Phoenix Bulb vs. Ushio Bulb

[moevilla]

About to buy a new bulb from hellolights.com. I currently have a 150 watt HQI double ended 10000k bulb which was bought used, dont know the brand. Was wondering what the pros and cons are for the ushio and phoenix (or if there is another comparable bulbe out there). I have heard nothing but positive feedback for both. Would like to know what has better PAR, which is bluer, longeveity, etc.

 

[sedor]

Never had a ushio but in all the comparison pictures I have seen the Phoenix is much bluer and is more popular overall. I have the phoenix and absolutely love the color. I am not even supplementing with actinics because I am happy with the crisp blue.

 

[moevilla]

Hopefully its not too blue, dont really like the look. Still trying to grow out the corals. Do you think moving to a 14000k from a 10000k will cause a stunt in growth?

 

[das75]

Well if the 14K 250W DE is any indicator between the two bulbs brands, the Phoenix will be bluer.

Ran the 14K Ushio and found a little yellow, just installed some 14K Phoenix's a few days back and much more blue.

Never ran 10K bulbs but think I get good growth with the 14K.

 

[jsf668]

I used to use the Ushio 14k's and thought they were to yellow. I am using Phoenix right now and I really like them. They are blue but not like 20k's.

 

[Chibils]

You may or may not sacrifice PAR by going bluer. Logically you will, but we cannot assume that the 10K is operating to its maximum potential while the 14K may be. For instance, XM 20K bulbs have more PAR than their 15K counterparts and I believe the 10Ks.

I've never used 150w halides, but I have heard complaints that USHIOs run yellow. The only one I've ever seen in person was the 400w (1000w, maybe?) 20K and it was very blue. Loved the color, but can't comment on the growth/PAR as it was recessed into 16ft ceilings over a stingray tank.

 

[Wd40]

Let me try to help you out here.. I was in the same situation but with 250's.
I bought the 20k Ushio and freakin love it.. The color is awesome!!! Not super blue but no yellow at all..
Phoenix i heard were to monotone.. Cant say myself cause i have never ran them but i do know they last longer than ushios.

 

[Chibils]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15523230#post15523230 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Wd40
Let me try to help you out here.. I was in the same situation but with 250's.
I bought the 20k Ushio and freakin love it.. The color is awesome!!! Not super blue but no yellow at all..
Phoenix i heard were to monotone.. Cant say myself cause i have never ran them but i do know they last longer than ushios.

+1! I have seen the Phoenixes in person once or twice and they were incredibly flat. That was my main reason for avoiding them as they get such great reviews. I will say I loved the color of the USHIO 20K I saw, but it's not everyone's taste.

 

[sedor]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15520877#post15520877 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by moevilla
Hopefully its not too blue, dont really like the look. Still trying to grow out the corals. Do you think moving to a 14000k from a 10000k will cause a stunt in growth?

I don't think you will notice much of a growth stunt. If you were to conduct experiments then yes the 10,000K would probably outperform the 14K in growth, and a 6500K would outperform the 10K. Overall, the most important thing to a hobbyist is to get a balance of good growth and an enjoyable viewing hue. Personally, I think the 14K is the perfect balance.

 

[Skeptic_07]

I'm speaking from experience with all these lamps in the 150w version in a current USA sunpod. The 14000k ushio will make your tank look like pee. do not buy it, you will hate it. the 20000k ushio is very blue but with very little PAR. I'd go with the phoenix 14000k, icecap 14000k or even the current powerpaq 14000k. HTH

 

[DarG]

The Ushio 14K is really a 10K. If you want to go bluer, it's not a great choice. But it has good par and is a quality lamp.

I disagree with the comments on the 150 watt Ushio 20K being "very" blue. It's a beautiful lamp in my opinion and one of the whiter 20K's with a blue tint with a hint of actinic. Not an overwhelmingly blue color at all. The Phoenix is bluer and, like some others, I find it to be a very monotone blue in both 150 watt and 250 watt DE versions.
That said, the Ushio 20K does not have much par. The Phoenix has higher par despite being bluer.

