Metal halide opinions

[smccart22]

Ok i have a 48" current hanging fixture with 2x240 watt double ended mh's... I currently have Ushio 10k's running... Im thinking i want to move to a 12 or 14k, i havent seen many 12's out there and some 14's are just a little too blue for me, i like the realistic look and growth but as stated i'd kinda like to add just a little more blue to the equation during the day.... Whats everyones thoughts and experiences???

 

[Maaka]

I hear the phoenix 14k looks really nice. But thats not 1st hand. But it is what I plan on going to when mine finally needs replaced.

 

[spinoleo]

have you looked into adding a reefbright led to your fixture

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

I know it's like comparing apples and oranges but FWIW I run 400w mogul (SE) 14k Ushios and I love 'em. I'm no fan of deep blue.

 

[smccart22]

IME Ushio has been pretty consistent with their colors that i have seen other tanks from one to the next, ive always been happy with them, and i have tried the reef brites, i just sold my friend the two i was using, i wasnt really happy with the color it added during the day, and just a little too bright for me to use them specifically at night

 

[pascal32]

you need to see with your own eyes, unfortunately pictured don't do a great job. I love the phoenix 14K after a month with a reefbrite strip to pop. the phoenix will be pretty blue for a couple weeks to a month, then a really nice tinge of blue. I heard that the Ushio 14K is a lot whiter than the phoenix.

See if someone can buy a used bulb from someone

 

[pascal32]

some links:

Also the color is dependent on the ballast for some bulbs, especially magnetic to electronic as shown here: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2004/7/review

on an interesting note, comparison of some electronic ballasts showed little difference for the bulb used: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2009/6/review

spectral data on MH bulbs: http://www.manhattanreefs.com/lighting

interesting read on 17 month change in performance on MH bulbs - implies you can run longer than a year: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2008/7/aafeature1

reflector testing - amazing difference in the effect of the reflector you choose: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2009/1/review

 

[Willistein]

Since you said you have DE 250s. are they HQI? If so, and if you have an M80 HQI ballast you could run radiums. That's what I have and it's the nicest light I've seen. Very white with a bit of crisp blue-ness. Very technical, I know.

 

[Tonynlo]

Phoenix 14K are a tad purple at first, but your eyes will quickly adjust. I never liked blue lighting until I tried these. The image in my signature is of my old 90 running with Phoenix bulbs. I never ran supplemental lighting with these bulbs.

 

[tst400]

I too run Phoenix 14k and I love them. They look nice and crisp and have good growth. Not to mention a nice price to go with them

Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk

 

[smccart22]

some links:

Also the color is dependent on the ballast for some bulbs, especially magnetic to electronic as shown here: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2004/7/review

on an interesting note, comparison of some electronic ballasts showed little difference for the bulb used: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2009/6/review

spectral data on MH bulbs: http://www.manhattanreefs.com/lighting

interesting read on 17 month change in performance on MH bulbs - implies you can run longer than a year: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2008/7/aafeature1

reflector testing - amazing difference in the effect of the reflector you choose: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2009/1/review

Thank you pascal, lots of very informative valuable information on this site for comparisons.... I ran Phoenix bulbs before and I loved them, given prices of the bulbs today I guess I should stick with what I know I like instead of experimenting with the Ushio's 14k. When it comes to bulbs I really don't like buying used, if they were just a trade or something someone just wanted to get rid of I would use them for comparison and a general idea but not something to rely on for an extended period of time, just my experience lol, it never works out well ime

 

[Tank14]

I am running the 150 watt Phoenix 14ks and they put out a great color.

 

[block head]

Phoenix 14 k white purple tint. I'm a tightwad and i make this happen.

 

[smccart22]

Ok so I got my hands on one used Phoenix and one used Ushio both 14k, I have no positive way of knowing exactly how long and extensively they were used for but the person is reliable and an old friend I used to sell frags to when my previous tank was flourishing, I installed both earlier this morning just to compare the two and what types of colors I can expect vs the other... I don't remember the Phoenix having such a purple tint when I ran them before and the Ushio is a very crisp white with a little more than a sleight tinge of blue.... I think at the moment I'm leaning towards the Ushio to be honest and replacing my t5 bulbs with the super actinic + and the actinic white bulbs, 2 of each at 54 watts a piece, thoughts on any better combinations??? All input is always appreciated and taken into account as always, thank you
Shawn

 

[toddmh]

I too run Phoenix 14k and I love them. They look nice and crisp and have good growth. Not to mention a nice price to go with them

Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk

this...

 

[tmz]

I run a phoenix 150W 14k ,de bulb on one half of a frag tank. The other half has a 250 radium 20k. The phoenix looks real good ;nice color and growth on the sps,
( monits, stylopora, seriatopora, pocillopora) ,zoanthidae and enchinophyia under it. The 250 radium is over the acros, though they did fine ok under the 150 too. I also use a reef brite all blue strip on that tank for extra pop.