Hamilton 14K users, any comments on the bulb?

[gemxsps]

I have had hami 14K 250W DE but changed to phoenix 14K. I prefer phoenix. Only 2 months used hemi 250 W 14K has been sleeping in my box.. Anybody needs this?

 

[scarab65]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8157692#post8157692 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dandy7200
Out of curiosity what ballast are you using?

Magnetic ballast, not sure of the brand though

 

[scarab65]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8160069#post8160069 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SVXH6
well i just switched from the 14K on a magnetic ballast to the 14Kon a electronic ballast.. all i can say is wow!! it is about twice as bright.. it really has no blue to it though.. it is a very nice bright crisp white with a touch of blue..i take back what i said about not liking them.. so far it looks great on an electronic ballast..

Bro, I thought mag ballast will drive it harder than the electronic ballast hence whiter?

 

[SVXH6]

well accoding to Sanjay on his website the ppfd for magnetic is 53, the ppfd for electronic is 69.. it was much bluer with the magnetic and not nearly as bright.. the electronic is A LOT brighter and more whitish.. you get a higher PAR value out of this bulb from an electronic ballast..

 

[Ti]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8153046#post8153046 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Malolo
Very nice color very low par.

According to Sanjay on an Ice cap ballast the par is 69 and on the same ballast the phoenix is 73.
Par on the hammy is pretty good.
I use it and I like it

 

[xtm]

My experience with the Hammy's:

When I ordered my Hamilton pendants, they came with 150w 10K HQI's... the Hammy 10K's looked TERRIBLE, the tank looked like a freshwater tank.. but man everything grew like weed. Every SPS polyp extended out like they were reaching for the sky..lol

I decided I hate the freshwater look and went with a 14K hammys.. these bulbs are CRISP WHITE.. as white as snow with a very little tinge of blue. Coral growth? hmm.. I would say kinda slow. But the tank coloration is SUPER. No need for actinics

One of the LFS here is using a 20K Radium on a Hamilton Reefstar like mine and their tank looks AWESOME. I think I want to try the 20K's next time

 

[jt_redmist]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8161620#post8161620 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SVXH6
well accoding to Sanjay on his website the ppfd for magnetic is 53, the ppfd for electronic is 69.. it was much bluer with the magnetic and not nearly as bright.. the electronic is A LOT brighter and more whitish.. you get a higher PAR value out of this bulb from an electronic ballast..

I agree 100%. I switched one of my magnetic ballast for an icecap electronic, and you could tell the difference. The magnetic ballast burns the hammis bluer, and the electronics are much brighter with a hint of blue. Overall I really like the color of this bulb. As far as growth it's not great, but I do think it's better when coupled with the electronics.

JT