12K or 14K Bulbs?

[Miasma_F]

Sometime within the next few months I'm going to order new bulbs but I'm having trouble deciding.

I'm torn between the ReefLux 12K and the Phoenix 14K. Thoughts? Opinions?

I'm currently running ReefLux 10K and have always wished it was a little more blue to make the corals "pop." Without actinics, they actually look yellow to me.

Here are the specs:
2 x 250W MH
Double ended
Old style Ice Cap electronic ballasts
2 x 110W VHO actinics (also need to be replaced)

Let me know what you think.

-Matt

 

[Fireworm]

I am a fan of blue in the tank, so I vote 14k.

 

[SeasonedReefer]

I think if you are looking for a hint of blue you might want to go with the 12k from coralvue I have heard that the Phoenix 14k are more like 20k but thats just what i've heard. I don't know that for a fact. Im sure it also depends on your ballast you are using to power those bulbs. Im using the 14k blue lines from champion lighting and I think they are pretty nice. Not to blue but not drowning out with a yellow color either. Almost like a crisp white with a blue hue if you will.

 

[tazman71]

I also have ran the 12K reflux single ended and ran them on PFO ballast and the older style Icecap ballasts. I like the look of them very much on the Icecap. They were too blue to me with the PFO(M-80) ballast. I also have heard that the 14K Pheonix are very blue. You won't want to run VHO actinics with them.

 

[Sirhog66]

my 14k pheonix get great growth, I also supplement with 2 t5 actnic ati's. nice blue, not as much as Klause's 20ks, but close (with the t5s)

 

[Miasma_F]

Decisions, decisions. I'll probably be torn on this one right up until I place the order. Right now I think I'm leaning towards the 14ks.