10000k 14000k 20000k

[luther1200]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15021824#post15021824 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BeanAnimal
I have used XM 20K and they were way too blue and the PAR output sucked.

I switched to Phoenix 14Ks and was happier, but the PAR was still a bit low and the bulbs were still a bit too blue.

I am now running the IceCap Anthony Calfo 14K bulbs and could not be happier. They are very crisp white with a decent touch of blue (no yellow at all). The corals look wonderful and have colored up better than with any other bulb I have used.

Did you measure the PAR with a meter, or are you just going on how they looked?

 

[BeanAnimal]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15027523#post15027523 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by luther1200
Did you measure the PAR with a meter, or are you just going on how they looked?

In my previous post:
So here is my take... Like I said, my corals have colored up better under this lamp than they did under the XM20 or the Phoenix 14K. The lamp is brighter (and I would bet higher par, but I have not measured it). The 14K phoenix did not help the color pop any more than this bulb, nor did the 20K XM to be honest. There is simply no replacement for a true actinic source. I like the phoenix bulb, but will never go back as long as these IceCap 14K are available.

I have not measured the IceCap bulb (I intended to when I get my hands on the meter... I am just too busy to bother with it). The XM bulb was measured and matched the basic numbers provided on Sanjay's website. The Phoenix, without a doubt, has a much higher PAR output (as other peoples tests have confirmed). Visualy, this bulb (the IceCap) is not as blue so it appears brighter, but it also without a doubt IS brighter than the Phoenix. By many reports from Sanjay, JBNY and a few others.. the Phoenix PAR numbers are not that bad, but they are not that great either. In any case, after talking to Anthony and Steve Pro about the bulbs, I decided to give it a try. I am glad I did. Anthony has never been by to see my tank, but Steve has, as have many other members of the club. All have commented about how "dim" the Phoenix bulbs look compared to what they run. The few folks who have stopped by in since I put the bulbs in have commented on how much brighter the tank is. The funny part is that the lights are about 6" higher off of the water because I have been too lazy to move them back down since the bulb change.

 

[luther1200]

I was just looking for some PAR numbers, because I just switched from 20K XM's to 14K Pheonix. And I was just curious what they actually were. Do you know by any chance? They are 150w DE on an M80 ballast.

 

[BeanAnimal]

I don't have the numbers in front of me, but the XM20K DE is in the 25-35 PPFD neighborhood and the Phoenix 14K is in the 60-70 Neighborhood and the IceCap 14K is in the 65-75 neighborhood.

 

[luther1200]

Thanks.

 

[mg426]

I am running XM 20k SE on Magnetics. They are a lot brighter than the Hamilton 14ks. they look better to me also.

 

[BeanAnimal]

The XM SE and DE bulbs are different animals.

 

[luther1200]

I am suprised at the low numbers on the XM's because I was getting some pretty good growth with them. Maybe everything will really take off with the Pheonix bulbs.

 

[BeanAnimal]

You will have much better results with the Phoenix bulbs. Looking back, my XMs were like moonlights compared to the Phoenix or Icecap bulbs!

 

[luther1200]

That would be great, the Pheonix are definetly brighter. The color is very close to the same though,IMO. Which is Ok, becasue the color has grown on me. I look at old pics with my 10K bulbs and can't believe I liked it back then. Not that 10K are terrible, but I just like the "bluer" look.

 

[smariner]

[violation]

 

[DarG]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15035159#post15035159 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by smariner
*EDIT*

Only bulbs you sell too.

 

[BigJay]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15033250#post15033250 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BeanAnimal
You will have much better results with the Phoenix bulbs. Looking back, my XMs were like moonlights compared to the Phoenix or Icecap bulbs!

BeanAnimal

I am currently using reeflux 12K SE in lumenmax reflectors, and I'm looking for something slightly more blue with better PAR.

I'm buying new bulbs in the next month, and I'm deciding between the Icecap 14K's, and some Reeflux 20K. The only thing I've heard about Icecap so far is that their 10K's were green in Melev's tank, and two different Icecap 400 watt 20K bulbs quit firing for no good reason.

So you have any experience with the reeflux bulbs?

 

[bimmerzs]

mg426,

Take a look at the new 14K Aquamaxx bulb's, I switched from the 12K reeflux bulb's due to their spectrum shift tendencies. The Aquamaxx bulbs are slightly bluer and have nice PAR, a lot of folks say they have the Radium bulb look, but cost less and put out better PAR. My coral's growth is sooo much better with the Aquamaxx's than they ever were with the reeflux 12K's.

Cheers,

 

[BeanAnimal]

BigJay... No experience with the reefulux bulbs.

 

[BigJay]

I have a PAR meter, I'd be really curious to measure an Aquamaxx sometime. Another brand I'm looking at is aquaconnect 14K.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15040342#post15040342 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bimmerzs
mg426,

Take a look at the new 14K Aquamaxx bulb's, I switched from the 12K reeflux bulb's due to their spectrum shift tendencies. The Aquamaxx bulbs are slightly bluer and have nice PAR, a lot of folks say they have the Radium bulb look, but cost less and put out better PAR. My coral's growth is sooo much better with the Aquamaxx's than they ever were with the reeflux 12K's.

Cheers,

 

[J.R.L.]

you can always try a 20k on an hqi ballast if you plan on upgrading, a little more blue than 14k but way more par

but if not i would go with some hamilton 14k or phoenix 14k

 

[twinspots_goby]

I recommand the Hamilton 14K.

 

[smariner]

[violation]