[reggiepe]

I have one of the clamp on Coralife lights. THe output of the included 150 watt bulb has alot to be desired. What would a recommended replacement bulb be? I have seem the Hamilton 10k bulbs and I was really impressed with the colors. Is there another bulb that gives as good as or better output with the 10k rating? Maybe you guys don't think the Hamiltons are a good choice either. Just looking for a suggestion.

[Reefland]

reggiepe,

It is very hard to answer this since bulbs manufactured by different companies with a 10k rating are going to look different. The kelvin applied is more of a marketing rating than anything. My 14k Phoenix bulbs look identical to our old 20k AB bulbs as an example.

With that said, you need to determine if you want a crisp white or more blue, and then just pick a reputable manufacturer. Hamilton bulbs are fine. So are many others.

[Ninong]

The Ushio/BLV 150w 10,000K HQI DE lamp is a good one. It has excellent PAR for that size.

BTW, Hamilton manufactures light fixtures but not lamps. Their lamps are branded for them by other manufacturers.

P.S. -- I haven't been keeping up with who makes what lately, so I'm not sure who makes the Coralife lamps. What was the Kelvin rating on the 150w HQI DE lamp that was included with the Coralife fixture?

[reggiepe]

Ok, so when someone say they have a Hamilton 10k, it is mfg by someone else. Does anyone know if they change to the cheapest mfg at the time to etch their branding on, or do they stay consistent as to the mfg?

Ninong: the lamps are 20k in that particular fixture. Doesn't seem very bright at all. I am looking for something that is crisp white to put in there and get some good growth out of as well. I was told that a 10k is a good happy medium for both looks and growth. Thanks for the suggestion. I will shop around for the best price for the Ushio bulbs.

[Ninong]

The Ushio/BLV 150w 10,000K HQI DE lamp will produce more than double the PAR of a typical 20,000K 150w lamp.

You can get the 150w 10,000K HQI DE lamps at Drs. Foster & Smith for $89.99 each or you can get them for $59.99 each at Marine Depot or $59.95 each at Premium Aquatics.

Hamilton Technology sells their 150w 10,000K HQI DE lamp for $59.95 each, too, but I'm not sure if it's still coming from BLV's plant in Bavaria just outside of Munich or not. BLV is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ushio of Japan. All of Ushio's hobby metal halide lamps are produced at the BLV plant. They could be branded Ushio or BLV. They also produce metal halide lamps for at least two or three other vendors and stamp them with different brands. They're all the same. Only the name is different.

There are a lot of metal halide lamps coming out of China and Taiwan lately but I really haven't kept with the more recent offerings.

My first choice for a 150w 10,000K HQI DE lamp would be Ushio/BLV and my second choice would be AB-10000, sold by Aqua-Medic.

[reggiepe]

Thanks Ninong. That information helps me out alot. Now.......out with the plastic....and some Pet store trick or treating go I.


Rich