mh bulbs

[paats]

Finally got my 250W mh pendants I`ve been threatening to get and ordered the ballast today.I decided on the double ended bulbs because of the higher output.I want to hang them from the ceiling so I don`t want to supplement with actinics.I`ve seen pics of the 20k bulbs and they`re WAY too blue for me.I`ve also read that the 10k`s are too white for some people.Anyone have a happy medium bulb to suggest?I`d also like to know a brand and where I can order.

Thanks, Pat

 

[krullulon]

tee-hee -- check http://reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=50497 -- just a few notches down from your post -- and read the entire thing... very enlightening. ;-)

 

[DaisyPolyp]

:!: LOL :!:

 

[paats]

Thanks krullulon.I think I like the way those 10k`s look in the pic.

 

[Unarce]

Thanks krullulon.I think I like the way those 10k`s look in the pic.

Just so you know, not all 10K's are the same. The Ushio 10K double-ends will look a bit yellow compared to the Ushio 10K moguls in the Penn State pic. If yellow isn't to your liking, than the AB 10K and XM 10K will offer a crisp white with a slight blue tint. Hamilton and Aquaconnect offer 14K double-ends, but they're hard to find right now. Giesemann also makes a high quality 13K.

Is your head spinning yet? :wink:

 

[paats]

After some more reading I`ve ordered the Giesemann`s. Gotta start somewhere I guess. Thanks folks

 

[ChrisRD]

The Giesemanns are a great choice IMO.

Also, keep in mind when you see digital pics of lighting, especially the bluer lighting like 14K and 20K, the pics are often not very accurate. Sometimes the pics can look dimmer and bluer than the lamps really look in person.

Also, the ballast can be a big factor. 20Ks/14Ks on magnetic HQI ballasts will often be much whiter and brighter than they are on electronic ballasts.

HTH

 

[DaisyPolyp]

Also, keep in mind when you see digital pics of lighting, especially the bluer lighting like 14K and 20K, the pics are often not very accurate. Sometimes the pics can look dimmer and bluer than the lamps really look in person.

I second that opinion. It is nearly impossible to get correct coloration from the digital pics, especially when you have no control on how the viewer's monitor is calibrated. Best way is to use the specrum charts that most manufacturers provide... its very easy to see what will look more blue or more yellow etc.

 

[shawnz28]

A buddy of mine is running Hamilton 14K's moguls with no actinic supplement and he is quite happy with them.

 

[mark78]

The K on the bulb may be meaningless. I saw a 50000K bulb the other day lol

 

[ChrisRD]

The K on the bulb may be meaningless.

I agree. The ratings are just thrown around in the hobby and mostly seem to be a marketing thing...

 

[mark78]

I really like the look of the 12,000K sunburst, 14k hamilton, and 20k XM bulbs. The 12k is the cheapest of the bunch cost wise

 

[Mihai]

Pat,

I'm looking to buy HQI pendants as well. After some research I got to the conclusion that I'll buy the PFO ReefOptix III pendant + dual PFO ballasts and a 14K Hamilton. Just curious, why the Giesemann's? They seem twice as expensive than the PFO setup. Perhaps for good reasons...

Thanks for the help,
Mihai

 

[cdeakle]

I really like the look of the 12,000K sunburst...

Worst bulb I have ever used.....

 

[paats]

Mihai, I keep reading the different accounts of what looks best (and makes the lovely corals grow).I got the reef optix pendants also.I finally came down to wanting more than 10k but less than the 20k.Seems that the 14k range is what I would prefer visually,but I haven`t seen any of these bulbs with my own eye so I`m taking a shot at what I think would work for me.Hope I like them or someone here might get a good buy on slightly used bulbs.

 

[hillbilly]

I run 20k's, and while they do look slightly blue, they don't look as dark blue as a lot of the pictures I see. I've never used 14k bulbs, but have seen them in person running on tanks, and I thought they looked fine.

 

[Mihai]

Hold on a second. The bulb and the pendant are two different things. You can buy the reefoptix pendants with whatever bulbs you'd like. I was asking why did you go for giesemann (better quality, more light, cooler, etc, etc).

M.

 

[paats]

As far as picking them over the other bulbs it`s not a big deal.I`ve read good and bad things from people on this and (GASP) other forums about almost every company out there.There was no science behind the choice.I simply wanted something between 10k and 20k and the 13k was a convenient pick with a company that seems to turn out good products.I think the Hamiltons are cheaper,I simply wanted to try the Giesemanns to see if I would like them.I might as well have flipped a coin.If you go with the Hamiltons we can at least compare opinions and experience.For the record ,I`m aware that bulbs and pendants are two different things.I guess your phrase "PFO setup" confused me.

Pat

 

[Mihai]

OK, thanks for taking the time. I don't see any serious reasons not to go with my choice then.

Regards,
Mihai

 

[Anonymous]

Anybody using the PFO 13Ks?

If so how do you like them?