what are the best De 14k out there?
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moonpod
Premium Member
The BLV and Ushio 10ks are not the same bulb (Sanjay tested these and they are different--close but different). The 20k putatively is not the same (the "Nepturion" 20k I believe is a new bulb). The 14k is the same b/c it's new. BLV I THINK was already making a 10 and 20k bulb when Ushio acquired them. The problem with BLV bulbs in the US (why they are more expensive) is that they are "reimported" from Europe or Asia. Technically BLV bulbs are for the European and Asian markets and Ushio is for the north american market.
johns
Premium Member
So to partially answer my own question, there IS a BLV 14k because it's listed here on this website:
http://www.viclite.com/blv_10k.htm
But it sounds like you are saying that in the case of the 14k, the Ushio and BLV are the exact same thing (presumably because this was developed while Ushio/BLV were joined as a single company) So no use waiting around to see if anyone in the states gets the 14k BLV then?
And the reason why the 10k and 20k versions of these are different is that they were developed separately at different companies and both are still being offered now that they are a single company. Why so many people would continue to say these are the same bulb then is beyond me. All they have in common then is the same kelvin rating.
http://www.viclite.com/blv_10k.htm
But it sounds like you are saying that in the case of the 14k, the Ushio and BLV are the exact same thing (presumably because this was developed while Ushio/BLV were joined as a single company) So no use waiting around to see if anyone in the states gets the 14k BLV then?
And the reason why the 10k and 20k versions of these are different is that they were developed separately at different companies and both are still being offered now that they are a single company. Why so many people would continue to say these are the same bulb then is beyond me. All they have in common then is the same kelvin rating.
moonpod
Premium Member
the only BLV/Ushio bulbs that are the same are the new 14k Nepturions. The rest are different b/c yes they were developed prior to Ushio acquiring BLV.
So the 10k bulbs are NOT the same--either DE or SE. Sanjay has tested those and they do indeed test different.
A different issue is the Giesemann bulbs that are made by BLV for Giesemann. There seems to be very, very little difference between the BLV 10k and the Giesemann 13k--albeit I believe that the claim at least is that the G'mann uses a "more stable" phosphor combo for better color stability. The next question is just how different is this "new" Nepturion 14k and the Giesemann 14.5k?
So the 10k bulbs are NOT the same--either DE or SE. Sanjay has tested those and they do indeed test different.
A different issue is the Giesemann bulbs that are made by BLV for Giesemann. There seems to be very, very little difference between the BLV 10k and the Giesemann 13k--albeit I believe that the claim at least is that the G'mann uses a "more stable" phosphor combo for better color stability. The next question is just how different is this "new" Nepturion 14k and the Giesemann 14.5k?
bowfront
10 & Over Club
Would BLV (which is now really just Ushio) still be developing bulbs for geisemann now that they are a part of Ushio?
FWIW Ushio has owned BLV for the last 15 years. This is around the same time they started manufacturing metal halide bulbs.
FWIW Ushio has owned BLV for the last 15 years. This is around the same time they started manufacturing metal halide bulbs.
johns
Premium Member
OK. So can anyone explain then why so many bulbs are available in both BLV and Ushio variants? And not just that they are being marketed or sold in different countries, becasue it appears that with testing these are actually different bulbs?
Maybe that negates the theory that the BLV and Ushio 14ks are one and the same bulb - maybe like the 10k and 20k that are actually different.
Maybe that negates the theory that the BLV and Ushio 14ks are one and the same bulb - maybe like the 10k and 20k that are actually different.
moonpod
Premium Member
johns here is the deal:
Per Ushio/BLV, the 14k is the same bulb. The only difference is the labeling.
The 10k bulbs are different for whatever reason.
BLV makes the bulbs for Giesemann. Why? How many metal halide bulb makers do you really think there are in Europe? Do you think Giesemann or Aqualine Bushke for that matter have their own light bulb factories? No, they contract out.
