250W DE bulb recommendations?

[pookstreet]

It's almost time to replace my Phoenix 250W DE bulb. It's getting close to 10 months running at 8 hours a day. I was looking at the other 250W DE bulbs available and was wondering if anyone has used these other brands and what your experience has been. All 3 of these other brands I am considering are substantially more expensive, so I wanted to know if there is significant difference between the bulbs when compared to the Phoenix, since that's the only bulb I have ever used and my only point of reference. I would like to stay in the 14000K range but would consider 10000K if I can still get somewhat of a "bluish" look with my 2 24" T5 HO supplements.

These are the other ones I am considering:

BLV 10000K - $95
Aqualine 10000K - $99
Megachrome 13000K - $95
Megachrome 14500K - $105


Also, can someone clear this up for me? Is Aqualine = AB = Aqualine Buske? And what's the difference between Ushio and BLV/Ushio? Thanks.

 

[29reef]

ushio is the blv one in the same bulb....from the list you got there i would say i would pick the mega 14.5K

 

[pookstreet]

Besides the BLV I listed, I also see a BLV/Ushio 10000K for $80, that's the reason for the confusion

 

[29reef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7684668#post7684668 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pookstreet
Besides the BLV I listed, I also see a BLV/Ushio 10000K for $80, that's the reason for the confusion

listed where? as far as i know and have been told they are the same...

 

[pookstreet]

Reefgeek has the BLV 10000K at $95 and the Ushio 10000K at $80. Premium Aquatics has the BLV/Ushio 10000K also at $80 and I am assuming this one is the same as the reefgeek Ushio? Marine Depot also has an Ushio 10000K for $94, same as the Reefgeek BLV 10000K? Now I am all confused :hmm4:

 

[29reef]

why are you bothering looking at a 10k bulb when what you want is a 20k? Gosh man get on point! lol

 

[pookstreet]

LOL......20K is a little too blue for my taste. I'll probably stay in the 14K range but was only looking at the 10K b/c coral growth is supposedly better.

 

[Yinger]

how come you don't want to stay with the phoenix 14k? The color and intensity looks really good... but then again, i don't have corals in my tank yet.

 

[fatty23]

hey kenny
i had the blv 10k with my maristar unit and was too yellow even with the t-5s i would go with the mega chrome 14k
hth
john

 

[gcarroll]

If you are looking for growth, you would probably be better off supplementing the Phoenix with white T5 bulbs rather than changing to a 10K. Most 10K that actually measure out at 10K offer no more PAR than the Phoenix 14K. Plust they cost a lot less than the German bulbs.

 

[pookstreet]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7684968#post7684968 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Yinger
how come you don't want to stay with the phoenix 14k? The color and intensity looks really good... but then again, i don't have corals in my tank yet.

I do like the Phoenix 14K, but was just wondering if there is something out there that'll give it that little bit of an edge and promote better coral growth

 

[pookstreet]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7684998#post7684998 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fatty23
hey kenny
i had the blv 10k with my maristar unit and was too yellow even with the t-5s i would go with the mega chrome 14k
hth
john

John,

Thanks for the input on the BLV. Have you actually used the Megachrome 14.5K? Just wondering and the fact that it's way more expensive.

 

[pookstreet]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7685049#post7685049 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gcarroll
If you are looking for growth, you would probably be better off supplementing the Phoenix with white T5 bulbs rather than changing to a 10K. Most 10K that actually measure out at 10K offer no more PAR than the Phoenix 14K. Plust they cost a lot less than the German bulbs.

Thanks Greg. Which white T5 bulbs are you referring to? I currently use one Aquablue and one Blue+.

 

[gcarroll]

I don't know is the Aquablue whitish? Just use whichever bulb is brightest. I have great growth with the Phoenix alone. I personally think I would probably stick with the current setup you have though.

 

[pookstreet]

The Aquablue is a mostly white bulb with a blue tint. I was leaning towards getting the Phoenix again from the beginning, but was just curious if there was a better bulb out there and if the price difference was really justified. Thanks again.

 

[moonpod]

Ushio and BLV 10k are NOT the same bulb. Made in the same place, but different "runs". The numbers are consistently, slightly different. That being said, you need to see 'em side by side to see the difference. The G'man 14.5k is the same bulb as the Ushio 14k near as I can tell. Save your 30 bux.

The G'man/Ushio 14k looks very, very different than the Phoenix. The Phoenix is no where near 14k in reality. It is well north of 20k. The G'man/Ushio 14k 250w DE is actually something more like 12-13k.

 

[pookstreet]

Wow, I didn't think that the Phoenix is that blue. I have seen 20K bulbs like Ushio, XM, and Radium and they are all much bluer.

 

[ScotchMaster]

I love my phoenix bulb and wouldnt trade it for anything else...

 

[Yinger]

I thought the phoenixes were pretty blue. I was going to add 2x110 vho actinics to it as well... wonder how that will look.

 

[moonpod]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7686116#post7686116 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pookstreet
Wow, I didn't think that the Phoenix is that blue. I have seen 20K bulbs like Ushio, XM, and Radium and they are all much bluer.

That's cause the stuff listed as "20k" is in reality probably in the 35k+ range.