Metal Halide bulb selection

[cephalotus]

So its time to change my bulbs, I am currently running 20k 250s on magnetic ballasts. I was wondering what bulb would give me the best color or pop ran on magnetic ballast. I am looking at 20k-24k.

Thanks,
Ryan

[Fishgeek88]

What brand do you run right now?

[cephalotus]

I run plusright 20ks now but would like to ubgrade. I have sylvania probe start magnetic ballasts is the problem.

Thanks,
Ryan

[jay13]

I run plusright 20ks now but would like to ubgrade. I have sylvania probe start magnetic ballasts is the problem.

Thanks,
Ryan

plusright are ebay bulbs..... and they might be great but for "name brand" look to xm 20k, hamilton 14k or even the reeflux 12k (although they seemed dim to me).

[cephalotus]

plusright are ebay bulbs..... and they might be great but for "name brand" look to xm 20k, hamilton 14k or even the reeflux 12k (although they seemed dim to me).

I realize these are cheap bulbs that is why I am upgrading. I realy want to know a decent 20k se bulb that will fire and burn right on a probe start magnetic ballast.

[jay13]

xm 20k, that will be your best bet........

[cephalotus]

xm 20k, that will be your best bet........

Do you know for sure that they will fire on a probe start ballast? If so I will prolly try one for now.

Thanks,
Ryan

[jay13]

Yes, they are designed for probe start. Scroll thru to table #2, make sure you are looking at se bulbs for xm.....
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-03/sj/index.php

[cephalotus]

Cool thanks,I guess I will try one of those first. Anybody else have $.02?