Reeflux 10K no blue?

[recoiljpr]

All,

I have 2 175W Reeflux 10k MH bulbs running over my 65 gallon tank. These bulbs have only around 20 hours of use on them so far. The whites these bulbs give out are awesome, but my tank seems to have no real "blue" feel to it. I've never liked an overly blue tank, but I do like a little blue. Will these bulbs get bluer after the burn in?

If not, does anyone have experience with the reeflux 12k?

I am using Lumenbright reflectors and I have 0 room for supplemental lighting my tank is 36" long and only 18" wide and the lumenbright mini's are 16X16 so I see no way to add in T5, PC or other lights (unless anyone else has a creative idea)?

[JimD]

Reeflux 10k's are white and they most likely will stay that way. 12k's are much bluer, I way prefer the 10k's with T-5 actinics.

[brewercm]

What ballast are you running them on. I've always found that I get more of the blue spectrum out of bulbs when I used elect ballast vs magnetic.

But like Jim said the 10K are designed to be more white. I ran the 12Ks and they seemed to run close in color (at least to my eye) as my 14K Hamiltons.

[Gseclipse02]

i didnt like the 12k reeflux it was too blue for me i liked the 10k with t5 atinics

[brewercm]

i didnt like the 12k reeflux it was too blue for me i liked the 10k with t5 atinics


I just brought up that option since he says he has no room for adding supplemental lighting.

[aquasport24]

You prolly know already,but you get more growth than color with lower Kevin.

[recoiljpr]

I just brought up that option since he says he has no room for adding supplemental lighting.

Exactly, that's my problem. I would have to scrap my reflectors and get different ones to add T5's.

aquasport24, that's why I went with the 10k. I don't like the extreme blues from the 20k, but I was hoping the reeflux 10k would have more blue.

brewercm, I am running them on coralvue electronic ballasts.

[aquasport24]

You will get a little of both (growth and color) with 14K.

[JimD]

[QUOTE=aquasport24;688232]You will get a little of both (growth and color) with 14K.[/QUOT

You will also get a monotone effect with no true disinction between hues... However, given the efficiency of those particular reflectors, the 12k's may be a worthwhile option if theres no way to add actinics.... Many people here run them, you might want to put a call out and see if you can go see them in person before you buy...

[Kristy]

I love the color of our Reeflux 12Ks (but then we also run them with T5s so there is a lot of depth of color spectrum.) I think you will be much happier with the Reeflux 12Ks than what you are currently using. If you want to come see them, give us a shout the next time you are going to be in our area (SA near USAA or Medical center).

[recoiljpr]

I was thinking further about the T5 actinic supplementation. Since I cannot mount the t5 lights directly to the side, could I mount them below and almost even with the edges of the reflector?

Since I had lumenbrights, I purposely made my canopy extra high and so my bulbs are about 12+ inches from the water. If I mounted the T5's down around 6 inches from the water would that put too much heat on the T5's and reflectors? I'll post some pics of my canopy when I get home for reference.

[JimD]

That would work fine, thats how I have mine set up. Those reflectors are such good heat sinks, theres not much heat being forced downwards, most of the heat comes from the top. Its a good idea to have a couple of vent holes over them and also you should have some type of stand-off...

[brewercm]

Very good idea if you can squeeze them in there, you'll end up with the best of both possibilities that way.

[recoiljpr]

That would work fine, thats how I have mine set up. Those reflectors are such good heat sinks, theres not much heat being forced downwards, most of the heat comes from the top. Its a good idea to have a couple of vent holes over them and also you should have some type of stand-off...


I have them mounted directly to the wood. But I painted the inside of the canopy with rustoleum high heat spray (what you use on bbq pits, etc) they make a white one I used. Do you think I should still use a standoff? If so, what material?

Did you vent the top of the canopy, or the reflectors themselves? I made the back of the canopy totally open. I then have a coralvue fan blowing from the front to the back.

[JimD]

I would still vent the top of the hood, you can rout thin slots or drill a few holes over the reflectors... You can make stand-offs out of metal conduit.

[Beverly]

I have the Reeflux 12K's and they have great color..imo..but the heat from the MH are killing me. I recently added a chiller and the tank is fine, but now the heat from the chiller is roasting me in the living room!! Go figure...

[Gseclipse02]

I have the Reeflux 12K's and they have great color..imo..but the heat from the MH are killing me. I recently added a chiller and the tank is fine, but now the heat from the chiller is roasting me in the living room!! Go figure...


the electricity bill will roast you lol

[nextreefer420]

im also running a reeflux 10k but i think my tank looks wayy to blue. my bulb has also been used for a couple months

[JimD]

Reeflux 10k that looks way too blue?? You sure its not 12k? 10k's are white-ish.. Are you using actinics?

[recoiljpr]

I have the Reeflux 12K's and they have great color..imo..but the heat from the MH are killing me. I recently added a chiller and the tank is fine, but now the heat from the chiller is roasting me in the living room!! Go figure...

I'm having no problems from heat. I run my lights about 8 hours a day now (2 175W) and my temps never get above 79.5 or so. I run my house AC on 75, and my bulbs are mounted about 12" above the water using lumenbright reflectors in a 3/4 covered canopy.

[ongmat]

how about pheonix 14k? i've seen at aquatek, a show tank. it's nice spectrum.

[ongmat]

definintely elec ballast is important.

[junkstang]

i don't have any heat issues tank stays under 80, lights are a 250 & 175 mh about 6" above the water with a fan at each end of my fixture. the house stays @77

[tony]

huge 12k reeflux fan here

[recoiljpr]

Maybe its either that they bulbs have burned in more, or I'm used to them, but I don't miss the blue anymore. I love how the white's "pop" in the tank. Below is a crappy cell phone shot of the tank as it looks now. This is with no actinics, and my colors look good to me. I'll get some good shots tonight with my actual camera.

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb220/recoiljpr/tank.jpg

[ongmat]

the pheonix 14k is very blue. i just got 2 of'em. first hour runs, they r blue like t5 actinic bulb......i like the new look in my tank..