What's the BEST 250Watt DE 14k bulb on HQI ballast?

[t0mmy108]

Time for new bulbs! the latest and greatest keeps on changing. Who makes the best looking 250 watt bulb that yields highest par values? I'm not running any VHO or actinic supplementation anymore.

My lighting system consists of five (5) HQI DE pendants run across a six foot 180 gallon tank. I have number 1,3,5 on from morning till night and 2,4 come on for a few hours during the day.

 

[mntl]

What is more important to you par/more full spectrum or blue-color? xm10k is very consistant for good growth and happy corals, very consistant bulb. But it is not real blue. If you have actinic I would stick with the xm10k.

But it is very subjective. Do you want more blue or better growth? If you want both then xm10k with enough actinic to suit your taste. If you are not willing to suppliment you will most likely sacrafice growth for a lower output/less full spectrum bulb.

-John-

 

[t0mmy108]

I'm looking for specifically a 14k. Out of all the 14k's, which one has the best par using a PFO HQI ballast?

 

[wfgworks]

I would say the Phoenix gives you nice PAR for a 14K but it CCT is more on the lines of a 20K. The Phoenix gives you similar PAR readings as a USHIO 10 or a BLV 10K.

The new Ushio/BLV 14k has not been tested for PAR but this bulb is just as bright as the Ushio 10k but really no yellow. I would guess it would also have some nice PAR numbers.

Those are my choices when it comes to 14k bulbs.

 

[t0mmy108]

I may be trying out the Ushio 14k bulbs. Phoenix just don't last long enough.

 

[Brad W]

Phoenix all the way. Cheap, bright and white.

Been around long enough now and I can't recall many folks *****ing about them either. So add "proven".

 

[Brad W]

How long do you use the Phoenix Tom?

 

[North Bay 101]

I ran Aquaconnect 14K 250 DE bulbs for the last 20 months. I wish that I can get some more.

 

[Deuce67]

Seems like the Phoenix slightly edges out the BLV/Ushio 14k a bit according to Sanjays testing. Im suprised the the BLV is actually under 10k. It is almost identical to the Ushio 10k. Id say go with the Phoenix if you want a bluer look. The info on the BLV 14k testing is in this months issue of Advanced Aquarist.

 

[PL-Reef]

i run a phoenix 250w 14k on my reef. i'm very happy with it. i think its a good inbetween growth and color.

 

[wfgworks]

Deuce67

Can you post the link of the testing of the Ushio 14K as I did not find it in April's issue or on Sanjay's website?

Thanks

 

[Deuce67]

Here you go.
Link

 

[Deuce67]

Im under the impression that the BLV is the same as the Ushio. My bad if I am wrong.

 

[t0mmy108]

I've been running three Phoenix bulbs for about 8 months now in combination with two Ushio 10ks. I just keep reading that Phoenix bulbs PAR values drop significantly after about six months. I get a funny looking mixture of lighting (blueish on the ends of the tank while it's yellowish in the middle) color with this combination. This time around, I wanted to use the same bulbs on all five pendants.

 

[sonofgaladriel]

I have two Phoenix and two Hamiltons. They are almost identical in color and brightness. The Phoenix have been up and running 5 hours a day for almost 6 months and they are going strong.
The Hamiltons are new at just about one month. I tried the Coralvue Reeflux 10Ks but they were just a tad bit too yellow.
I'm glad I've gone with consistant 14K all around.

 

[MICHEAL1]

I guess I would like to see some pics of tanks running 250 HQI 14k Reeflux or Phoenix bulbs. Some input on lighting schedual and life of bulb would be nice. Right now I am running the 10k HQI XM's and they are just a little bit to yellow for the wifes liking.

Thanks

Mike

 

[ahman]

How long are the phoenix bulbs suppost to last before needing replacement on an hqi ballast?