Recommendation on 14k~15k MH Bulb

bucket brigade · 12/26/2007, 02:58 PM

Tank = std 75g with two 250w MH pendants and IceCap ballasts, SPS, LPS and softies thruout the tank.

One of my DE 14k 250w Hamilton bulbs just burned-out and replacing for the first-time....

.... what MFGR, in your opinion, is one of the BEST 14k~15k bulbs to buy? (willing to spend more than average pricing to get best quality)

rbursek · 12/26/2007, 05:53 PM

I use the Hamiltons 14 from Hellolights.com. Like them.
Bob

o.c.d. · 12/26/2007, 06:09 PM

If you replace one bulb and it's a different Kalvin than the other bulb half your tank may have a different look than the other side. 14k to 15k is't probably to noticeable.20,000 you would notice. but if your picky you may want to change both and have a spare.IMO I like 14k with some fuji purple,or blue plus T5 bulbs added to the equation.

seapug · 12/26/2007, 07:13 PM

I use 2 different bulbs on my 48" fixture and I like it. I'm using 150W DE 14k Phoenix bulbs on the softie side and they look good, but they are a bit on the blue side-- almost like 20k's of other brands.

On the sps side I just put in a 12k ReefLux bulb that I LOVE. I think that brand and Color Temp. has the best balance of blue and white I've found. I feel like I finally found the perfect balance of light I've been searching for.

12/26/2007, 02:58 PM	#1
bucket brigade Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 8	Recommendation on 14k~15k MH Bulb Tank = std 75g with two 250w MH pendants and IceCap ballasts, SPS, LPS and softies thruout the tank. One of my DE 14k 250w Hamilton bulbs just burned-out and replacing for the first-time.... .... what MFGR, in your opinion, is one of the BEST 14k~15k bulbs to buy? (willing to spend more than average pricing to get best quality) Last edited by bucket brigade; 12/26/2007 at 03:28 PM.

12/26/2007, 07:13 PM	#4
seapug Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: 4980 ft. Posts: 7,954 Blog Entries: 1	I use 2 different bulbs on my 48" fixture and I like it. I'm using 150W DE 14k Phoenix bulbs on the softie side and they look good, but they are a bit on the blue side-- almost like 20k's of other brands. On the sps side I just put in a 12k ReefLux bulb that I LOVE. I think that brand and Color Temp. has the best balance of blue and white I've found. I feel like I finally found the perfect balance of light I've been searching for. __________________ insert clever saying here. Current Tank Info: 200 gallon custom Marineland DD peninsular tank. LPS dominated mixed reef. Previous 90 gallon mixed reef TOTM April 2009.

12/26/2007, 05:53 PM	#2
rbursek Moved On Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: germantown,wi Posts: 2,339	I use the Hamiltons 14 from Hellolights.com. Like them. Bob

12/26/2007, 06:09 PM	#3
o.c.d. Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Sacramento CA Posts: 739	If you replace one bulb and it's a different Kalvin than the other bulb half your tank may have a different look than the other side. 14k to 15k is't probably to noticeable.20,000 you would notice. but if your picky you may want to change both and have a spare.IMO I like 14k with some fuji purple,or blue plus T5 bulbs added to the equation.