Help buying new 150w HQI MH bulb

MrX1oo1 · 12/30/2009, 05:39 AM

so i'm getting a migraine from searching through forums for 150w HQI MH DE bulbs. I was thinking either 14k (what I have now) or 20k. mainly for sps purposes.
I saw people recommending phoenix or radium bulbs. I briefly read people recommending mx bulbs? sanjays site makes no sense to me since I know nothing about light spectrums or power usage.
I wish there was a nice list on best bulbs or a survey that shows what people are happiest with. any good bulbs on ebay? I saw these and I was curious:
http://stores.ebay.com/Trust-Deals-L...34Q2ec0Q2em322

Thanks in advance!

nano427 · 12/30/2009, 07:11 PM

I've been using 14k Phoenix for a while now. I really like it. It has good color, high par, fair price. I'd say it is the best bang for the buck. I just ordered a radium 20k, it should be here today so I can let you know about that too. The only reason I switched is just to see if the grass is greener so to speak

MrX1oo1 · 12/30/2009, 08:08 PM

where's the best site to buy these bulbs?

nano427 · 12/30/2009, 10:14 PM

check marine depot or premium aquatics

jtgrimes · 12/30/2009, 10:18 PM

I have 150w 14k Phoenix Halides. They are really nice. Try the link below.

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/Metal_Halide/Bulbs/

Pohono · 12/30/2009, 10:50 PM

Couple sites I like staring at each time I buy lights. Not all involved are DEs or even 150W, but you can get a general idea of different companies and what colors they produce. Both sites have been up a 'while' so perhaps some may have changed....either way, check it out.
(links found at melevsreef.com)

http://www.cnidarianreef.com/lamps.cfm
http://www.coralreefecosystems.com/ltg_bulb_color.htm

MrX1oo1 · 12/31/2009, 10:46 AM

now would I be better off with 14k or 20k?

ecureefer · 01/01/2010, 05:28 PM

im trying to decide on 14k or 20k as well so im tagging along hoping to see some pics of the difference in the 2

Harpo · 01/01/2010, 07:14 PM

I'm running 2 Phoenix 14k and l Ushio 20k. I can't tell the difference in color. Marine Depot has a good price on the Phoenix 14k right now and I ordered 3 to replace the current bulbs.
Mark

rkb · 01/01/2010, 07:29 PM

I run a 14K Phoenix and like the color, I think it could be a good stand alone bulb. My fixture pairs the HQI with two 96w PCs, the PCs were both dual actinics but the 14K Phoenix was so blue I had to replace a dual actinic with a 50/50.

As a note to the OP- I understand your frustration, I read peoples post that say the the Phoenix has great PAR, that's great- where did you find that info?

MrX1oo1 · 01/02/2010, 08:00 AM

Went with the 14k phoenix. I'll let ya know how I like it and maybe post some pics. I'll probably try out the evc bulbs next year or whatever's recommended. thanks for all your help everyone

rkb · 01/02/2010, 08:09 AM

Cool, I think you will like it. It will take about 100 hours of running time to "burn in" and see it's true spectrum. It is not a giant difference, but when you first get it will have a bluer light than after a 100 hours where it gets a tad more white.

MrX1oo1 · 04/17/2010, 10:25 PM

what the crack, bulb died on me today. I did however like the blue color of the bulb, probably buy another one soon

stanlalee · 04/18/2010, 06:13 AM

phoenix 14k and aquamaxx 15k are just as blue as the 20k 150w bulbs so if those were anybody's consideration for 14k vs 20k you are really only considering 20k bulbs.

MrX1oo1 · 04/18/2010, 06:40 AM

if there the same blue, which one is more beneficial for coral growth?

ForSaleByAndy · 04/18/2010, 07:28 AM

I've actually bought the ebay 15k bulbs for years and I have very good growth. 3 for $70 or whatever -- hard to beat imo.

grigsy · 04/19/2010, 08:50 PM

I have had way too many problems with Ebay bulbs to recommend them myself.

I would go with Ushio watt 20K HQI. I like the color better than PHX in 150 watt.

