Question about 250W DE 20K

[zoazoa]

Hi..Guys..
I would like to change my 14K Hamilton 250W DE to 20K.
What kind of brand do you use now.
Please recommand good bulb for growth and color of SPS..
Thanks.

 

[RichConley]

Re: Question about 250W DE 20K

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7469999#post7469999 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by zoazoa

Please recommand good bulb for growth and color of SPS..
Thanks.

You're not going to get great growth with a 20K, no matter which bulb you choose.

 

[zoazoa]

You mean 14K is better than 20K.

 

[RichConley]

Basically, the higher the PAR (or PPFD), the better growth. With a couple of exceptions, the higher the Kelvin temperature, the lower the PAR.

So, your corals may look better under a 20K, but they'll grow faster under a 14k.

 

[CamBarr]

i second that 14k is a pretty good mix of boath worlds

 

[zoazoa]

You guys like 14K but it looks so yellow. Hemilton 14K is little bit yellowish comparing with others?

 

[cthetoy]

You can supplement with Actinics and you will get more blue without sacraficing your PPFD

 

[zoazoa]

Nobody recommand 20K but prefer 14K. I am really confusing wheter I change or not.. Any other opinions about 14K and 20K??

 

[Fliger]

Just remember that the K temp rating on the bulb is rarely what they actually put out. Its mostly marketing. I used to run the 14.5K Giesemann bulb and it was pure white, and the "14K" Phoenix/Aquaconnect by the label should be even more white/yellow, but in reality is FAAAAR bluer. I now have the 14K BLV/Ushio bulb and its also pure white.

Try the Phoenix bulb and you'll probably be pleased - and its super inexpensive. Also works well for zoas/rics/acans/lps if your tank is mixed.

 

[Kip]

the p14k has excellent par for a bulb on the bluer side

 

[RichConley]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7470550#post7470550 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Fliger
Just remember that the K temp rating on the bulb is rarely what they actually put out. Its mostly marketing. I used to run the 14.5K Giesemann bulb and it was pure white, and the "14K" Phoenix/Aquaconnect by the label should be even more white/yellow, but in reality is FAAAAR bluer. I now have the 14K BLV/Ushio bulb and its also pure white.

Try the Phoenix bulb and you'll probably be pleased - and its super inexpensive. Also works well for zoas/rics/acans/lps if your tank is mixed.

Agree, the ratings on these bulbs are a JOKE. JOKE JOKE.

FWIW, the phoenix (250w) is almost exactly the same bulb as the 250w radium (spectrum-wise)

 

[zoazoa]

OK.. Thanks for Good advice.. I will go with 14K Hemilton and next bulb should be phoenix 14K..

 

[sportsguy247]

Phoenix 14K Double Ended HQI bulb

The Phoenix 14K is a double ended bulb with very similar color and spectral output to a AquaConnect 14K.

This bulb has become highly popular due to it's great combination of intensity and color. Much bluer in color than other 14K bulbs but brighter than a 20K.

 

[RichConley]

Take a look at Sanjay's site. The phoenix 250w, the aquaconnect 250w, adn the radium 250w all have exactly the same spectral chart.

 

[clkwrk]

but the AC and PHX have higher par Also there not to the T exact but simular.

 

[clkwrk]

Also Radium doesn't have a de and PHX 14k is DE only .

 

[murphreef]

i have Helios 20K DE's which r on my 180 i love the color they put out its a crisp white with a smidge of blue

my corals seem to be doing well too a slow continous growth but i love the color.... i also have some PC daylight and actinic on the tank

 

[RichConley]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7475140#post7475140 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by clkwrk
Also Radium doesn't have a de and PHX 14k is DE only .

Right, but they have almost exactly the same spectral chart.


Take a look. Any difference there is small enough that it could be just differences in individual bulbs.

 

[Doubledown]

I run 2 of the P14K DE on HQI balast with a BLV 20K DE in the center. Added VHO actinics and LOVE the blue color.

 

[gcarroll]

I found the BLV/Ushio 20 to be very dim. The perceived color of the corals was awsome but over time the corals browned out but it was not noticed until the Phoenix 14K's were put back in. It is amazing how good those bulbs show off the color of the corals though!