A few SE MH Questions..

[Dominican]

I'll be looking for new 12-14k 250W Halide bulbs within the next few months...

I've read here from our more experienced members that 12K Reeflux come highly recommended. While scrounging around the web for reviews on SE bulbs, I've read a few reports that 12k Reeflux can be comparatively dim. Can that be considered true?

Also, are ANY of the Phoenix or Gieseman bulbs SE? I can't find any.

And finally, does anyone have any experience with Radium 250W 14k bulbs? I've only found them in a couple of places, and they're EXPENSIVE...

[greenmako]

12, 14, and 20k bulbs will be dimmer compared next to a 10k bulb but they are still very bright.

I've used 12 reeflux's and Radiums (all 400w versions) I like both bulbs and especially like the reeflux as it is a lot cheaper usually. Both bulbs look very similar when paired with actinic supplementation. If ran alone I think the Radium looks slightly better. Par values when I tested the radiums against 10k reefluxs was almost identical but I don't know if it will hold true on the 12k 250w.

[Dominican]

Thanks Greenmako. I'd be running three 250 reflux 12K's with 2 superactinic VHOs. That should be a good compromise between color and growth?

[CoryDude]

I use SE 250W BlueLife 14K but they're actually closer to a 12K. It's a nice compliment and isn't as white/yellow as 10K but gives you better/faster growth than 14K's or 20K's.

[alton]

Remember although Reeflux lamps will work with magnetic ballast they will burn 25% brighter with coral vue electronic ballast because they are pulse start lamps not probe start. Both 175w MH and 250w have lasted me 18 months before I changed. But please do not go this long unless you have a meter to always check, because your eyes can not tell you when lamps go bad. And it is too late when your coral tell you have a problem. Been there, done that. All I run is 12K Reeflux

[hobogato]

before the switch to solar, i was running all reeflux 12K 250 watt on CV electronic ballasts and loved em. have tried MANY bulbs before settling on those.....

[CoryDude]

I'm switching from 250W Mogul to 250W DE. Are Reeflux available as HQI DE's? Everyone keeps talking about this brand, so I guess I need to try them.

[hobogato]

they are, but the color is not as nice with the DE 12K. it is white, bordering on yellow - more like a 10K

[Dominican]

There's no doubt left in my mind - 12 Reeflux. I'd be running them with electronic ARO ballasts (LMH 120-250). Would these work well with them? Also, how long should I expect them to last, running 8-9 hours a day?

[CoryDude]

12 months is a good rule of thumb on MH bulb replacement and 6-8 months on those VHO Actinics.

Thanks for the heads up on the DE Reeflux info Ace.

[Dominican]

As usual, thanks to all of you guys for the feedback..