Try Custom Aquatic.

http://www.customaquatic.com/estore/...=LT-US15020-AQ

12/30/2009, 05:39 AM	#1
MrX1oo1 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Modesto Posts: 296	Help buying new 150w HQI MH bulb so i'm getting a migraine from searching through forums for 150w HQI MH DE bulbs. I was thinking either 14k (what I have now) or 20k. mainly for sps purposes. I saw people recommending phoenix or radium bulbs. I briefly read people recommending mx bulbs? sanjays site makes no sense to me since I know nothing about light spectrums or power usage. I wish there was a nice list on best bulbs or a survey that shows what people are happiest with. any good bulbs on ebay? I saw these and I was curious: http://stores.ebay.com/Trust-Deals-L...34Q2ec0Q2em322 Thanks in advance! __________________ 24g JBJ nano W/ stock pump 266 gph, lighting: 150 watt HQI. 30lbs LR, 30lbs LS (3in). filtration- first chamber: chaeto, purigen, phosban. Second chamber: sapphire skimmer. Third: pump Current Tank Info: 24g JBJ nano W/ stock pump 266 gph, lighting: 150 watt HQI. 30lbs LR, 30lbs LS (3in). filtration- first chamber: chaeto, purigen, phosban. Second chamber: sapphire skimmer. Third: pump.

12/30/2009, 08:08 PM	#3
MrX1oo1 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Modesto Posts: 296	where's the best site to buy these bulbs? __________________ 24g JBJ nano W/ stock pump 266 gph, lighting: 150 watt HQI. 30lbs LR, 30lbs LS (3in). filtration- first chamber: chaeto, purigen, phosban. Second chamber: sapphire skimmer. Third: pump Current Tank Info: 24g JBJ nano W/ stock pump 266 gph, lighting: 150 watt HQI. 30lbs LR, 30lbs LS (3in). filtration- first chamber: chaeto, purigen, phosban. Second chamber: sapphire skimmer. Third: pump.

12/30/2009, 10:18 PM	#5
jtgrimes Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Eastern ,NC Posts: 322	I have 150w 14k Phoenix Halides. They are really nice. Try the link below. http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/Metal_Halide/Bulbs/ __________________ "I glue animals to rocks" Current Tank Info: 110 Gallon Rimless - https://www.*********.com/threads/jtgrimes-110-gallon.637759/

12/31/2009, 10:46 AM	#7
MrX1oo1 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Modesto Posts: 296	now would I be better off with 14k or 20k? __________________ 24g JBJ nano W/ stock pump 266 gph, lighting: 150 watt HQI. 30lbs LR, 30lbs LS (3in). filtration- first chamber: chaeto, purigen, phosban. Second chamber: sapphire skimmer. Third: pump Current Tank Info: 24g JBJ nano W/ stock pump 266 gph, lighting: 150 watt HQI. 30lbs LR, 30lbs LS (3in). filtration- first chamber: chaeto, purigen, phosban. Second chamber: sapphire skimmer. Third: pump.

01/01/2010, 07:29 PM	#10
rkb Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Western Hemisphere Posts: 578	I run a 14K Phoenix and like the color, I think it could be a good stand alone bulb. My fixture pairs the HQI with two 96w PCs, the PCs were both dual actinics but the 14K Phoenix was so blue I had to replace a dual actinic with a 50/50. As a note to the OP- I understand your frustration, I read peoples post that say the the Phoenix has great PAR, that's great- where did you find that info? __________________ Current tank: Eleventy billion gallon tank with a DSB of rainbow gravel and one tiny blue tang...

12/30/2009, 07:11 PM	#2
nano427 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: AV OC CA USA Posts: 877	I've been using 14k Phoenix for a while now. I really like it. It has good color, high par, fair price. I'd say it is the best bang for the buck. I just ordered a radium 20k, it should be here today so I can let you know about that too. The only reason I switched is just to see if the grass is greener so to speak

12/30/2009, 10:14 PM	#4
nano427 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: AV OC CA USA Posts: 877	check marine depot or premium aquatics

