Comments on: SuperCool (SupaKuru) E26 dichroic mirrored metal halide lamps for your reef aquarium http://reefbuilders.com/2009/07/07/supercool-superkuru-e26-dichroic-mirrored-metal-halide-lamps-for-your-reef-aquarium/ Sat, 20 Mar 2010 00:02:01 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: dmorel http://reefbuilders.com/2009/07/07/supercool-superkuru-e26-dichroic-mirrored-metal-halide-lamps-for-your-reef-aquarium/comment-page-1/#comment-5565 dmorel Tue, 07 Jul 2009 18:06:22 +0000 http://www.reefbuilders.com/?p=8247#comment-5565 Well I can tell you a bit about these lamps from actual experience. I currently run a tank with 3 superkuru fixtures, I run two of the deep blue bulbs and one aqua blue at the moment. I also run 2 MT 150's and four of the won brothers spots in 15 and 20K mixed. En route from Japan as we speak I have an additional two superkaru fixtures, one more MT 150 and a pair of MX LED spotlights. Plus a whole bunch of replacement bulbs. I'm hoping to pull the won brothers spots mostly out of the mix once the new fixtures arrive. It turns out they are trialing a new color bulb as well, they call this cobalt blue. I was able to track down one of those as well, so I'll be swapping that out. Couple of notes: They are beautiful fixtures, but to be honest a tiny bit flimsy. The actual fixture quality is a tad suspect, especially for the high dollar. But... they are really good looking ;) The bulbs have a relatively short life. Roughly 6 months until you begin to see a massive color shift and have to replace. At just over 150 bulb plus shipping, this is not easy to stomach. They are true spotlights. Which means you need many fixtures to cover a large area. There are different versions of the bulb, most folks use the narrow beam, which is a nice focused spot. This is what I use as well. I am told there is also a wider beam which may be more effective in covering more space with fewer fixtures. However the beauty of these spots I suspect would be affected by spreading a wider beam. In so much as the focus of the light, and the ability to highlight corals is a key consideration. I have seen some excellent coloration of my corals with these bulbs and am really happy overall with them. I will fully admit that getting these fixtures is in and of itself a difficult task when you are in the US, but it's not impossible. The cost also can be overwhelming, but if you are looking to do something spectacular with your tank, I can't recommend them enough. I'm happy to chat about this lighting with anyone interested, just let me know. -dm If there is anything you guys want to know about the practical use Well I can tell you a bit about these lamps from actual experience.

I currently run a tank with 3 superkuru fixtures, I run two of the deep blue bulbs and one aqua blue at the moment. I also run 2 MT 150’s and four of the won brothers spots in 15 and 20K mixed.

En route from Japan as we speak I have an additional two superkaru fixtures, one more MT 150 and a pair of MX LED spotlights. Plus a whole bunch of replacement bulbs. I’m hoping to pull the won brothers spots mostly out of the mix once the new fixtures arrive.
It turns out they are trialing a new color bulb as well, they call this cobalt blue. I was able to track down one of those as well, so I’ll be swapping that out.

Couple of notes:
They are beautiful fixtures, but to be honest a tiny bit flimsy. The actual fixture quality is a tad suspect, especially for the high dollar. But… they are really good looking ;)
The bulbs have a relatively short life. Roughly 6 months until you begin to see a massive color shift and have to replace. At just over 150 bulb plus shipping, this is not easy to stomach.
They are true spotlights. Which means you need many fixtures to cover a large area. There are different versions of the bulb, most folks use the narrow beam, which is a nice focused spot. This is what I use as well. I am told there is also a wider beam which may be more effective in covering more space with fewer fixtures. However the beauty of these spots I suspect would be affected by spreading a wider beam. In so much as the focus of the light, and the ability to highlight corals is a key consideration.

I have seen some excellent coloration of my corals with these bulbs and am really happy overall with them. I will fully admit that getting these fixtures is in and of itself a difficult task when you are in the US, but it’s not impossible. The cost also can be overwhelming, but if you are looking to do something spectacular with your tank, I can’t recommend them enough.

I’m happy to chat about this lighting with anyone interested, just let me know.

-dm

If there is anything you guys want to know about the practical use

]]> By: G http://reefbuilders.com/2009/07/07/supercool-superkuru-e26-dichroic-mirrored-metal-halide-lamps-for-your-reef-aquarium/comment-page-1/#comment-5561 G Tue, 07 Jul 2009 16:43:00 +0000 http://www.reefbuilders.com/?p=8247#comment-5561 Looks like the Iwaski PAR36 lamps we saw several years back. IIRC the 20KK had issues with the dichroic mirror coating coming loose. Hope these have jumped that hurdle! http://www.advancedaquarist.com/images/sept2004/review_photos/index.htm Looks like the Iwaski PAR36 lamps we saw several years back. IIRC the 20KK had issues with the dichroic mirror coating coming loose. Hope these have jumped that hurdle!

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/images/sept2004/review_photos/index.htm

]]> By: Charles http://reefbuilders.com/2009/07/07/supercool-superkuru-e26-dichroic-mirrored-metal-halide-lamps-for-your-reef-aquarium/comment-page-1/#comment-5558 Charles Tue, 07 Jul 2009 16:20:56 +0000 http://www.reefbuilders.com/?p=8247#comment-5558 I always wondered how much these things cost, at 400, its not THAT bad. any idea where i can get them shipped out to California? :) I always wondered how much these things cost, at 400, its not THAT bad. any idea where i can get them shipped out to California? :)

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