Best Metal Halide Choice. Please Help!

Felixc395 · 06/23/2010, 01:51 PM

I have a 24'' metal halide fixture with a 250 watt DE bulb with supplementary 2 T5's (that I haven't installed yet). I know both T5's will be ATI blue plus. The tank is a 60 gallon cube (24'' for all dimenstions). I would like a 14k bulb that with two T5's will hopefully look as close as possible to 20k (love the look of 20k just not the intensity).

What bulbs would be a good choice for my situation? I'm fine with whatever brand a long as they are good in color and PAR.

Thanks guys and gals!

redlabel · 06/23/2010, 02:08 PM

i use aquamax 14k and love the colors they bring out

Felixc395 · 06/23/2010, 06:54 PM

Really? Interesting, I haven't heard many good reviews for aquamax.

Toadally · 06/23/2010, 08:50 PM

The par is not really good on that bulb. I've had a little dilema myself trying to decide on a bulb. I tried the Reeflux 12k but it kinda sucked....then the Phoenix 14k it was too blue. Now I have gone back to a 10k bulb. I'll probably continue using the 10k because it's intense, brings out the true colors of the fish and coral....and good growth. It's been a trip to say the least.

Felixc395 · 06/24/2010, 11:57 AM

Is the Phoenix 14k known for being blue? Does it still have good PAR?

Opus123 · 06/24/2010, 01:32 PM

Personally I like the AB bulbs. They were a crisp white but I had great growth with them.

SirToppemHat · 06/24/2010, 02:03 PM

My COLOR preference in order:
AB20K
Phoenix 14k
Reflux 12k

Note: growth was best in the opposite order.

I liked all the bulbs though, depends on what you're going for.

Toadally · 06/24/2010, 05:00 PM

I'm surprised you had great growth with the Reeflux 12k. They are very low in PAR

Felixc395 · 06/24/2010, 06:06 PM

I can't seem to find these AB bulbs. Is AB the brand and if so what's it stand for? What's the color like and does anyone know the PAR?

Also what's good PAR for a 14k 250 watt DE on an HQI ballast?

Toadally · 06/24/2010, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Felixc395

I can't seem to find these AB bulbs. Is AB the brand and if so what's it stand for? What's the color like and does anyone know the PAR?

Also what's good PAR for a 14k 250 watt DE on an HQI ballast?

Marine Depot has them....

Felixc395 · 06/24/2010, 07:50 PM

Thanks! Would the Phoenix 14k give blue color as well as good intensity? Anyone know the PAR for them?

grigsy · 06/24/2010, 08:35 PM

Yes, the PHX will give a blue color and has high par.

Many people dont like the tidy bowl blue look it gives the tank (myself included) but many others really like it.

I think overall thoguh PHX would be a good choice for you.

Felixc395 · 06/24/2010, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grigsy

Yes, the PHX will give a blue color and has high par.

Many people dont like the tidy bowl blue look it gives the tank (myself included) but many others really like it.

I think overall thoguh PHX would be a good choice for you.

Thanks. Does anyone have a list or atleast a top five selection of highest rated brands in terms of PAR? I've looked at Sanjay's tests but couldn't gather all the info.

Felixc395 · 06/24/2010, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Opus123

Personally I like the AB bulbs. They were a crisp white but I had great growth with them.

What Kelvin rating was the bulb?

Felixc395 · 06/25/2010, 12:58 PM

Bump

reef_doug · 06/25/2010, 02:47 PM

I've used many different DE bulbs and always go back to Phoenix. Only small comment is it can wash out reds, but otherwise a really balance of growth & color.

kc350twin · 06/25/2010, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reef_doug

I've used many different DE bulbs and always go back to Phoenix. Only small comment is it can wash out reds, but otherwise a really balance of growth & color.

+1

Phoenix is a nice Blue bulb with good PAR plus I have had good life out of them. Color shift was minimal as well.

James77 · 06/25/2010, 06:24 PM

Phoenix color depends on the ballast its run on. On electronics, it will be ubderdriven and bluer. On HQI ballasts, it is a bright white with a strong blue.

sasharotty · 06/25/2010, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toadally

I'm surprised you had great growth with the Reeflux 12k. They are very low in PAR

They arent that bad as far as par, ran 400 12k reeflux on my 150 with great growth.

Felixc395 · 06/25/2010, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James77

Phoenix color depends on the ballast its run on. On electronics, it will be ubderdriven and bluer. On HQI ballasts, it is a bright white with a strong blue.

Thanks, now when people explain descriptions like white with strong blue; how can it be both and what does this describe?

stpauli914 · 06/25/2010, 08:20 PM

I love the Radiums. Great color and great growth IMO. Some will say the growth isn't that good but I disagree. And the coloration of the corals is out of this world.

Aaron

fishreef1 · 06/25/2010, 08:40 PM

I like the radiums as well

Felixc395 · 06/25/2010, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stpauli914

I love the Radiums. Great color and great growth IMO. Some will say the growth isn't that good but I disagree. And the coloration of the corals is out of this world.

Aaron

Unfortunately they don't have radiums in DE form. I have heard multiple reviews that all said good things: just wish they made them in DE versions.

zaheda · 06/26/2010, 01:55 AM

Speaking of halides, What you guys think of BLV 10k SE. Im using BLV 20k but they not too powerful and bright. I heard that the 400w BLV 10k the highest par bulb available.

James77 · 06/26/2010, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Felixc395

Thanks, now when people explain descriptions like white with strong blue; how can it be both and what does this describe?

