulbs dot com you can't beat it.

Scott

I've always heard good things about Phoenix. is that what you run? and if so, do you supplement any?

plankton · 01/14/2010, 10:20 AM

Quote:

I've always heard good things about Phoenix. is that what you run? and if so, do you supplement any?

That bulb really doesn't need much especially for the first three months as it burns on the white/blue side. However, I do have two 24W ATI blueplus bulbs for dawn/dusk effect and to give corals that little 'pop'.

Scott

Bdimas · 01/15/2010, 01:25 PM

Rob, Im getting some 14k Hamiltons on Monday, your welcome to come by and check them out when i put them in.

ctripi · 01/15/2010, 03:29 PM

I've only run Phoenix and Hamilton 14k 250's and cannot tell the difference. I have two 54w t5 actinics for the added fluorescent pop.

ctripi · 02/08/2010, 09:41 AM

I now have changed my mind.....I just changed bulbs.....back to Hamiltons.....they either are accidentally 10k or I like the blue-er hues of the phoenix.

01/02/2010, 08:26 AM	#1
RobsReefs Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lodi Ca. Posts: 715	possible switch 400'S any input will help. Thanks, Robert http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1767806 __________________ I Love This Hobby!!!! Current Tank Info: 180g BB Acrylic SPS Tank 4'x3'x2' 42g sump, Tunze Wavebox, 3 large prop MJ mods, "My Large diy skimmer", Velocity T3 Return Pump, 250w 20k Radium's in Lumenarc's 2 39w Giesemann Actinic+, Neptune Systems AquaController.....

01/02/2010, 11:13 AM	#3
RobsReefs Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lodi Ca. Posts: 715	its not that im not happy. everything is growing. I just think with 400's it would grow like i had 10k's in. and keep/maintain the colors im getting now. I think i will try to look into enlarging the templet for the reflectors and make new ones to get a better spread and then go to 400 if i want. __________________ I Love This Hobby!!!! Current Tank Info: 180g BB Acrylic SPS Tank 4'x3'x2' 42g sump, Tunze Wavebox, 3 large prop MJ mods, "My Large diy skimmer", Velocity T3 Return Pump, 250w 20k Radium's in Lumenarc's 2 39w Giesemann Actinic+, Neptune Systems AquaController.....

01/02/2010, 11:24 AM	#6
RobsReefs Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lodi Ca. Posts: 715	I just cant loose what has taken me 2 years to get. LOL __________________ I Love This Hobby!!!! Current Tank Info: 180g BB Acrylic SPS Tank 4'x3'x2' 42g sump, Tunze Wavebox, 3 large prop MJ mods, "My Large diy skimmer", Velocity T3 Return Pump, 250w 20k Radium's in Lumenarc's 2 39w Giesemann Actinic+, Neptune Systems AquaController.....

01/03/2010, 04:57 PM	#7
bbl_nk Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: CA Posts: 743	Are you running Moguls based MH's? Try the ReefBrite Twin Arc. They have a 10,000K and a 20,000K capsule and when they start off they go to 10000K and if you switch the ballast on/off they fire off the second capsule in 20000K. Get the best of both worlds: http://www.marinedepot.com/250W_%281...MHSETW-vi.html __________________ Brian I'm hooked on DIY! It's all about Blue-Collar Reefing! Current Tank Info: 75g Palau Reef in the Making

01/03/2010, 09:22 PM	#11
RobsReefs Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lodi Ca. Posts: 715	I think ill stick to 250's. i just felt like more ppl ran 400's. sometimes i cant just leave good enough alone. I think i will still do new reflectors though. Thanks for all your input everyone. Robert Ps i put in an old 14k hamilton and it wasnt as bad as i was thinking it was so well see. maybe ill end up doing a little heaver vho attinic supplmantion and a 14k or sommthing anyone run 14k de Phoenix? __________________ I Love This Hobby!!!! Current Tank Info: 180g BB Acrylic SPS Tank 4'x3'x2' 42g sump, Tunze Wavebox, 3 large prop MJ mods, "My Large diy skimmer", Velocity T3 Return Pump, 250w 20k Radium's in Lumenarc's 2 39w Giesemann Actinic+, Neptune Systems AquaController..... Last edited by RobsReefs; 01/03/2010 at 09:31 PM.

01/02/2010, 10:25 AM	#2
Bdimas No on 15 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 2,519	Are you not happy with growth from corals that are lower in your tank or all corals in your tank? I would probably try new reflectors before making the costly jump to 400's. Im pretty sure Mark P. Is running 250's on his 24" deep tank.

01/02/2010, 11:17 AM	#4
Bdimas No on 15 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 2,519	Yup your not gunna get the same growth with the 20k's. Maybe you can change out your reflectors and switch to 14k?

01/02/2010, 11:19 AM	#5
Bdimas No on 15 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 2,519	Maybe switch to 14k until your corals grow in more and then switch back to 20k. Im may do this also.

01/03/2010, 05:03 PM	#8
plankton Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Tracy, CA Posts: 2,531	I'm of the 'if it not broken then don't fix it camp'. If you are getting great growth and color out of your current 250W 20K radiums then don't mess with it. If you really, really must mess with it and want to pay even more money in electricity then you can upgrade to 400W 20K radiums...but I don't see why... There are a gazillions bulbs out there and ballasts just check sanjay's old site for bulb/ballast spectral curves. Scott

01/11/2010, 12:08 AM	#12
reefgeek31 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: oakdale,Ca Posts: 512	A friend of mine just ordered 3 of the se Phoenix bulb to replace sps brand bulb that sucked. I will let you know how they look. He also runs vho's. 180 gal. with 3 250 watter's. Cant remember what he did as far as the vho's

01/13/2010, 12:43 AM	#14
plankton Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Tracy, CA Posts: 2,531	Phoenix 250W 14K DE is my favorite bulb and at $50 from soslightbulbs dot com you can't beat it. Scott

01/15/2010, 01:25 PM	#17
Bdimas No on 15 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 2,519	Rob, Im getting some 14k Hamiltons on Monday, your welcome to come by and check them out when i put them in.

01/15/2010, 03:29 PM	#18
ctripi Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Tracy, CA Posts: 628	I've only run Phoenix and Hamilton 14k 250's and cannot tell the difference. I have two 54w t5 actinics for the added fluorescent pop.

02/08/2010, 09:41 AM	#19
ctripi Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Tracy, CA Posts: 628	I now have changed my mind.....I just changed bulbs.....back to Hamiltons.....they either are accidentally 10k or I like the blue-er hues of the phoenix.