Higher K bulbs and sps growth rate with zeovit?

[Tom Berry]

I am curious if people using higher K bulbs (14 or 20K) with zeovit are getting good growth?

It's time to replace my bulbs. I love the appearance and coral coloration I get with my 250W AC 14K SE/mogul bulbs. However, I would like to see better growth than I have had, so far.

The mantra has been 10K for growth, 20K for coloration. The ACs really seem to be a good balance between the two. I am wondering, though, if I would see a significant increase in growth with a bulb like the Giesemann 13K, and would the tradeoffs be worth it?

Zeo users in general, seem to be getting excellent growth, and I'm wondering if K is less of a factor when using zeovit? Will my growth, with the ACs, accelerate as I move closer to a nutrient poor state?

Tom

[gqjeff]

Tom, I am running xm20K myself.. growth is fine but I think with zeo it will be whatever bulb you use.. I am trying to decide myself now If I want to stay xm20k or maybe go G13K myself.. I am adding 2 vho uri actinics and 2 blue+ bulbs driven with an IC660 soon.. I think maybe with the xm it will be to blue.. That is the reason I am leaning towards the G13k.. My old setup I always ran 10k with vho actinics and loved the color.. I really have no idea why I got away from that setup in the first place.. After using the 20k bulbs though when I see the 10k color I do not like it at all.. I wish I could see some pics of strictly G13k pics... If anyone has pics of the G13k please post.. If you can do it with and without actinic if you can also please...

[Aged Salt]

Hi Tom, maybe Alexander can give his opinion with the different bulbs he has used while on ZEOvit. My eyes tell me the Giesman is brighter than AC, but I'm unsure about the differences in PAR ratings, though. Both are good lamps so it's a personal choice. Bob

[gqjeff]

I really think a lot has to do with the ballasts you run.... Each bulb acts SO much different on different ballast..

[Aged Salt]

No question, Jeff, about that. I'm talking about my expereince with HQI ballasts. Bob

[G.Alexander]

Jeff & Bob I fear I can not post helpful information in this thread. Until now I only used the 10 k BLV bulbs and will give the 13 k AquaMedics a try with the next change, because for my pleasure the BLV are a little bit to yellow. Running them without the blue T5 tubes creates a very ugly light.

Over here we do not have a lot of experience with electronic ballast, magnetic ballast is used. As Jeff told the ballast plays a big roll. Thomas did experiments with the AC 14 k bulbs, some years ago and growth, also coloration was not as it should to be. But this was with a magnetic ballast, nothing which can be converted to the present situation.

G.Alexander

[nyfireman3097]

i had 20k xm bulbs on my tank w/ a electroinic ballast i changed over to 10k and BAM amazing the growth spurt that i had simply amazing
Nick

[Orion76]

Alexander do you have any experience with the Tridonic ballasts? Are they popular with reef keepers in Germany? They came with my lighting fixtures but I can't find any info on them.

I use them to drive my BLV 10,000K and Radium 20,000K.

[G.Alexander]

Orion, I am sorry I never used electronic HQI ballast. I can not tell you why, but they are not used over here and are also hard to get & expensive. As I know AquaMedic invited the first electronic ballast fixture last year with their new lighting system, but this is the only company I know.

G.Alexander

[Orion76]

Alexander, I think the Tridonics are magnetic ballasts from Germany? That's why I am asking.

It says TRIDONIC ATCO OGLI 400 C044W on the ballast, made in Germany.

http://www.tridonicatco.com/kms/medi...hid_uk_248.pdf

[G.Alexander]

Orion, my lighting fixture came with magnetic ballast from a German company called Vossloh Schwabe:

http://www.vossloh-schwabe.com/eng/

I am not the electronic expert but I expect the magnet ballasts do not have the differences like the electronic.

Moonpod maybe can tell you something more.

G.Alexander

[Ger]

Timon, there are several manufacturers in Europe using the Tridonic products for their lights. I am not familiar with the models but all in all they have a very good reputation.

[Tom Berry]

Gary,

Would you be able bring in the Aqua Connect SE bulbs? The current importer can't sell their stock of DE bulbs, now that people know that the Phoenix is the same bulb for a lot less. They may not bring in any more of the SE ACs. reefgeek is bringing in the Phoenix SE bulbs, but my understanding is that they are not the same as the ACs.

I love the AC bulbs. On magnetic HQI ballasts, they are just about perfect, in terms of appearance and sps coloration. It's time to change them out, but I could only get one bulb. The main reason I'm considering the Giesemann, is because I may not be able to get another AC.

Tom

[nyfireman3097]

Why are the SE Phoniex not the same as the AC's?
Nick

[OUinLA]

Tom, where are you hearing the Pheonix SE might not be like the AC 14K SE? Also, what are you hearing about the differences?

Also, have you always ran your SE bulbs on the mag ballast? Do you notice a shorten bulb life?