Undecided on MH Bulbs

[NEWSALT]

I want to get new MH bulbs in the next PA Group Buy, but I'm not sure which bulb to get. I currently run two 250W 20k XM bulbs on ARO ballasts with two 110W Super Actinic VHO's. My tank is 26" deep. I like the bluer color, but I think I'm sacrificing growth. I was trying to decide between the Hamilton 14K or the Reeflux 12K. Can anyone speak from their experience to help me decide?

Thanks.

 

[mikem]

Never tried the 14K. I'm running the Reeflux 12K. It's my favorite bulb so far. Chrisp white and just enough blue.

 

[malulu]

NEWSALT Mike,

- i think it all depends on your personal taste, you may want to find someone with the light that you going to have and stop by to take a look to decide for sure.

- my coral-life-aqual-pro light comes with 3 x 10K bulbs
- heard people saying more blue looks better
- so, when the time comes, i upgraded them all to 20K, don't like it - too blue!
- now i replacement them with 14K (still think a bit blue to me)
- then i have them as (10k, 14k, 10k).
- next time, i am going to try with (10k, 12k, 10k).

Note:
i don't believed in to replace all bulbs at the same time, it think it would be a shock to the creatures if we replace all bulbs at the same time. i replace 1 bulb at a time for every 3 months, that way, each bulb will last for 9 months.


good luck on your light hunt...

 

[Absinthe]

When I ran MH I tried every combo out there. 10K with actinic, 14K with/without, 20K with/without

I finally decided that 14K with actinic supplementation was perfect for me. White enough and blue enough.

Of course...every mnfc bulbs look different!

 

[mott768]

Mike,
I have a 14k XM on my one tank the the reeflux 12'k on another if you want to come by and see the difference, I like the 12K better.

 

[NEWSALT]

That's probably a good idea to see someones tank that is using the lights I'm interested in. Tom's River is a bit of a ride for me though. Is there anyone in the Middlesex or Somerset County area that is using either Hamilton 14K, Reeflux 10k or the Reeflux 12K that I could come and see?

 

[mott768]

Mike,
You'll like the 12k it seems to be the best of both worlds just enough blue for the colors and growth is pretty close to running a 10K. I really don't like the 14K it's a little too blue for my taste, growth isn't that great and it seems duller than the 12K (not as bright)Hope that helps some, to bad you weren't closer.

 

[Phyl]

Reeflux 10Ks are not blue enough for you (using 250w bulbs-- the 10K 400s are a nice blue color). I'd go with 14s. If you're running 20s now, even 12s are going to be a shock to you.