mister crabs Posted February 5, 2008 Share Posted February 5, 2008 I have a 175w PFO halide pendant with 2x28w PC's. I am going to replace the PC's with actinics and get a new halide bulb. Question is which one should i get? I like alot of blue but want good growth as well. I was thinking about the hamilton 14k or possibly another 20k XM. (which is in there now.) Its a mogul base if that matters. One more question.....If I decide i want to upgrade my bulb to a 250w do i just need a new bulb and ballast or a new socket as well? I want to get a 60 acrylic cube and want to up my wattage. thanks for your help as usual guys!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spectra Posted February 5, 2008 Share Posted February 5, 2008 I would go 14K I think that 20K that was in there was to blue. I really liked the color with only the MH on but the corals did not grow to much with it. I am going with a 14K on my new 250 MH. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mister crabs Posted February 5, 2008 Author Share Posted February 5, 2008 thats what I was thinking. I am going to switch out the 10k and 50/50 compacts that are in there for some true actinics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lundy24 Posted February 5, 2008 Share Posted February 5, 2008 You might take a look at the Iwasaki 15K. Its just a little blue but has huge par. I think with actinic suplements it would look prettty good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mister crabs Posted February 5, 2008 Author Share Posted February 5, 2008 ok...will check it out! thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mister crabs Posted February 6, 2008 Author Share Posted February 6, 2008 Anyone using a 15k bulb? they are like $30 more than a 14k bulb. is it worth the difference? Im going to have 64w of 03 actinic in there as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mister crabs Posted February 21, 2008 Author Share Posted February 21, 2008 OK so the LFS told me if i was going to have taht much true 03 actinic that I might want to use a XM 10k bulb. they said its yellow but has HUGE growth rates and that the actinic will blue up the color to the eye. anyone using these bulbs? Im going to order today when i get home from work so all help is appreciated. thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 I was using them and I did get good growth but I found them too yellow, even supplemented with 2x VHO actinics. I've since switched to Reeflux 12K and I'm much happier with their color, though I still run the actinics. Coral growth is decent under them too, even though their PAR rating is far lower than the XM10K bulbs. I'm running 2x 250W SE on an M58 (magnetic) ballast, over an 18" deep tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mister crabs Posted February 21, 2008 Author Share Posted February 21, 2008 Ok so I ordered 2 actinic PC's and an Aqualine AB 10000k MH 175w which has great par readings and the website from Hellolights.com states its a 13000k color temperature so it should be a nice icy white color. will post pics once i recieve the bulbs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.