What 150W HQI BULBS TO USE

[Staplesofficewar]

Hey guys, I am on the verge of ordering my hellolights kits.

They are 150W HQI MH. It is the retrofit kit.

In the pulldown menu, they offer the following bulbs in 14000K:

Hamilton
Phenoix
CoralVue

They also show a 12000K Reeflux bulb as available for the setup. For some reason they do not show all of the 14000K bulbs in the drop down...
Like from XM, Ushio, or Iwasaki

I want a bulb that has a slight blue hue. Nothing over whelming. I was recommended the 14k Current Bulbs, but it does not look like Hello carries them.

What is everyones opinion.

Thanks!

[fihsboy]

I would like to see everyones favorites as well

[Staplesofficewar]

Also, Ill be running two 24" T5s as well the 2 150W 14K MH. Should I do one actintic and one 10k? Both actinitic.

Out of everything in reef keeping, lighting seems to be the most broad ranging subject.

[bgbeards]

I did the kit with one 250w Phoenix and the 10000k t5's. The t5's are pretty blue, my phoenix is pretty white with only a little blue. How deep is your tank? You may want 250's for light penetration. I went with a single too. It covers my tank perfect (30" wide). I am mounted 10" above water. You might also call them, they are very knowledgable. I was also debating two 150's vs. 250. Depends on your width though. I am very happy with the phoenix. When it comes on later today I'll try and remember to snap a pic for you.

[Staplesofficewar]

Originally Posted by bgbeards

I did the kit with one 250w Phoenix and the 10000k t5's. The t5's are pretty blue, my phoenix is pretty white with only a little blue. How deep is your tank? You may want 250's for light penetration. I went with a single too. It covers my tank perfect (30" wide). I am mounted 10" above water. You might also call them, they are very knowledgable. I was also debating two 150's vs. 250. Depends on your width though. I am very happy with the phoenix. When it comes on later today I'll try and remember to snap a pic for you.

Thanks! A pic would awesome. I ordered two 150W HQIs last night and a kit with 2 24" actinitic lights. The MH bulbs I got are 14000K Phoenix. Trial and error I guess. I could find some pics of them that I liked, and others of them that I disliked. I should have them by the 11th and installed that night. Ill post pics...of course!

[bgbeards]

it won't let me post pictures till 20 posts. I'll see if I can get my count up.

[bgbeards]

Here is the T5's by themselves.

[bgbeards]

Here are the T5's and 250W Phoenix.

[bgbeards]

The pictures are a little washed out, it's not as bright as the pictures look. The color might be a touch blue-er, but still pretty white light.

[fihsboy]

Nice looking tank BG. Thats a perfect looking blue.

[Staplesofficewar]

SaWeet! I am very happy with my selection based on your pictures.


I am a touch wider with 36" It looks like i I may be ordering some 10K T5's I did not notice that your specified those and not the actintics. They are cheap enough though, so its not a show stopper.

Thanks for the pics!

[fihsboy]

What kind of tank is that? Thats a pretty nice setup there.

[bgbeards]

Its a clear for life bent glass 50. Not standard size 50 though, its only 30" wide and a touch taller than standard. I got it with stand and canopy for only 300 new. So I can't complain about the strange size. It fits better in the spot it in too. I did have to redo the canopy (made it 12" tall overall) to get metal halide high enough off water.

[Staplesofficewar]

Originally Posted by bgbeards

Its a clear for life bent glass 50. Not standard size 50 though, its only 30" wide and a touch taller than standard. I got it with stand and canopy for only 300 new. So I can't complain about the strange size. It fits better in the spot it in too. I did have to redo the canopy (made it 12" tall overall) to get metal halide high enough off water.

How do you determine height off the water? The center of my bulbs will be about 6" or so off the water....

[fihsboy]

Yeah.....mine are about 5-6 inches off the water max.....