250W DE 10K bulb recommendation

IndyReefMan · 08/30/2006, 11:38 AM

It is time to replace my (2) 250W DE 20K bulbs on my 72gal reef. I really like the look of the 20K but growth has been too slow for my liking. I will be supplementing with (2) 54W T5 true actinics. My tank is SPS dominant with a few LPS and a t. crocea at the bottom. It is a 8 month old Giesmann fixture with the stock mag ballasts. I would like to maintain a white/blue to white look (no yellow, please). I've looked thru Sanjay's spectral anaylsis' and have tentatively narrowed it down to the Ushio 10K and the AB 10K, although the CCT of the AB 10K indicates that it could be a little yellow for my liking (I haven't actually seen either one of these bulbs). I would like some opinions and recommendations, please. Thank-you.

gasman059 · 08/30/2006, 11:50 AM

I tired ushio and coralview 400w 10k and my 275 sps is growing but yes its to yellow greeninsh to my liking thus going back to radium 400w 20 k!

gcarroll · 08/30/2006, 12:36 PM

Have you considered the Phoenix 14K. Nearly 20K color w/ 10K par output.

IndyReefMan · 08/30/2006, 12:55 PM

Yes I did. It looked washed out on my tank so I want to try something different. Interestingly, I've run the Phoenix 150W on an e ballast before and it looked awesome. Then, when I tried the 250W on the mag ballast I didn't like it. Amazing how different it can look.

gcarroll · 08/30/2006, 01:52 PM

What do you mean by washed out? Were you running the actinics with the Phoenix bulbs?

IndyReefMan · 08/30/2006, 02:04 PM

The colors were "hazy"... that's the best way that I can describe it. For some reason, it just didn't look as good with the ballasts that I'm using now. I was using the actinics with the bulbs. But, I was also using actinics when I used 150W phoenix with e ballasts. It looks like an entirely different bulb. Maybe I should put them back in again for a second opinion. I have been running the ushio 20k as of late and that is one incredible looking bulb, but very little growth.

gcarroll · 08/30/2006, 03:50 PM

Yeah, I tested the Ushio 20K for the Ushio guys before they hit the US Market. It is an incredible bulb when it comes to coloration. When I changed back to the Phoenix I found that the actual colors of the corals were kind of dull and browning out because of the low PAR output. I now stay with the unsupplemented Phoenix and now the coral colors are awesome.

j_gilbert · 08/30/2006, 04:35 PM

I have good growth with my 10K's and was wanting to goto 20k's to get better color. lol. we can never be satisfied

rustypixel · 08/31/2006, 06:38 AM

Can anyone tell me how the Phoenix will look when used on an HQI balast?

Thanks.

IndyReefMan · 08/31/2006, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by j_gilbert
I have good growth with my 10K's and was wanting to goto 20k's to get better color. lol. we can never be satisfied

If I had a bigger tank, that Ushio 20K would be great to mix with 10K bulbs... best of both worlds.

08/30/2006, 11:38 AM	#1
IndyReefMan Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 477	250W DE 10K bulb recommendation It is time to replace my (2) 250W DE 20K bulbs on my 72gal reef. I really like the look of the 20K but growth has been too slow for my liking. I will be supplementing with (2) 54W T5 true actinics. My tank is SPS dominant with a few LPS and a t. crocea at the bottom. It is a 8 month old Giesmann fixture with the stock mag ballasts. I would like to maintain a white/blue to white look (no yellow, please). I've looked thru Sanjay's spectral anaylsis' and have tentatively narrowed it down to the Ushio 10K and the AB 10K, although the CCT of the AB 10K indicates that it could be a little yellow for my liking (I haven't actually seen either one of these bulbs). I would like some opinions and recommendations, please. Thank-you.

08/30/2006, 12:36 PM	#3
gcarroll Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Orange, CA Posts: 9,666	Have you considered the Phoenix 14K. Nearly 20K color w/ 10K par output. __________________ Greg Carroll I will be at REEF-A-PALOOZA! SPS = Stability Promotes Success Be wary of advice coming from those who will not show you the fruits of their success! Current Tank Info: building: 250g AGE Euro tank, Abyzz A200, Vertex Supra-G filtration, Ecotech Radion Pro LEDs, ...

08/30/2006, 01:52 PM	#5
gcarroll Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Orange, CA Posts: 9,666	What do you mean by washed out? Were you running the actinics with the Phoenix bulbs? __________________ Greg Carroll I will be at REEF-A-PALOOZA! SPS = Stability Promotes Success Be wary of advice coming from those who will not show you the fruits of their success! Current Tank Info: building: 250g AGE Euro tank, Abyzz A200, Vertex Supra-G filtration, Ecotech Radion Pro LEDs, ...

08/30/2006, 03:50 PM	#7
gcarroll Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Orange, CA Posts: 9,666	Yeah, I tested the Ushio 20K for the Ushio guys before they hit the US Market. It is an incredible bulb when it comes to coloration. When I changed back to the Phoenix I found that the actual colors of the corals were kind of dull and browning out because of the low PAR output. I now stay with the unsupplemented Phoenix and now the coral colors are awesome. __________________ Greg Carroll I will be at REEF-A-PALOOZA! SPS = Stability Promotes Success Be wary of advice coming from those who will not show you the fruits of their success! Current Tank Info: building: 250g AGE Euro tank, Abyzz A200, Vertex Supra-G filtration, Ecotech Radion Pro LEDs, ...

08/31/2006, 06:38 AM	#9
rustypixel Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Northeast, USA Posts: 154	Can anyone tell me how the Phoenix will look when used on an HQI balast? Thanks. __________________ Out of my mind and out of control! Current Tank Info: 20 Gal nano

08/30/2006, 11:50 AM	#2
gasman059 The OG mad scientist Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: SOFLA Posts: 10,308	I tired ushio and coralview 400w 10k and my 275 sps is growing but yes its to yellow greeninsh to my liking thus going back to radium 400w 20 k!

08/30/2006, 12:55 PM	#4
IndyReefMan Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 477	Yes I did. It looked washed out on my tank so I want to try something different. Interestingly, I've run the Phoenix 150W on an e ballast before and it looked awesome. Then, when I tried the 250W on the mag ballast I didn't like it. Amazing how different it can look.

08/30/2006, 02:04 PM	#6
IndyReefMan Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 477	The colors were "hazy"... that's the best way that I can describe it. For some reason, it just didn't look as good with the ballasts that I'm using now. I was using the actinics with the bulbs. But, I was also using actinics when I used 150W phoenix with e ballasts. It looks like an entirely different bulb. Maybe I should put them back in again for a second opinion. I have been running the ushio 20k as of late and that is one incredible looking bulb, but very little growth.

08/30/2006, 04:35 PM	#8
j_gilbert Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 83	I have good growth with my 10K's and was wanting to goto 20k's to get better color. lol. we can never be satisfied