Fastest growth bulbs.

What is the best bulb for fastest growth bulb. (single or double)
Iwasaki sounds interesting. I wonder if heavy actinics can make it look decent.

Other than the Iwasaki.. which will be best for growth?

 

Ushio i heard were good for growth. But using lower kelvin increases the brown pigment and makes everything look horrible like your avatar.

 

Iwasaki 6500 I use the moguls I guess you can get them in HQI's ? a real work horse of a bulb last about 2.5 yrs average .Great growth but need to be supplemented for good coral coloration .

 

Wow. I didn't know they last that long.

 

Haha.
I was thinking about a low Kelvin for a while for growth then switch later for color.
;D

 

10,000k XM SE's are very good at PAR, just below the iwasaki's and they don't look like crap, unlike the iwasaki 6500k bulbs.


What ballasts will you run?

I just noticed your sig line. A lot is definitely 2 words. It's a pet peeve of mine as well. That and "come on" is not spelled "common".

 

Right now I have 250W electronic Icecaps.
I'm not married to them though.
Next year I may completely re-do my light system. I'd like to get some high end reflectors and maybe VHO or T5 supplements.

 

There is no guarantee that color will fully return once you switch to higher kelvin bulb. The brown pigment could remain there permanently.

I would start with a 14,000k, this will give you plenty of growth and retain the colors. Then switch to 20,000k later.

Most people skimp on the reflectors, get yourself some high quality Reef Optix. Having a higer kelvin bulb on a high quality pendant will give you awesome color and growth at the same time.

I would recommend Lumen Max Elite Reflector or Lumen Max 3 HQI Reflector

Along with Phoenix 14000K 250W DE HQI bulbs

 

Testing 250-watt Single-ended Metal Halide Lamps and Ballasts by Joe Burger - Reefkeeping.com

different ballasts, different bulbs on the different ballasts, PAR values for each, and finally pictures!

 

the 10000 k xm mogul base 250s and heavy actinics side lighting should give you good growth and ok color. I have always had good luck getting color out of my corals when I switch to a higher K later but that is only my experience