As for why are the BLV and Ushio bulbs different? Who knows. They are targeted for different countries--BLV as far as I know has always made the "cores" for the Ushio MH bulbs, which for whatever reason may have lead to different lines of bulbs for North America and the rest of the world. Technically speaking, the US is not supposed to get the BLV 10k bulb. Those bulbs when sold in the US are "reimported", the dealers don't get 'em from Ushio, whereas they get Ushio bulbs from Ushio North America. The major source of BLV bulbs in the US that I know of is Sunlight Supply and they bring 'em in from Europe.
Per Ushio/BLV, the 14k is the same bulb. The only difference is the labeling.
The 10k bulbs are different for whatever reason.
BLV makes the bulbs for Giesemann. Why? How many metal halide bulb makers do you really think there are in Europe? Do you think Giesemann or Aqualine Bushke for that matter have their own light bulb factories? No, they contract out.
As for why are the BLV and Ushio bulbs different? Who knows. They are targeted for different countries--BLV as far as I know has always made the "cores" for the Ushio MH bulbs, which for whatever reason may have lead to different lines of bulbs for North America and the rest of the world. Technically speaking, the US is not supposed to get the BLV 10k bulb. Those bulbs when sold in the US are "reimported", the dealers don't get 'em from Ushio, whereas they get Ushio bulbs from Ushio North America. The major source of BLV bulbs in the US that I know of is Sunlight Supply and they bring 'em in from Europe.
). If your in the 10k camp you'll like it. If your in the 20k camp, maybe not. I have the 250w version.
hahnmeister
In Memoriam
I think I would like to ressurect this thread:
It appears that with the recent testing of UShio and BLV bulbs by Sanjay, there are some different bulbs being made under each name. The BLV nepturion 14,000K seems to be a bit brighter than the Ushio, and, FWIW, seems to be the exact same bulb as the G-man 14,500K. From Sanjay's recent article...
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-03/sj/index.php
It appears that Ushio alone has many versions of a 10,000K, 14,000K, or 20,000K.
So Im seeking some clarity on this subject... what is what as far as the Ushio/BLV(HIT) lighting goes?
It appears that with the recent testing of UShio and BLV bulbs by Sanjay, there are some different bulbs being made under each name. The BLV nepturion 14,000K seems to be a bit brighter than the Ushio, and, FWIW, seems to be the exact same bulb as the G-man 14,500K. From Sanjay's recent article...
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-03/sj/index.php
It appears that Ushio alone has many versions of a 10,000K, 14,000K, or 20,000K.
So Im seeking some clarity on this subject... what is what as far as the Ushio/BLV(HIT) lighting goes?
Justin James
New member
Megachrome marine. They are 13,000K but give the growth of a 10,000K without the yellow.
hahnmeister
In Memoriam
Actually, I believe the G-mans are rebadged Ushio/BLV bulbs. Compare the BLV nepturion 14,000K to the G-man Coral/14,500K in their 400 watt versions... they are identical.
Justin James
New member
Well the Megachrome bulbs are made in Germany and I doubt the Ushio bulbs are made in germany. Perhaps Ushio is coppying off of Megachrome 
hahnmeister
In Memoriam
Why do you doubt the Ushio are made in Germany? Ushio is a German company too...
http://www.ushio.com/corporate/globalnetwork.htm
http://www.ushio.com/corporate/globalnetwork.htm
Justin James
New member
Well theres something I didn't know.
hahnmeister
In Memoriam
I believe all of their aquarium bulbs are made in the EU/Germany. From looking at the spectral graphs and outputs, it looks like the Giesemann bulbs overlap with the BLV nepturion bulbs.
Justin James
New member
Interesting. So it would come down to price then with thouse two I guess.
anemoneguy
Member
so im really confused... i just bought the mechachrome coral because i thought it was the best bulb on sanjays testing for color and par. i think its a little washed out for lack of a better word. i use hqi ballasts for the de bulb. i was going to try the a/b bulb to see if i could get closer to the other side of my tank that for now has 10 k bulbs that came with the current usa fixture.i have no idea what bulbs they are i guess current bulbs. anyway the mechachrome coral doesnt seem to penetrate as deep, but again maybe it does because the corals do seem to enjoy/like the bulb.are the 14 k bulbs an all around better choice because of spectrum? i was trying to get a bluer bulb that appears crisp to the eye. by the way 250 watt is what i have.
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