If you want a whiter lamp without much blue but no yellow, the Iwasaki 20K is a crisp, white lamp. You will probably see just a hint of blue in it coming from 10Ks.
The Iwasaki 50000K is a white lamp with no yellow and an actinic/blue tint. It looks more like an actinic violet tint than a blue tint so it is a pretty unique looking lamp and you may or may not like the color. Does have pretty good par though.

The Iwasaki 50K and Ushio 20K are among my favorite color lamps despite being very different. I am not a fan of super blue looking tanks. I like a cool crisp white look with a blue hue but not a tank that looks like windex or ty-d-bowl.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[DarG]

Forgot about the radium 20K. Also one of the whiter 20K's, great color, good relative par.

 

[arc eye]

Not to be rude to those who have posted about their 250w experiences, but you really cannot compare the "same bulb" in different wattages.

I am currently using a 150w 14K phoenix. I like it. I wouldn't say it is too blue. I believe it looks closer to a 14K than most 14K bulbs that tend to 10K or 120K in disguise (not the "monochrome" blue typically reported by those with the 250w version on electronic ballasts).

That said the Iwasaki 50K and Radium are next on my list.

 

[imisky]

the 150W phoenix 14K is definitely much more monochromatic blue than then 250W even running on true HQI ballast (im running them on aquamedics) it is what i would consider as a 20K color with much more PAR then the 20Ks in the market and the phoenix is usually even more blue than the comparison 20Ks which after the burn in period become more white.

the reeflux 12K/14K is whats on my list next after these set of bulbs are done as they are in the same price range.

 

[snowman5373]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15524009#post15524009 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by arc eye
Not to be rude to those who have posted about their 250w experiences, but you really cannot compare the "same bulb" in different wattages.

I am currently using a 150w 14K phoenix. I like it. I wouldn't say it is too blue. I believe it looks closer to a 14K than most 14K bulbs that tend to 10K or 120K in disguise (not the "monochrome" blue typically reported by those with the 250w version on electronic ballasts).

That said the Iwasaki 50K and Radium are next on my list.

+1. Once the bulb burns in, it really is a nice 14k bulb. I personally do not like the "white" 20k bulbs. I have no actinics to offset, so that may be why.

 

[sjfishguy]

The Phoenix bulb is the best looking bulb out there. No yellow, not too blue, balances all the colors great. I just switched to T5s and have been trying for a month to match the Phoenix. You won't be dissapointed.

 

[SBV]

I'm running the Phoenix 14k's 250's DE with ARO ballasts and think they are too blue. I actually have them supplemented with 2 46.5" VHO 10k's at the moment. I like the look. Makes everything "pop".

My question for everybody is how do you feel about the Ushio 10k?

I have seen a few pics where the tank looks crisp and white with no yellow at all. I'm like the others on here that wants the white look with a touch of blue.

 

[stanlalee]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15524589#post15524589 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sjfishguy
The Phoenix bulb is the best looking bulb out there. .

An oppinion not shared by everybody. Radium 20k, Ushio 20k, XM 20k, reeflux (all), Iwasaki 50k all wash out colors less in monochromatic blue thus look significantly better to me. if there is something the phoenix does well is BALANCE PAR and looks. there are higher PAR bulbs and there are better looking bulbs but its a pretty decent compromise.

Ushio's 20k actinic purple/blue is superior looking to phoenix 450nm blue (and the only ushio that should be compared with any bulb with visable blue like a phoenix). Much whiter too. Ushio 10k is just an ugly high PAR bulb. dont get it without heavy supplementation. Ushio 14k white with no yellow or blue. plain jane looking. not great or offensive. I'd take it over the 10k any day.

 

[DarG]

The Phoenix 14K 150 watt is a 20k Plus lamp. 14K my arse
Both are a drab, washed out blue to my eyes. Personally, you couldnt pay me to use a Phoenix 14K in 150 or 250 watt (de). Havent seen the newer 250 watt moguls.

I pretty much agree with stanlalee on all but the Ushio 14K. It is a warmer lamp, near full spectrum except very little blue energy, closer to 10K ... I can see the yellow in it. But it definitely is a cooler white than the ushio 10k.

 

[pIankton]

I think Ushio lamps have a CRI of like 95 or 98 which is probably the most accurately colored bulb out there. I've seen the Ushio 14k's and like the look. Nice bright white color.