250 watt HQI bulb recommendations?

[Keith Le]

I had a Giesmann 260, I sold it and bought an 8 bulb TEK. I just a Giesmann 230+ and I'm getting rid of TEK. Anyway, does anyone have any bulb recommendations? I use to use the Megachrome 20k but I heard that kelvin ratings this high may not be the best idea. My main goal is to maintain and improve SPS coloration while seeing decent growth. Isn't that everyones goal? Thanks
Keith

I may get rid of my TEK here, anyone interested?

 

[dots]

14Ks are popular. Phoenix is what I am using currently.

 

[dieselgrk]

20k XM bulb is the ONLY way to go!

 

[dannieboiz]

Well I have a brand new Hamilton 10k HQI 250w bulb if you're interested. Went back to SE no more need for this.

 

[Nuuze]

My fixture came with 2-250w BLV Neturion 10k's and I actually like it even without actinics. Some say they are equivilent to the Ushio 10k's...

 

[Kinetic]

After I swapped out my AB 20K (sucks btw!) for a Phoenix 14K, there is considerable growth from all my corals. Colors are just as good if not better than the 20K. One more vote for Phoenix

Btw the AB from AquaMedic are SOOO crappy now. Quality has really gone down the hole ever since their last facility burned down. Their pendants now suck too. I had the same pendant (oceanlight) before the burn down facility event, and then the current one I'm using on my frag tank is post burn down. HUGE DIFFERENCE. The seams don't sit flush, the metal seems kinda flimsier, the paint isn't even at all, the socket doesn't sit correctly though I think this is because the AB bulb's retarded ends destroyed the socket.

The AB bulb kept falling out of the socket too, and then the end finally broke off. The phoenix popped right in, real snug.

 

[rleechb]

I've run BLV 20k's, 10k's, and Phoenix 14k's. I'm happiest with the Phoenix's (especially when price is considered).

The BLV 20k's were on the dim side.

10k's were very, very bright (bleached a lot of corals when I made the switch) and provided very good growth. Bright white light that should be supplemented with actinics, imo.

Phoenix's are great... well balanced. Too blue on icecap eballasts though, imo.

 

[GreshamH]

Funny things is Art, they do not make the bulbs so the factory buring down has nothing to do with the quality of the bulbs. Their manufacturer either changed quality or AM changed manufacturers

 

[Nuuze]

Yes, the BLV 10k's are bright. I too am looking for similar alternatives that are lower in price, Phoenix, Reeflux and XM are some that come to mind.

rleechb, do you have any experiences with the CoralVue Reeflux or XM's?

 

[rleechb]

Nope, I don't. A friend of mine is running the RF 10k in SE and is very happy with them. The general consensus is that the SE is great, but the DE still has the pink hue to it. The 12k are nice, but dim and a bit low on the par side.

 

[Nuuze]

I wonder where the Ushio 14k falls, between the Ushio 10k and the Phoenix 14k since the Ushio 14k is in the price range of the Phoenix 14k...

 

[rleechb]

ushio 14k is supposed to be closer to 9k; very yellow for a 14k bulb.

 

[panther28]

I am personally using 14k Phoenix and am very happy with it.

 

[Nuuze]

How blue are the Phoenix 14k's? I also has 4-54w T5 actinics that might make things too blue.

 

[jedininja]

I think Phoenix looks perfect without any actinic. Bright with a hint of blue. So with actinics, it looks a bit too blue for my taste. But some people like it.

 

[Nukeproof]

I really like my Phoenix 14K and have no plan to change. I don't use actinics so it's just right. I'm using them with the Icecap Ballast and I don't think it's too blue.

 

[Nuuze]

Hmm, maybe I can use something else besides actinics like 50/50 or a daylight bulb for my 4 T5's.

 

[Nuuze]

Double post.

 

[Nuuze]

Are these the same Phoenix bulbs we're talking about?

 

[dots]

I have 2-96w PC Actinic with my Phoenix. If you want the look of a 20K with higher PAR, that is what you will end up with.

Here is some old pics of mine(6mos?), but with white balance and monitor difference it probably hurts more than helps.

To be quite honest, just pick one and if you don't like it try another. They all vary from K to K and manufacturer to manufacturer. Try out a few and see what you like the best or go look at simmilar tanks with the bulbs you are considering.