Which halide bulbs should I get? Suggestions plz.

[rskillz]

I have a 72 bowfront, which came with an old retrofit for 2 250 MH and 2 110watt VHO. I've decided to invest in Lumenbright reflectors and remove the retrofit completely, and just go with my 6 Current USA powerbrite actinics as my moonlights/supplemental lighting because I love their color so much.

With that said, I have a mixed reef heavy on SPS. Which bulbs would you suggest? I like a more blueish popping color, not so much on white. I have older Icecap ballasts I plan to hook up to the new Lumen Moguls.

I guess the obvious answer are the Radiums, but are there any other kick *** single end 250watts you guys have used that would be great?

Any suggestions appreciated.

 

[cr500_af]

One vote for the "obvious answer" here.

I've never seen a 250w SE bulb whose color I liked as much as Radiums.

 

[stoney1118]

ive used coralview reflux bulbs, the 20k seems to burn more like a 14k to me, i only got them bc i got a great deal on them, ive had a set of 250's and 400's and i had fantastic growth under both, however i went with radiums this go round. id say if you cant find a killer deal and its within 20 or 30$ just go with the radiums.

 

[rededge2k1]

cr500_af;596441 wrote: I've never seen a 250w SE bulb whose color I liked as much as Radiums.

Agreed. Assuming you have the proper ballast, Radiums can't be beat, in my opinion.

Dustin

 

[rskillz]

RedEDGE2k1;596446 wrote: Agreed. Assuming you have the proper ballast, Radiums can't be beat, in my opinion.

Dustin

I have an older Icecap, probably 4 years old. I don't really see a model number on em, came with a Captive Sun retrofit.

 

[fish scales2]

Hmmmm....I believe all icecaps are electronic. I think they will work.


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[acroholic]

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Can't beat Radiums. No need for supplemental actinic with these. All I use. Only other suggestion, although I have no experience with the SE at all, might be the Phoenix 14K in 250 watt SE form. The SE version is pricey, however. Their DE bulbs are very nice as well.

 

[rskillz]

I concur Acroholic, at this point it is down to the Phoenix 14k or Radium 20k. Worried the Radium would be too blue and have less PAR than Phoenix bulbs.

 

[crewdawg1981]

Honestly, I've run 20k and 12k and 14k bulbs. I currently have the 250 watt se radiums and combined with good reflectors my corals are still mad at the change weeks later and on the sandbed of my 180.

The color is not that blue at all honestly, but the pop from the corals is awesome! Seems like the color in my corals, hermit, rocks, etc. is just that much more vibrant.

 

[acroholic]

I'd get the Radiums personally, and one of our Sponsors sells them for $70 each. PM me if you want to know who.