CV Reeflux 10k bulb

[gjuarez]

I have heard nothing but good things about these bulbs. I was just wondering if anyone is using them. From what I have heard, they are true 10k with just a hint of blue. Sanjay has them up there in PAR with the Ushios. In other words, you get nice coloration without sacrificing growth. This is what I have been looking for for a long time, it kind of seem to good to be true. If anyone is using them please provide some feedback and pictures if you have them. THanks
Jerry

[gjuarez]

ANYONE?

[TheOtherGuy]

I am going to try the ReefLux 12k bulbs on my tank at home. Currently, using 14k and am hoping I like them. I should have them by next weekend. I will post some comments once I use them for a couple days. Supposedly, after 100 hours of use then they show their true colors. So @12 hrs per day - I will need to wait about 8 or 9 days.

If I like them - then we will probably stock a couple.

[Reef69]

Let us know Mark, Im looking to get bulbs but having mixed emotions..10K XMs..or something else..sooo, keep us posted.

[TheOtherGuy]

I will!

I am also changing out my PFO magnetic ballast to CV electronic ballasts. I have a light meter so I am gonna see if there is any difference between these ballasts as far as light output. Just curious.....

[witecap4u]

whats the price on these....

[gjuarez]

Can't remember the price, but a lot of people of RC were raving about these. Texas Todd I believe is one of them. I wish Todd would jump in and let us know how they are doing after a couple of months of use. I have heard great short term results but I want to see how they do in the longterm.

[Someone]

Anybody know of a place to order these bulbs?

[TexasTodd]

I've been using them for a couple months now. I like them quite a bit.

I'd buy them again. :)

Got mine from www.reefnut.com.

Probably the best all around bulb I've ever run.

Todd

[gjuarez]

Hey Todd, thanks. I was waiting for you to chime in. Were you running the 10k or the 12k? Can you give us a tiny feedback on coloration and growth as opposed to hte other bulbs you have used.

[Richard]

Here's Sanjay's testing...
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/may2005/feature.html



Anybody know of a place to order these bulbs?


Yes ;).

[NaCl_H2O]

Opinions: My Hamilton 10Ks were installed 7/10/05 and I run a MH photoperiod of about 12 hours - is it time to replace them?

I have noticed coral coloration on a few pieces diminishing and thinking it might be time.

Todd - Are you using 10K Reeflux? Can you offer any comparison of these to Hamilton or Ushio 10Ks? I am looking for bright/crisp white without much, if any, blue.

[NaCl_H2O]

Yes ;).
I wonder how I might get a PM with the price for 400w mogul 10Ks :innocent

[Richard]

Hmmm...I don't know. Try checking the retailers section.

[NaCl_H2O]

Hmmm...I don't know. Try checking the retailers section.
Wow, we have great sponsors ... they can almost read our minds! This great thread about CV MHs is gong on, and poof, there is a thread under the retailers forum with the exact thing we are discussing ... amazing :)

[gjuarez]

This is Sanjay's summary of the bulb:

"The Coralvue Reeflux 10000K is a rather interesting lamp, which should have a more appealing look given that it has the large spike at 452 nm which is typical of the “20000K” lamps but has additional peaks at 534, 588 and 670 nm which should help in “whitening” the appearance of the lamp. The 250W lamp had a correlated color temperature ranging from 10093K- 17060K depending on the ballast used. "

Richard, after reviewing that article by Sanjay, what is your take on these bulbs?

[gjuarez]

Steve, if you want more in depth info you can go here:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=2c873b8ba824f9820f7b837f70ecccc4& threadid=622727&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

Todd, I hope you dont mind me quoting you from RC, your opinion means a lot ot us. Steve, here you go man:


"So far, my favorite bulb I've ever tried.

Here's what I've run at different points: Ushio 10kk, Ushio 20kk, Radium 20kk, XM 10kk, XM 20kk, EVC 14kk. All these bulbs were use for extended time periods.

Ushio 10kk best growth with decent color.
Radium probably best color, but growth sucked.
XM, bad quality, good growth, decent color (without attinics)

Coralvue Reeflux 10kk 400w SE on HQI ballast is hands down the best IMO.

Todd"


"

[TexasTodd]

That pretty much sums it up Jerry. :)

I've had 4 XM bulbs go bad just since JUNE!

Sorry for the non-sponsor post on where to get them. I'd definately check out CB Pets if they can get them in. My problem in the past is no local shops keep any decent MH bulbs. Heck, most don't stock any MH bulbs.

I still run a mix of these bulbs plus some low watt xm 20kk's....when they're working! But, I still don't have attinics...yet. :)


Steve, you should get 10-12 months out of a bulb IMO. You see some shock to the tank usually after going this long, but not too much. Your corals are pretty high up. Going to a higher K may help things color up more. If you have the HQI ballast, you may have some fun trying the Radium 20kk on the part of your tank that comes the closest to the surface. ;) switch the VHO over that part to the mixed daylight bulb to whiten the area up.

Todd

[gjuarez]

I think I am sold on these bulbs. I am going to give them a try. Todd, what ballast are you running them on?

[TexasTodd]

HQI 400 PFO.

T

[gjuarez]

Great, thanks. That seems to be one of the ballast that gets the most par out of the bulbs.

[GaryP]

Please note Sanjay's spectrum of these bulbs. You are getting almost no 420 nm light from the bulb. No 420 nm is probably going to result in less color pigment production in your SPS unless you are using a ton of actinic VHO.

[NaCl_H2O]

... unless you are using a ton of actinic VHO.
Got it covered ;)

[hobogato]

i know this is about the reeflux 10k bulb, but i thought id post a comparison pic of my 4 month old XM 15k and my new CV (regular) 14k. just as much if not more color with the CV and considerably brighter. BTW, changed because i have had 2 of the 3 XM bulbs i bought 5 months ago crack or just quit working. just cant afford to replace bulbs that often! it isn't quite that blue in person.

[TexasTodd]

Good call Ace. Same here with several breaking or just burning out.....very early!

TT

[hobogato]

just an addition, three of my clams that were not opening as much as they should are now opening up fully with these new CV bulbls, and the definitely have more color.

[gjuarez]

Gary, can you explain a little more please.