150 DE Lighting options (10, 20, 14.5, 13??)

SeaHorse_Fanatic · #1 12-31-2006, 08:02 PM

Stay away from the Coralife Energysaver cheap bulbs. Very yellow, very quickly (10000k).

Hamilton 14000k is a what my friend TomR uses & is very happy with.

AndyL · #2 12-31-2006, 09:46 PM

If you're really not sure what you're after... Check ebay there are some sellers of some inexpensive HQI/mogul bulbs, at 10$ each its relatively cheap to try them out and see what temperature you (and your corals) prefer.

Theres a big long thread in RC's equipment forum "cheap ebay bulbs" or somesuch with some reviews / basic info.

andsoitgoes · #3 12-31-2006, 10:41 PM

Very interesting - only problem is they cover 175 and above, so nothing for the 150's - I do see there are some for 150, here:

http://cgi.ebay.ca/HQI-150W-14K-Doub...QQcmdZViewItem

if this works out, I may have the Seahorse get some in from J&L or HR - If the above one works, it's a great price (under 50 bucks) even if it only works for a few months - and then I can test out the 14k spectrum!

Now - the question is - will this work with the Aqualight Pro ballast?

AndyL · #4 12-31-2006, 10:58 PM

My 150de (tar ballast nothing special) will fire 175 de bulbs; if you look in my frag sale post i've got a picture up with a cheap (think it cost me 5.83$ shipped) 175w 14k...

andsoitgoes · #5 12-31-2006, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndyL

My 150de (tar ballast nothing special) will fire 175 de bulbs; if you look in my frag sale post i've got a picture up with a cheap (think it cost me 5.83$ shipped) 175w 14k...

HMMM - well now, that is interesting. I wouldn't be risking damage to my ballst, would I?

Which place did you order that one from? wouldn't mind looking back there and grabbing one to check it out

Danke!

AndyL · #6 12-31-2006, 11:43 PM

No idea on the ballast - mines been running for a fairly long time no problems.

Don't ask difficult questions

lights64 was the seller - not seeing any true auctions anymore though...

andsoitgoes · #7 01-12-2007, 02:40 AM

Thought I'd revive this with a few qs - PAR, PAR, PAR. I'm really interested in hearing what brands produce equal PAR in higher K temps.

From what I've seen, there are some brands (Hamilton) whose PAR drops as the K temp goes up - but XM bulbs don't?

What are the thoughts on this one?