250watt HQI bulbs recommendation

[clos10]

Ok, so I have a 110gallon reef, it is the length of a standard 55 but thicker and about twice as tall. I have a 250 watt metal halide and power compact set up.. I need to replace the metal halide bulbs. I am not sure how many ks they are and I am very ignorant on this subject. All I know is they seem very white , Id like more blue color and I am not sure if that means 20k , 14k etc.....Someone please recommend something for me.

[Amphiprion]

If you'd like more blue light, check out the double-ended Phoenix 14K lamps. From what I've seen, Giesemann Megachrome 13K lamps are quite bright and a bit whiter in spectrum compared to Phoenix lamps, but can't really find retailers with them. Ushio 14K lamps are also nice, IMHO.

[mikelush78]

what is the difference between the cheaper bulbs you can get on like e-bay vs the name brand anyone know? it seems silly to pay $60 for one bulb when you can get it for $15 or $20 on e-bay....

[clos10]

Great question MIke, i was actually looking on ebay for Bulbs and saw some very inexpensive ones, no name brand of course. Is the higher the number for example 20k , mean its more blue? and 10k more white that seems to be what I am getting

[mikelush78]

Yes the 20k is blue and 10k is what, i usually get 14k which has a little blue in it along with my actinic VHO's that i have... also just so you know the last time i ordered them on e-bay they are the ones that i have been using for oer 2 years now lol... i just bought somemore from e-bay ro replace them since they only last so long in the correct spectrum

But i didnt have nay problem with the ones i bought last time so i ordered more today