Suggestions needed, currently using Phoenix 14K's but want to try 20ks

650-IS350 · 11/05/2009, 02:45 PM

Which one is the best bang for the buck.

Right now I have Outer Orbit Pro 250MH with 4T5s ( 240 and 220 blues ), 2 fiji purples and 14K Phoenix. I'm planning on trying other T5s out there on the market for supplemntation. The tank btw is a 37 cube ( probably 24x24x20? ) mixed reef ( SPS/LPS/POLYP/CLAM)

Debating if I should go with :
20K XM's
MB6763 250 Watt 15000K Metal Halide Bulb - XM, Double-Ended $79.00
MB6867 250 Watt 20000K+ Metal Halide Bulb - Ushio, Double Ended $73.99
MB6861 250 Watt 20000K Metal Halide Bulb - XM, Double Ended $79.00
MB6862 250 Watt 20000K Metal Halide Bulb - IceCap, Double Ended $79.99
MB6863 250 Watt 20000K Metal Halide Bulb - Aqualine AB, Double Ended $119.99 (for a bulb???? )
MB6865 250 Watt 21000K Metal Halide Bulb - Megachrome Blue, Double Ended $109.99 (For a bulb ??? )
MB6868 250 Watt 20000K Metal Halide Bulb - Blue Life SPS (South Pacific Sunlight), Double-Ended $78.99

What's a good one? I want to try 20Ks to see the difference with my Phoenix 14K.

cobbobby · 11/05/2009, 03:19 PM

I'd try the EVC 20k from reefscience. Heard nothing but good about them. Colorwise they are suppose to be nicer looking than the Phoenix bulb's

cccapt · 11/05/2009, 03:30 PM

If your looking for PAR values, then this is from Sanjay's Lighting site. (These #'s are assuming your fixure has an electronic ballast and the reflectors have a UV shield.)

250 Watt 15000K Metal Halide Bulb - XM, 54 PPFD
250 Watt 20000K+ Metal Halide Bulb - Ushio, not tested
250 Watt 20000K Metal Halide Bulb - XM, 36 PPFD
250 Watt 20000K Metal Halide Bulb - IceCap, 50 PPFD
250 Watt 20000K Metal Halide Bulb - Aqualine AB, 40 PPFD
250 Watt 21000K Metal Halide Bulb - Megachrome Blue, 34 PPFD
250 Watt 20000K Metal Halide Bulb - Blue Life SPS (South Pacific Sunlight), SE 64 PPFD, DE not tested

250 Watt 20000K Metal Halide Bulb - EVC, 55 PPFD

250w Performance Data Results

650-IS350 · 11/05/2009, 03:37 PM

Thanks cobbobby

cccapt- Im not that verse on ppfd's, but so is the higher rating better? Yes the system is Electronic I believe and has the glass UV shield.

PPFD CCT Efficiency I'm not that verse with these?

cccapt · 11/05/2009, 03:42 PM

Yes, the higher the better.

Facts of Light
Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density (PPFD), which is a measure of the number of photons in the range of 400-700nm falling on a 1 meter square area per second. PPFD is a measure of Photosynthetically Available Radiation abbreviated as PAR.

650-IS350 · 11/05/2009, 03:58 PM

ahh.

11/05/2009, 02:45 PM	#1
650-IS350 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 14,555	Suggestions needed, currently using Phoenix 14K's but want to try 20ks Which one is the best bang for the buck. Right now I have Outer Orbit Pro 250MH with 4T5s ( 240 and 220 blues ), 2 fiji purples and 14K Phoenix. I'm planning on trying other T5s out there on the market for supplemntation. The tank btw is a 37 cube ( probably 24x24x20? ) mixed reef ( SPS/LPS/POLYP/CLAM) Debating if I should go with : 20K XM's MB6763 250 Watt 15000K Metal Halide Bulb - XM, Double-Ended $79.00 MB6867 250 Watt 20000K+ Metal Halide Bulb - Ushio, Double Ended $73.99 MB6861 250 Watt 20000K Metal Halide Bulb - XM, Double Ended $79.00 MB6862 250 Watt 20000K Metal Halide Bulb - IceCap, Double Ended $79.99 MB6863 250 Watt 20000K Metal Halide Bulb - Aqualine AB, Double Ended $119.99 (for a bulb???? ) MB6865 250 Watt 21000K Metal Halide Bulb - Megachrome Blue, Double Ended $109.99 (For a bulb ??? ) MB6868 250 Watt 20000K Metal Halide Bulb - Blue Life SPS (South Pacific Sunlight), Double-Ended $78.99 What's a good one? I want to try 20Ks to see the difference with my Phoenix 14K. __________________ * RETIRED FROM REEFING * Just enjoying the box of water from afar

11/05/2009, 03:30 PM	#3
cccapt Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: N.E. PA Posts: 842	If your looking for PAR values, then this is from Sanjay's Lighting site. (These #'s are assuming your fixure has an electronic ballast and the reflectors have a UV shield.) 250 Watt 15000K Metal Halide Bulb - XM, 54 PPFD 250 Watt 20000K+ Metal Halide Bulb - Ushio, not tested 250 Watt 20000K Metal Halide Bulb - XM, 36 PPFD 250 Watt 20000K Metal Halide Bulb - IceCap, 50 PPFD 250 Watt 20000K Metal Halide Bulb - Aqualine AB, 40 PPFD 250 Watt 21000K Metal Halide Bulb - Megachrome Blue, 34 PPFD 250 Watt 20000K Metal Halide Bulb - Blue Life SPS (South Pacific Sunlight), SE 64 PPFD, DE not tested 250 Watt 20000K Metal Halide Bulb - EVC, 55 PPFD 250w Performance Data Results __________________ /Larry Current Tank Info: 125 reef Last edited by cccapt; 11/05/2009 at 03:37 PM.

11/05/2009, 03:37 PM	#4
650-IS350 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 14,555	Thanks cobbobby cccapt- Im not that verse on ppfd's, but so is the higher rating better? Yes the system is Electronic I believe and has the glass UV shield. PPFD CCT Efficiency I'm not that verse with these? __________________ * RETIRED FROM REEFING * Just enjoying the box of water from afar

11/05/2009, 03:42 PM	#5
cccapt Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: N.E. PA Posts: 842	Yes, the higher the better. Facts of Light Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density (PPFD), which is a measure of the number of photons in the range of 400-700nm falling on a 1 meter square area per second. PPFD is a measure of Photosynthetically Available Radiation abbreviated as PAR. __________________ /Larry Current Tank Info: 125 reef

11/05/2009, 03:58 PM	#6
650-IS350 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 14,555	ahh. __________________ * RETIRED FROM REEFING * Just enjoying the box of water from afar

11/05/2009, 03:19 PM	#2
cobbobby Moved On Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: At a Tea Party Posts: 393	I'd try the EVC 20k from reefscience. Heard nothing but good about them. Colorwise they are suppose to be nicer looking than the Phoenix bulb's