White would just be very white. With a strong blue would look as though you were runnig actinics.

06/23/2010, 01:51 PM	#1
Felixc395 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 1,612	Best Metal Halide Choice. Please Help! I have a 24'' metal halide fixture with a 250 watt DE bulb with supplementary 2 T5's (that I haven't installed yet). I know both T5's will be ATI blue plus. The tank is a 60 gallon cube (24'' for all dimenstions). I would like a 14k bulb that with two T5's will hopefully look as close as possible to 20k (love the look of 20k just not the intensity). What bulbs would be a good choice for my situation? I'm fine with whatever brand a long as they are good in color and PAR. Thanks guys and gals!

06/23/2010, 08:50 PM	#4
Toadally Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Mount Holly, NC Posts: 986	The par is not really good on that bulb. I've had a little dilema myself trying to decide on a bulb. I tried the Reeflux 12k but it kinda sucked....then the Phoenix 14k it was too blue. Now I have gone back to a 10k bulb. I'll probably continue using the 10k because it's intense, brings out the true colors of the fish and coral....and good growth. It's been a trip to say the least. __________________ _Michael "Who was the first person to look at a cow and say, "I think I'll squeeze these dangly things here, and drink whatever comes out?" Reef Aquarium Society of Charlotte (RASOC) Treasurer Current Tank Info: 57gal. Illuminata, Bubble Magus Skimmer, Tek Elite 6x39w, 40gal. Breeder, 2x A150w Kessil LED

06/24/2010, 05:00 PM	#8
Toadally Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Mount Holly, NC Posts: 986	I'm surprised you had great growth with the Reeflux 12k. They are very low in PAR __________________ _Michael "Who was the first person to look at a cow and say, "I think I'll squeeze these dangly things here, and drink whatever comes out?" Reef Aquarium Society of Charlotte (RASOC) Treasurer Current Tank Info: 57gal. Illuminata, Bubble Magus Skimmer, Tek Elite 6x39w, 40gal. Breeder, 2x A150w Kessil LED

06/25/2010, 02:47 PM	#16
reef_doug Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Hesperia/Apple Valley Posts: 3,814	I've used many different DE bulbs and always go back to Phoenix. Only small comment is it can wash out reds, but otherwise a really balance of growth & color. __________________ "If you have more than one tank in your livingroom, you might be a reefneck" Current Tank Info: 180r SoCal Creations, 75g SCC1M Sump, WM EcoBAK, NextReef SMR1, TropicMarin Salt, ACIII, 3x250w HQI Phoenix 14k, 2x140w Super Actinics, ATi BM250, Eheim 1262, Tunze 2x6100+7095, Tunze Osmolator, 6 stage RODI w/ Spectrapure MaxCap

06/25/2010, 06:24 PM	#18
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	Phoenix color depends on the ballast its run on. On electronics, it will be ubderdriven and bluer. On HQI ballasts, it is a bright white with a strong blue. __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater

06/23/2010, 02:08 PM	#2
redlabel Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 72	i use aquamax 14k and love the colors they bring out

06/23/2010, 06:54 PM	#3
Felixc395 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 1,612	Really? Interesting, I haven't heard many good reviews for aquamax.

06/24/2010, 11:57 AM	#5
Felixc395 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 1,612	Is the Phoenix 14k known for being blue? Does it still have good PAR?

06/24/2010, 01:32 PM	#6
Opus123 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: North Texas Posts: 605	Personally I like the AB bulbs. They were a crisp white but I had great growth with them.

06/24/2010, 02:03 PM	#7
SirToppemHat Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 472	My COLOR preference in order: AB20K Phoenix 14k Reflux 12k Note: growth was best in the opposite order. I liked all the bulbs though, depends on what you're going for.

06/24/2010, 06:06 PM	#9
Felixc395 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 1,612	I can't seem to find these AB bulbs. Is AB the brand and if so what's it stand for? What's the color like and does anyone know the PAR? Also what's good PAR for a 14k 250 watt DE on an HQI ballast?

06/24/2010, 07:50 PM	#11
Felixc395 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 1,612	Thanks! Would the Phoenix 14k give blue color as well as good intensity? Anyone know the PAR for them?

06/24/2010, 08:35 PM	#12
grigsy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Posts: 2,307	Yes, the PHX will give a blue color and has high par. Many people dont like the tidy bowl blue look it gives the tank (myself included) but many others really like it. I think overall thoguh PHX would be a good choice for you.

06/25/2010, 12:58 PM	#15
Felixc395 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 1,612	Bump

06/25/2010, 08:20 PM	#21
stpauli914 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Clearwater/Dunedin Posts: 1,990	I love the Radiums. Great color and great growth IMO. Some will say the growth isn't that good but I disagree. And the coloration of the corals is out of this world. Aaron __________________ Thanks Reef Central!!! Current Tank Info: 240 Gallon Mixed Reef Miracles Custom 72x30x25 Starfire, COR20 RD3 80W, BK Alpha 200, MP40QD's, Radion G4 Pros * 80 Gallon Deep Blue Rimless SPS Dominant 48x24x16 Starfire, RD5 ECO, BK Mini 160, MP40QD's, Radion Gen4 Pros* Apex Controlled

06/25/2010, 08:40 PM	#22
fishreef1 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Greenwood, In. Posts: 121	I like the radiums as well

06/26/2010, 01:55 AM	#24
zaheda Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 674	Speaking of halides, What you guys think of BLV 10k SE. Im using BLV 20k but they not too powerful and bright. I heard that the 400w BLV 10k the highest par bulb available.

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