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04-14-2005, 07:18 PM
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#1
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The Reefer in the Boonies
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Little Canada MN
Posts: 1,721
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Anyone running Hamilton 14k bulbs?
On IceCap 250w ballasts or any ballasts? If so, have pics. The TOTM on RC looks pretty sharp and I am about to order new bulbs and wondering if I'd like them or not. Otherwise I will stick with Ushio 10k.
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04-14-2005, 07:34 PM
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#2
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TCMAS Used 'Ta Be
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Anoka, MN
Posts: 2,119
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The Ham 14ks have a really low PAR rating on the IC. I looked into them, and I believe they were the lowest of all the bulbs tested.
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04-14-2005, 08:52 PM
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#3
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Big Fishy
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Waconia, MN
Posts: 815
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All the pics I have posted recently have been with Hamilton 14k, with a hamilton ballast powering them.
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Kevin
Killer Buzz
150 Gallon Reef
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04-15-2005, 10:24 AM
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#4
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Big Fishy
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Oak Grove, MN
Posts: 505
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I tried the Hamilton 250w 14k bulbs running on M58 ballasts for 3 weeks to get them burned in. Running 220w of vho actinics with them the tank looked too blue for me. I went back to the Ushio 10k's. The next bulbs I am going to try are the XM 10k's or the Phoenix bulbs. |
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04-15-2005, 10:47 AM
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#5
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Big Fishy
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Waconia, MN
Posts: 815
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I am trying a XM 10k (250w) and I think they are too yellowish/greenish. I have a Hamilton 14k on one side and XM 10k on the other side of my tank. I am also running 220w of VHO actinics.
I am going to give this one a couple weeks to see if I change my mind. If I do not like them, I will probually sell the bulbs I have. (I am only using 1 of them)
Kevin
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Kevin
Killer Buzz
150 Gallon Reef
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04-15-2005, 11:02 AM
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#6
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Semi-retar...eh...retired
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Mpls, MN
Posts: 2,995
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If you like blueish but not real blue, I'd give the mogul XM 20Ks a try. I have the 250 watters running on IC ballasts and they kill the Radium 250s color-wise. It's not as blue as you'd think a 20K would be...I don't think I'll be using anything other than XMs for the foreseeable future....FWIW.
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04-15-2005, 11:13 AM
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#7
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Wingnut Jr.
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Hudson, WI
Posts: 3,460
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Graham, I think that's what Deseon was running as well. I've told several people since that I was amazed how white those 20k's ran. Just a touch on the blue side of white if you know what I mean.
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Frogbone: Comedian, humanitarian, world traveler, and the only Irishman born in Germany. How can he not be your hero too?
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04-15-2005, 11:28 AM
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#8
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Kichi Saru!
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: currently Nagaoka, Japan
Posts: 2,808
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Mike, Deseon was running AB 20Ks DE, he tried the XM 20K DE but they burnt some of his corals, so he switched to the ABs.
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Koi Acres
Fune de Nihon e ikimasu.
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04-15-2005, 11:55 AM
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#9
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TCMAS Used 'Ta Be
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Anoka, MN
Posts: 2,119
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Mark: Did Phoenix started making SE bulbs? I thought they only made DE bulbs. I've heard people have been having good results with them so far.
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04-15-2005, 12:29 PM
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#10
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Big Fishy
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Oak Grove, MN
Posts: 505
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Jake,
Yes there are some Phoenix SE bulbs available now. I'm not sure which ones, I have seen 400w 20k SE bulbs on a tank recently.
There is something to the 20k versus lower k bulbs of any brand. If the objective is strictly looks, the 20 k's would be the way to go IMO. If you are looking more for coral growth, the lower k rating bulbs will probably give faster growth all the way down to the 6500k bulbs if you like yellow  |
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04-15-2005, 12:30 PM
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#11
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TCMAS Used 'Ta Be
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Anoka, MN
Posts: 2,119
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Also did they decide if aquaconnect was the same as phoenix?
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04-15-2005, 12:38 PM
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#12
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Big Fishy
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Oak Grove, MN
Posts: 505
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hmmm, not sure about that. When I get some time I will look into the Phoenix bulbs further. I may give them a try soon if I can find them.
BTW, when I had the Hamilton 14k's in, the coral colors looked great compared to the Ushio 10k's, but trying to get the camera's white balance set for decent pics was next to impossible for me. Probably just the camera operator!
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04-15-2005, 01:08 PM
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#13
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Big Fishy
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Waconia, MN
Posts: 815
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by ReefSitter
BTW, when I had the Hamilton 14k's in, the coral colors looked great compared to the Ushio 10k's, but trying to get the camera's white balance set for decent pics was next to impossible for me. Probably just the camera operator!
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I have the same issues with my Hamilton 14k's. I'm blaming it on the lights, not the operator! 
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Kevin
Killer Buzz
150 Gallon Reef
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04-15-2005, 04:45 PM
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#14
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Wingnut Jr.
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Hudson, WI
Posts: 3,460
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by clownfishcrazy
Mike, Deseon was running AB 20Ks DE, he tried the XM 20K DE but they burnt some of his corals, so he switched to the ABs.
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Figures I'd get something about MH lighting screwed up. 
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Frogbone: Comedian, humanitarian, world traveler, and the only Irishman born in Germany. How can he not be your hero too?
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