New Bulb

[patchin]

I'm deciding on my next bulb and looking for advice. 175 watt with Hamilton magnetic ballast. Hamilton 14k weak. Ushio 10k bright but yellow. Is the Iwasaki 15k still a par buster with a magnetic ballast? How blue is it compared to the Hammie? Iwasaki is expensive! $100 at MD.
Thanks

 

[tuberider]

It's pretty white, not as yellow/green as the Ushio, and definitely a lot brighter than the Hammy. The Iwasaki needs actinic supplementation, it's pretty white and does not pop anything. I got mine through coralreefecosystems.com for less than marine depot.

 

[Gomer]

I'm in the same boat as you. looking for the magic actinic-less 175watt bulb. Getting tempted to spring for an aquaconnect (if I can find one)

 

[Apon]

Steve remember the Ushio that I gave you was older - I always thought they were pretty good white. I do have a new one if you want to just try it out.

 

[nukeproof]

When I used to have 175, I liked the way Coralife 10K looked. They were more like 14K-20K. I feel they were brighter than the Hami 14K.

Patrick

 

[tuberider]

XM 10k burns in much whiter than the Ushios IME, bright as hell too.

Good luck on the 14k, the only one I really liked was somewhat dim, didn't last long but had great color balance (Reef Optics generic eBay bulb).

 

[sfsuphysics]

My XMs worked funny, one day they'd burn really crisp white... other days without touching a damn thing, they'd be yellow, it wasn't something I honestly could explain other than a crappy old magnetic ballast.

As for overall look I absolutely love the 12k Reeflux, however that one doesn't put out much in the way of light energy, and I almost feel like it's a waste of electricity.

 

[patchin]

Yes, Arnold, I'll try your Ushio. I added you bulb to my other fixture with more actinic and it looks better. I'm hoping to go to a 75 or 90 ga (60x18x20) and still use to 175 bulbs. Opinions?

 

[tuberider]

20" is deep is totally doable with good reflectors, esp with a good ol' high par bulb.