14k Bulb Comparison

reefin'aggie · 04/27/2006, 01:45 PM

Hey everybody, I am in the process of upgrading lights and will be going with 2x250 watt DE pendants on PFO HQI ballasts.

I will be going with a 14k bulb, but which one?

I am torn between the Hamilton and Phoenix 14ks.

First off, who makes the Phoenix bulbs(is Phoenix the name of the manufacturer?) and does anyone have any PAR statistics on these bulbs. I looked at Sanjays and CnidarianReef.com and couldn't find any info.

And does anyone have any pics of their tanks lit by the Phoenix 14ks? Do you like the growth/color compared to the Hamilton 14k?

Thanx,
Jacob

Julio · 04/27/2006, 02:00 PM

try and look at Sanjay site for a good comparison and which woudl be the best bulb on the market in the 14K range.

reefin'aggie · 04/27/2006, 02:04 PM

Yeah, like I said in my previous post, I checked Sanjays and JBNYs site and could not find any info on them. Some websites are selling them saying they are almost identical to the AquaConnect 14ks in spectral output and performance but I am just trying to find some hard facts to back this up.

Mainly b/c I don't want the pay the large price tag on the AquaConnects.

Anyone with pics of tanks lit with the Phoenix bulbs?

Jacob

dwdenny · 04/27/2006, 02:04 PM

Just go to the gallery and do a search for 250w 14k MH or phoenix and there will be a ton of pics come up. HTH

twon8 · 04/27/2006, 02:34 PM

i have heard the pheonix are the same the aquaconnects, but i have no first hand experience. i am getting one soon, and from the people who have recommended them i don't think you can go wrong with them.

reefin'aggie · 04/27/2006, 04:27 PM

Cool thanx everyone. From what I've seen and heard it sounds like the Phoenix are the way to go.

Jacob

want2reef · 04/27/2006, 06:13 PM

Go phoenix.

pavster · 04/28/2006, 03:29 PM

Go phoenix if you want the blue look. My gallery has some photos.

moonpod · 04/28/2006, 04:14 PM

The Phoenix bulbs are on Sanjay's site. They are not on JBNYs b/c they only come in DE. Phoenix is a Japanese Industrial lighting manufacturer. Most likely aquaconnects are relabelled Phoenix bulbs (ie Phoenix makes them for AC). They are not "14k". The color spectrum on the 250w DE Phoenix/AC "14k" is 20+k in reallity. On the M80 ballast it gives a fairly pleasant whitish bluish look with the added bonus of a "black light" effect on the colors. Not actinic but more of a blacklight look.

The Hammy 14k is a soft white and is pleasant enough but IME doesn't make the colors "pop". It is more likely a true 14kish bulb. Similarly the Ushio/BLV 14k and the Giesemann 14.5k (possibly the same bulb) are also white, white bulbs and more likely "true" 14k bulbs.

Ti · 04/28/2006, 06:47 PM

Hamilton FTW
Very crisp.

04/27/2006, 01:45 PM	#1
reefin'aggie Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Texas. Posts: 171	14k Bulb Comparison Hey everybody, I am in the process of upgrading lights and will be going with 2x250 watt DE pendants on PFO HQI ballasts. I will be going with a 14k bulb, but which one? I am torn between the Hamilton and Phoenix 14ks. First off, who makes the Phoenix bulbs(is Phoenix the name of the manufacturer?) and does anyone have any PAR statistics on these bulbs. I looked at Sanjays and CnidarianReef.com and couldn't find any info. And does anyone have any pics of their tanks lit by the Phoenix 14ks? Do you like the growth/color compared to the Hamilton 14k? Thanx, Jacob __________________ Been reefin' for a lotta years. Current Tank Info: Only tank action I get is helping my friend build his 240!

04/27/2006, 02:00 PM	#2
Julio Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: New york Posts: 7,978	try and look at Sanjay site for a good comparison and which woudl be the best bulb on the market in the 14K range. __________________ Thanks, Have a nice day. Julio Current Tank Info: 90 gallon reef w/ 250 watt SE XM10Ks and AP1003, 12 gallon reef, 40 gallon reef

04/27/2006, 02:04 PM	#3
reefin'aggie Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Texas. Posts: 171	Yeah, like I said in my previous post, I checked Sanjays and JBNYs site and could not find any info on them. Some websites are selling them saying they are almost identical to the AquaConnect 14ks in spectral output and performance but I am just trying to find some hard facts to back this up. Mainly b/c I don't want the pay the large price tag on the AquaConnects. Anyone with pics of tanks lit with the Phoenix bulbs? Jacob __________________ Been reefin' for a lotta years. Current Tank Info: Only tank action I get is helping my friend build his 240!

04/27/2006, 02:04 PM	#4
dwdenny Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Edinburg, Texas Posts: 1,369	Just go to the gallery and do a search for 250w 14k MH or phoenix and there will be a ton of pics come up. HTH __________________ "Attitude determine altitude" Visit MAAST.org just click the "Red House" Current Tank Info: 40g Breeder in the works

04/27/2006, 02:34 PM	#5
twon8 Formally registered membe Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: slightly sw of richmond, va Posts: 5,920	i have heard the pheonix are the same the aquaconnects, but i have no first hand experience. i am getting one soon, and from the people who have recommended them i don't think you can go wrong with them. __________________ Anthony Richmond Reef Club "and as things fell apart, nobody paid much attention." Not building a wall but making a brick Current Tank Info: 300g DD display, 60g frag tank

04/27/2006, 04:27 PM	#6
reefin'aggie Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Texas. Posts: 171	Cool thanx everyone. From what I've seen and heard it sounds like the Phoenix are the way to go. Jacob __________________ Been reefin' for a lotta years. Current Tank Info: Only tank action I get is helping my friend build his 240!

04/27/2006, 06:13 PM	#7
want2reef Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Tracy CA. Posts: 1,353	Go phoenix. __________________ Kevin The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese. Current Tank Info: CADlights Artison II 165g, 50g sump,Aquamaxx Q-3 Skimmer, AI Hydra 26 HD.

04/28/2006, 03:29 PM	#8
pavster Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 189	Go phoenix if you want the blue look. My gallery has some photos.

04/28/2006, 04:14 PM	#9
moonpod Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: B.H., Los Angeles Posts: 13,053	The Phoenix bulbs are on Sanjay's site. They are not on JBNYs b/c they only come in DE. Phoenix is a Japanese Industrial lighting manufacturer. Most likely aquaconnects are relabelled Phoenix bulbs (ie Phoenix makes them for AC). They are not "14k". The color spectrum on the 250w DE Phoenix/AC "14k" is 20+k in reallity. On the M80 ballast it gives a fairly pleasant whitish bluish look with the added bonus of a "black light" effect on the colors. Not actinic but more of a blacklight look. The Hammy 14k is a soft white and is pleasant enough but IME doesn't make the colors "pop". It is more likely a true 14kish bulb. Similarly the Ushio/BLV 14k and the Giesemann 14.5k (possibly the same bulb) are also white, white bulbs and more likely "true" 14k bulbs. __________________ Excuses are just the nails for the house of failure. Current Tank Info: 32" Leemar starfire cube now empty and not quite so stinky

04/28/2006, 06:47 PM	#10
Ti Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 7,927	Hamilton FTW Very crisp. __________________ Hair algae is my Macro algae.