time to replace the bulbs...which should i use?

[Tybond]

Hello all and happy holidays ?!?

It's time for me to replace my MH bulbs and I am undecided on the best to try.

I do not and will not be keeping SPS in my tank for at least another year but I do have 1 clam (Dersa).

I am currently running the 250w ushio's (they are 10000k) along with 4x55w PC actinics.

I am thinking of going with the 20000k bulbs this time but I don't know if they will be a good idea?

Also...brand selection is a mystery since I have only had my MH lighting for 1 year.

So I ask you this...

What brand of bulb and K rating would you suggest I look into?

My tank is 55g, Lighting is 2x250w MH on a PFO ballast with 4x55w Pc actinics. (yes i know..pc sucks should go with vho right)

Here is a photo of the reef....

Ty

 

[ErikS]

Do a search here or on RC and you'll find out what folks think of the 20KK 250's (most I've read aren't as happy as the 400w 20kk).

Since you already have actinic supplements why not just replace the 10kk you have now? Either Ushio's (you know what they're like) or Aqualine Bushke (a bit whiter than Ushio I've heard, I've only have the AB). I'd use either of those two, which ever I could find on sale :lol:

 

[danmhippo]

I would go with another 10000K. Your actinic will supplement the additional blue wavelength. Besides, I do not like the 20000K's in my tank. I like my tank color to be warmer.

 

[Anonymous]

I agree- 10K with pc or vho actinic supplementation is a great combo, if you like the way it looks why change? As Erik said, on Radium bulbs (sometimes called 20K) the 250 is going to look a bit dim. The 400s are beautiful but for me a hair too blue to use alone.

Heres a thought- they have a new color of pc actinic- called super actinic pc or something like that- supposedly more like vho- sorry I forgot what its called but you might try that.

 

[Tybond]

Thanks for the replies.

I like the way my tank looks with the ushio and actinics but thought a quick survey of peoples thoughts would be a help.

This will be my first bulb change and to be honest, the only reason I went with the ushio last year was because of a sale i happened to get in on when buying the retro kit.

I do like the look and just wandered if there was something better because
I was initially planing on using the 6500k iwasaki untill I noticed I could get the ushios for 10.00 more.

Go figure, I got one thing right on the first try. And I thought i was all out of good luck cards :roll:

I'll look into the super actinic pc lamp and see what I find. One big dislike I have with my reef is that the PC actinics simply just make the tank look like it is being lit with a purple (blacklight) type bulb to me. Everything but the flouresent greens look washed out and just purple. I don't know if this is just me or not. I havn't decided to tear out the pc set to try VHO either so maybe it just bothers me and hasnt got me that disapointed.

Oh...

Can you use 20000k with the clams? or would it be to dim? Just curious from a knowledge base standpoint.

thnx

ty

 

[monkeyboy]

If you're happy with the color now, it will only get better when you replace the lamps. They will be much bluer than the old lamps are now. The tank looks very nice, and if you're happy with it, don't mess with a good thing.

On a side note, you said you only have 1 derasa, but i see what looks to be a nice crocea or maxima clam in the center, and maybe a darker derasa to the left.

 

[Tybond]

Good eye MONKEYBOY!

The clam in the center is a Dersa.

The clam you see in the lower left of the photo is a 2nd grade maxima.

I purchased the maxima 9 months ago as an attempt to see if I could keep clams. So far so good so I saved back a few bucks and bought the Dersa.

The Maxima has been traded to a fellow reefer who is attempting his first clam now.

Here is a photo of the dersa (I hope this is the correct name)

I didn't stop tp consider that the lights being a year old would lose some blue but I can see where your comming from. I'll order the 10000k and see what it looks like now.

Thanks.

ty

 

[monkeyboy]

That clam is a crocea, not a derasa, and a very nice one at that.

 

[Anonymous]

I would stick with the 10K germans. Switching to the 20K's would also require you to switch to an HQI ballast - and likely isn't worth it.

 

[VC]

I would stay with the 10 K either the AB or Ushio depending on you ballast type.

Vince