12/30/2009, 10:50 PM	#6
Pohono Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Humboldt County, CA Posts: 60	Couple sites I like staring at each time I buy lights. Not all involved are DEs or even 150W, but you can get a general idea of different companies and what colors they produce. Both sites have been up a 'while' so perhaps some may have changed....either way, check it out. (links found at melevsreef.com) http://www.cnidarianreef.com/lamps.cfm http://www.coralreefecosystems.com/ltg_bulb_color.htm

01/01/2010, 05:28 PM	#8
ecureefer Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 101	im trying to decide on 14k or 20k as well so im tagging along hoping to see some pics of the difference in the 2

01/01/2010, 07:14 PM	#9
Harpo Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Butte Valley, Ca Posts: 698	I'm running 2 Phoenix 14k and l Ushio 20k. I can't tell the difference in color. Marine Depot has a good price on the Phoenix 14k right now and I ordered 3 to replace the current bulbs. Mark

01/02/2010, 08:00 AM	#11
MrX1oo1 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Modesto Posts: 296	Went with the 14k phoenix. I'll let ya know how I like it and maybe post some pics. I'll probably try out the evc bulbs next year or whatever's recommended. thanks for all your help everyone __________________ 24g JBJ nano W/ stock pump 266 gph, lighting: 150 watt HQI. 30lbs LR, 30lbs LS (3in). filtration- first chamber: chaeto, purigen, phosban. Second chamber: sapphire skimmer. Third: pump Current Tank Info: 24g JBJ nano W/ stock pump 266 gph, lighting: 150 watt HQI. 30lbs LR, 30lbs LS (3in). filtration- first chamber: chaeto, purigen, phosban. Second chamber: sapphire skimmer. Third: pump.

01/02/2010, 08:09 AM	#12
rkb Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Western Hemisphere Posts: 578	Cool, I think you will like it. It will take about 100 hours of running time to "burn in" and see it's true spectrum. It is not a giant difference, but when you first get it will have a bluer light than after a 100 hours where it gets a tad more white. __________________ Current tank: Eleventy billion gallon tank with a DSB of rainbow gravel and one tiny blue tang...

04/17/2010, 10:25 PM	#13
MrX1oo1 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Modesto Posts: 296	what the crack, bulb died on me today. I did however like the blue color of the bulb, probably buy another one soon __________________ 24g JBJ nano W/ stock pump 266 gph, lighting: 150 watt HQI. 30lbs LR, 30lbs LS (3in). filtration- first chamber: chaeto, purigen, phosban. Second chamber: sapphire skimmer. Third: pump Current Tank Info: 24g JBJ nano W/ stock pump 266 gph, lighting: 150 watt HQI. 30lbs LR, 30lbs LS (3in). filtration- first chamber: chaeto, purigen, phosban. Second chamber: sapphire skimmer. Third: pump.

04/18/2010, 06:13 AM	#14
stanlalee Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: hampton roads, va Posts: 1,799	phoenix 14k and aquamaxx 15k are just as blue as the 20k 150w bulbs so if those were anybody's consideration for 14k vs 20k you are really only considering 20k bulbs.

04/18/2010, 06:40 AM	#15
MrX1oo1 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Modesto Posts: 296	if there the same blue, which one is more beneficial for coral growth? __________________ 24g JBJ nano W/ stock pump 266 gph, lighting: 150 watt HQI. 30lbs LR, 30lbs LS (3in). filtration- first chamber: chaeto, purigen, phosban. Second chamber: sapphire skimmer. Third: pump Current Tank Info: 24g JBJ nano W/ stock pump 266 gph, lighting: 150 watt HQI. 30lbs LR, 30lbs LS (3in). filtration- first chamber: chaeto, purigen, phosban. Second chamber: sapphire skimmer. Third: pump.

04/18/2010, 07:28 AM	#16
ForSaleByAndy Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Livonia, MI Posts: 128	I've actually bought the ebay 15k bulbs for years and I have very good growth. 3 for $70 or whatever -- hard to beat imo.

04/19/2010, 08:50 PM	#17
grigsy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Posts: 2,307	I have had way too many problems with Ebay bulbs to recommend them myself. I would go with Ushio watt 20K HQI. I like the color better than PHX in 150 watt. Try Custom Aquatic. http://www.customaquatic.com/estore/...=LT-US15020-AQ