Best all-around DE Bulb for SPS

[fijiblue]

What's everyones opinion on the best all-around DE bulbs for sps color and growth.

 

[twon8]

pheonix 14k

i haven;t used it but i love the aquaconnect 14k se and the pheonix are supposed to be the same as the de aquaconnects.

 

[Mchava]

same here and I've been using it since 12/05

 

[clkwrk]

Same here 14k Phx .

 

[fijiblue]

what about the fact that they change spectrum quickly and are spent after 6 months? They do look nice, but only for the first 2 months or IMO.

 

[clkwrk]

I have been using them for 2 years and 9 months is their end point IME and I could care less how long they last as they are still cheaper than most . I like aquaconnect but I am not going to spend 120 + bulb.

 

[Ti]

I like the XM 10K

 

[SunnyX]

Pheonix 14K

 

[mikeo1210]

phoenix. blv 10k is nice if supplemented.

 

[SaraB]

"Dr. J"

I just picked up the Coralvue Reeflux 10 & 12K's today. I am going to test them both and decide which one I like and go with 2 of those. You are more than welcome to stop by and see if you like them as well.

Sara

 

[DarkXerox]

I agree, 14k phoenix since you really don't need any actinics. The 9 month rule really does seem to be true (depending on your photoperiod of course) since you can really tell a difference after switching bulbs.

 

[clkwrk]

That and @ 9 months + your montis take a hit.

 

[Rueg]

Is that 9 months rule for the Phoenix bulbs for all ballasts? Or do IceCap ballasts not run the Phoenix bulbs as hard so the last longer?

 

[clkwrk]

I ran them on electronics and magnetics. They both went about the same time . Although my softies still don't mind year old + bulbs but the sps didn't like it one bit under the icecaps

 

[Brewen]

I like XM 10,000 with my t-5's

 

[jackson6745]

you guys like the DE XM or SE XM?

I would also say BLV 10k

 

[sonofgaladriel]

Here's the 250 watt DE's I've used over the last year:
AB 10K's; hated them, very bright produced good growth, but way too yellow.
Coralvue Reeflux 10Ks; very bright, still just a tad bit too yellow for my tastes.
Phoenix 14K's; loved them in the beginning. Now at the 7 month mark and they're still okay.
Hamilton 14K; been using it about 4 weeks now and I like it. A nice white/blue light.
Replaced the Reeflux 10Ks with XM 20 K's today.
I love the colors that the 20Ks produce, but I wish they were a tad brighter. I'd bet that a 400 wat DE 20K XM would look very nice!
I do think that when my Phoenix bulbs are done, I'll be replacing them with 20K XMs for a while. If after a while they are just not bright enough for me, I'll go back to Hamilton 14K's.
Hope this helps some.

 

[slug]

I ran the 14k phoenixs for 9-10 months and liked them at first but they are too blue for my taste. Been using 14k BLV which are a nice bright white. Supplementing them with vho actinics. Growth and color have ben better, but I've chnaged a lot of other things on my system lately and couldn't say it is the lights, but growth with the phoenixs seemed prety weak.

 

[fijiblue]

sonofgaladriel - Did you like the color of the Reflux? Over all, do you like the Hami 14's the best? I, too use the AM Ocean Pendant and I found the following:

AB 10K - too red/yellow - great growth - very bright
XM 10k - a nice yellow/white - great growth - too bright
Hami 14k - a tad bit yellow/blue - pretty good growth - good brightness
Pheonix - too blue - ok growth - not bright enough

slug - I agree with the Pheonix growth. Montis love it, but that is it. Im sire others have ok growth with it, but it wouldn't be my first choice for a growth bulb.

 

[Bebo77]

i am using the Ushio 250 watt 14K with blue T5 suppliments and i gotta say i love the color.