MH bulbs

[kkiel02]

Ok heres the run down, I have two 250w mh 20k at the moment. They are at 7 months right now but I am kind of skeptical as the guy I bought them from wasnt exactly sure when he got his. Ive been paying alot of attention to peoples tanks recently with their mh choices and have decided to go 12k. I have coralvue pendants which include came with the coralvue ballast and lumenbright ballast. I think my tank it rather blue at this point and would love to get better growth. I have two vho super actinics which will wlso be changed fairly soon after the corals adapt to the 12 bulbs.

So my question is which se 12k bulb do you prefer and why?

[corruption]

Haven't had specific experience, but I've heard nothing but glowing reviews about the Reeflux 12k bulbs.. Everything I've heard points to stellar growth with outstanding color definition..

-Justin

[alton]

My 200 is mostly LPS with Frogspawn, candy cane, and GSP. I have had good luck with 12K Reeflux. Another good lamp is radium 20K. I do run 1 VHO Actinic with the 3 - 250 watt MH lamps. Since you have electronic ballast when you decide what you want, make sure they are pulse start lamps like the Reeflux or Radium.

[CoryDude]

I'm running Phoenix 250w 12K w/VHO actinics. Just a touch of blue with a crisp white. Good price with excellent color matching between the 2 bulbs.

Growth wise, it's the best bulb I've used without going to a 10K.

[hobogato]

another vote for reeflux 12K SE (the DE are not as nice) from me - that was my favorite when i ran halides after trying MANY different bulbs.

[Kristy]

We LOVE our Reeflux 12K SE - the color is just perfect for my taste.... a lovely blue hue but not too artificially blue, if that makes any sense.

Our lighting is a 250w MH SE 12K Reeflux at each end of the tank and 48" of T5s over the center (didn't want halides over that huge center brace). I am currently playing with the bulb configuration on the T5s to try to get it to match the 12ks better. Most do not really notice (like Mike, for example), but I am hugely aware of the discrepancy between the middle of the tank and the beautiful blue ends.

[BIGBIRD123]

another vote for reeflux 12K SE (the DE are not as nice) from me - that was my favorite when i ran halides after trying MANY different bulbs.

I agree....the 12k Reeflux are the bomb for the buck. I had the 400w 12k's on the 280g with NO actinic and all the color and growth that one could get w/o using 10k and a butt-load of actinics...

[Kristy]

PS: We run ours on the same Coralvue ballast as what you have also.

[kkiel02]

Well I guess Im going to stay with reeflux just go 12k. Thanks again for everyones opinions and explanations.