Ushio and/or Iwasaki 14k?

[ejmeier]

Has anyone used these new bulbs? I've been hearing good things about Phoenix, but it looks like there are more options coming out.

Really trying to make the blues and purples *POP.*

 

[bowfront]

I've been running Ushio 14k DE's for a month or two and I like them. I've also used Phoenix and AC 14k's and both of those are definitely more blue (and dimmer esthetically). I suppliment with VHO actinic but the Ushio 14k could go alone. It's a clean white unlike something like AB 10k's that side more towards yellow without actinic help.

 

[mntl]

If using the Iwasaki's you will need actinic to really make blue/purple "pop". It is more lik a slightly blue, non-yellow 10k. The Hamilton 14k is definatey more blue, but is also sinificantly dimmer.

-john-

 

[gcarroll]

I have used the Phoenix!- Great bulb but color and intensity really dropped off after 6 month.
I have used the new Ushio 14K - Extremely bright but needs actinic. Blue colors were improved tremendously.
I now use the new Ushio 20K - Intensity of a 6 month old Phoenix, however my colors have been incredible.

If I had a choice, I would run the 14K Ushio w/ actinic. But I don't have actinic, so I'll continue to run the Ushio 20K.

 

[DaddyJax]

I have been running Ushio 10k with actinics and love the colors and brightness! I will be switching to 14k ushio in a few months but I will stick with Ushio.

 

[G-money]

I think he was referring to the new Iwasaki 14K (175W) that is supposed to out-intensify most 250W 14K bulbs (Sanjay tested it). I don't think it's available yet, though.

 

[attml]

I have been using the 250w Giesmann 14K DE and am very happy with it. I picked it up from the Deltec vendor at MACNA and it sems to be doing a good job.

 

[manderx]

nothing i have seen beats the reeflux 10K for making blues pop. really quite amazing. i'm running the iwasaki 14 right now and it's bright and pretty, but it doesn't make *any* colors pop in the slightest.

 

[G-money]

Really?
Where did you get the 14K 'saki?

 

[ChrisRD]

These guys carry them:
http://www.coralreefecosystems.com/ltg_bulbs-mh.asp

 

[ejmeier]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6718115#post6718115 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ChrisRD
These guys carry them:
http://www.coralreefecosystems.com/ltg_bulbs-mh.asp

Looks like the Iwasaki is only available as a 175w right now???

I don't have any actinics, so I am looking for a one bulb solution.

gcarroll - thanks, that info was really helpful. I have been mulling over bulb options, and now I may consider that Ushio. You said it has the intensity of a 6-month phoenix - but is the appearance similar as well, or more/less blue? I can handle blue, to an extent. My old bulb on my other tank was an XM 20k, which I really liked once it burned in, but it could stand to be a little more intense/bright.

 

[gcarroll]

I really can't tell if the Ushio 20K is anymore blue than the Phoenix 14K. They seem to be the same just coral colors stand out more w/ the Ushio.

 

[bowfront]

I have used the new Ushio 14K - Extremely bright but needs actinic.

The Ushio 14k looks fine IMO w/o actinic if you like bright white. If you are looking for a blue tank then go with one of the others mentioned but you will sacrifice brightness. BTW I found the same as gcarroll in that Phoenix takes a dive after 6 months or so. Good luck with your next purchase.

 

[loc01]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6716338#post6716338 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gcarroll
I have used the Phoenix!- Great bulb but color and intensity really dropped off after 6 month.
I have used the new Ushio 14K - Extremely bright but needs actinic. Blue colors were improved tremendously.
I now use the new Ushio 20K - Intensity of a 6 month old Phoenix, however my colors have been incredible.

If I had a choice, I would run the 14K Ushio w/ actinic. But I don't have actinic, so I'll continue to run the Ushio 20K.

How does the Ushio 20k compare to the Xm 20k? Which one is bluer?

Thanks,
Loc

 

[ejmeier]

For those noticing the decline in the phoenix bulbs @ 6 months - which ballast are you using? Do you think it would make a difference between electronic and magnetic? DE/SE?

 

[want2reef]

I was wondering the same thing.

 

[Don Berry]

The Phoenix only comes in DE and I would say the drop off would be more significant with the HQI ballast. It drives the bulb harder than the electronic.