Changing MH bulb brand....Suggestions???

[Phyxius]

I have been using the 10k Reeflux bulbs since they came out with pretty good results. Never had any of the color shifts or the pink hues some have experienced. But after 3-4 yrs of them I`m looking for a change to something with a slightly bluer hue to them but still good growth and coral coloration. The reeflux blue/white color is nice but its almost too white with it in the main room right where we sit.I have tried XM bulbs in the past but they were too yellow for me and switched right back.

I do run the following:

Icecap 250 watt ballasts
SE Lumenarc III Mini reflectors x 3
2- 5ft VHO bulbs that run all the time now from one hour before the halides come on till one hour after they go out. The do stay on while the halides are on but I prefer the dusk to dawn effect so the can be timed to any schedule I want.............

They are all housed in a 6ft enclosed canopy....

Looking for a good bulb for color and growth that will give me a little more blue but allow me to still run the Icecap ballasts. I know a few of the good combos out there run better with mag ballasts. Really do not want to change out all the ballsts at this time or switch over to a DE bulb or reflector


Any suggestions on something that will give me what I want?? Or should I just stick with the reeflux bulbs that have been good to me so far..

 

[Phyxius]

No suggestions from anyone?

 

[dailydriven911]

I liked the helios 20k for color but I hear they're having problems for most people. I'm looking at the reeflux 20k's myself as I hear they are brighter than the 12k's with a touch more blue.

 

[Pigmonster]

love my radiums!! they might be a little too blue if you are used to 10k... I run 2x150hqi radiums with actinics. They are a little expensive but worth it to me

 

[luther1200]

I just ordered 14000K Pheinix. But they haven't arrived yet. I'll let you know if I like them. I have 20000K XM's right now. Which I like but am looking for a bit of a change.

 

[Phyxius]

Thanks for the suggestions. Like I mentioned I have had good luck with the reeflux 10k but want a little more blue without getting " Too" blue. I just hate to buy 3 new bulbs and find out I made the wrong choice and the color is way too blue.

I have heard good things about the radiums and a few good things about the phoenix bulbs also. There are too many variances with the combos of ballasts used and the same bulb. Thats why I was hoping to get feedback from people using the Icecap ballasts and certain bulbs....