Coralvue, XM, or Ushio bulb - 150 HQI

[scubadude]

Well im having a hard time figuring out which bulb I want to burn....Im looking for par and good life sustainability they are all about the same price...The bulbs that I will probably get are the 10k DE....Just havent figured out which manufacturer I want to use yet....I have used Ushio and XM before and am fond of both...havent done anything w/ CV yet....All input appreciated

[charlie]

What the heck, give the Coralvue a shot. I have no experience with DE bulbs. Check out that Reef Exotics site I gave you on the other post????

[Reefland]

I'm going to give the Icecaps a try this go around. Just way too many bulb choices these days.

[charlie]

I'm going to give the Icecaps a try this go around. Just way too many bulb choices these days.

I'm so confused............................

[Poseidon]

I like the XM bulbs, CoralVue didn't work out so well for me.

[Samper]

From what I've seen from Coralvue bulbs they are cheap and last half as long as other brands. That's with T5's though I have no experience with the halides. I think I'd run the Ushio or XM over coralvue anyday.

[scubadude]

From what I've seen from Coralvue bulbs they are cheap and last half as long as other brands. That's with T5's though I have no experience with the halides. I think I'd run the Ushio or XM over coralvue anyday.

Yeah you and Mike kind of voiced what I was thinking....Im leaning toward the XMs or Ushios, so far anyway.....Dang I wish the AB bulbs werent so darn expensive!

Scott,
What made you sway to Icecap? I mean they have good standing w/everything else they make so thats probably good enuf to give them a shot?!

[Reefland]

Nothing in particular, just thought I would give them a try. As you mentioned, their reputation makes them worth trying.

[Reefland]

Well I got the Icecaps and I must say that I like them. We got the 20k's and although they are the whitest 20k's I have ever seen, they are a nice coloration. I have our hood about 17" from the surface right now (to acclimate) and the tank looks 2x as bright as it did with the Phoenix 14k's we were running.

[scubadude]

Pics yet scott?

[Reefland]

I knew that was coming. Not yet...

[Poseidon]

Oh come on!!!! Pictures man Pictures!!!

[Reefland]

Here is one that represents the coloration very well. Ignore the streak in the bottom right corner, that is what my camera caught of our powder blue.

[Reefland]

Keep in mind, this is strictly the 250w Icecap 20k DE's, we run no other lighting. A far cry from most 20k's huh.

[rjs5134]

Thanks for starting this thread Rocky... I'm nearing the point of changing my bulbs for the first time with a MH fixture and was terrified to make the decision. After all it took months to decide on a skimmer.

I love the look of Scott's Icecaps. I'd love to run those alone and get rid of my actinics.

Rob

[Reefland]

I like the looks of the Icecap 20k's alone. Now if I could get rid of this slight green algae problem we'd be in good shape. Had a local water quality issue when our RO/DI filters were already all but exhausted.

[Poseidon]

WOW! That is a FAST FISH! ;)

Those look nice Scott, try to kick the EV down to -1, it should lessen the hot spots on your rock.

[scubadude]

Thanks for starting this thread Rocky... terrified to make the decision.
Rob

NP...LOL tell me bout it....way too many bulbs now to keep up with!

Im actually going with 250HQI instead of 150 now
I ordered 2 XM DE 10k bulbs today...I may try a different bulb after I get my life out of these.

[Reefland]

Do you have the glass shields for these Rocky?

[scubadude]

yuppers see the bubble wrap underneath one of the fixtures? Thats the glass shields, just havent opened them up yet