Yep. :) I don't wanna count the # of months on it now. Still going strong though, and I'll probably replace it with another.

I see Iwasaki has a 14k DE now in the 250W size. I might try that for my ritteri tank (250W DE over that one). Currently using a Ushio 14k on that one.

Yep, but I just brought the fixture back out to restart my in-wall tank. I was going to sell it...:lol:

You guys think they are as bright as the higher "K", [14& up], single ended 250 bulbs?

Unfortunately I don't really have any way to objectively quantify that. To the naked eye it's a bright, crisp-white colour. It is one of the nicest "white" lamps I've ever used. For brightness, I'd say it's easily comparable to an Ushio on a proper ballast - but unlike an Ushio, it is a probe start lamp, so runs, and starts, perfectly on my M57 ballasts.

Actually, the answer is a quantifiable "yes" when they are run on an electronic ballast according to Sanjay's results.

Thanks. I did read that awile back. Guess I should read it again. :smile:

I have just tried the 175w Iwasakis today and I have to say they are amazingly bright and this from someone who has been using 10k xms (the xms were going on 2 years old though :redface: )

Some pics

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...esnell/55g.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...snell/55g2.jpg

Still not as nice a colour as vhos but better then any other MHs I've tried but they have only had a few hours burn in time hopefully it will get even better. Now I wish I had gone for the Iwasaki 250w DEs as well

My 45g, 24in. H cube requires a halide. Its all sps corals.

After reading all info I can find on the 175w Iwasaki, I think thats what I,m going to use w/ an electronic ballast. The par readings are higher than any of the usual 250wSE 12K or 14K I have used in the past. Also I have been long time Iwasaki fan, using both the 250w & 400w 65K,s over many different tanks.

The 250,s mentioned, although a nice colour, just dont seem to cut it in par. I suppose one could use a higher par 250 bulb, such as 10K or some of the DE bulbs. I still would use electronic on that and not HQI.

Whatcha think? :smile:

I need to get some new bulbs. I'm on the wait list for them at Premium Aquatics, just wondered if there is someplace else that stocks them?

I see they are called 15k now.

JL Aquatics stocks them