HQI Questions

MyOwnGrowOp · 12/29/2011, 08:41 AM

Alright i have a question about my 150w HQI. I have 2x 96w PC actinic for supplementing, and as of right now I have Yushio 14k HQI's which I have read throw a pretty high intensity light. Now I need to replace the bulbs and I'm wondering what to get.. I have read that everyone love Phoenix 14k but they are apparently much more blue than the Yushio, thus not as bright. Will I have issues with the light not being intense enough if I switch to these?

rtparty · 12/29/2011, 09:13 AM

Brightness and PAR are two VERY different things, please don't get them confused. Brightness is how intense the light looks yo a human eye. This isn't very hard to do either. Mix some red, green and blue light together to make "white" and the human eye thinks it is "bright".

However, the PAR may be extremely low still. PAR is a reading of how much light is actually there. The human eye has developed the skills to work in MANY different conditions and thus isn't great at actually measuring the total amount of light present.

The Phoenix 14k bulbs are a very good bulb with plenty of PAR to keep anything. People have been using them for years without issue.

MyOwnGrowOp · 12/29/2011, 10:30 AM

Very good point! My wording was a bit off on the original post. Thank you for clearing that up. Anyone else have any opinions on these?

sirreal63 · 12/29/2011, 11:31 AM

I will second the Phoenix, it is my second favorite bulb with the Radium being first. If you want it really blue, the Phoenix is a good choice, the Radium if run an a M81 magnetic ballast is more white than the Phoenix and more what you are used to. Both are high PAR bulbs and will be a little less on the PAR values than the Ushio 14K, while offering a more "blue" look.

MyOwnGrowOp · 12/29/2011, 12:33 PM

Alright well I just ordered them so I hope I like em! Thanks for the help guys

jamesdean3 · 12/29/2011, 03:09 PM

I use the phoenix 14k on 2 150 HQi with (2) 96 W PCS for supplement on a 75 Gallon tank and i can keep anything and i love the color too! check out marindepot as they have those bulbs on a great sale right now. take the plunge!

12/29/2011, 08:41 AM	#1
MyOwnGrowOp Zoa Addict Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Calgary Alberta, Canada Posts: 274	HQI Questions Alright i have a question about my 150w HQI. I have 2x 96w PC actinic for supplementing, and as of right now I have Yushio 14k HQI's which I have read throw a pretty high intensity light. Now I need to replace the bulbs and I'm wondering what to get.. I have read that everyone love Phoenix 14k but they are apparently much more blue than the Yushio, thus not as bright. Will I have issues with the light not being intense enough if I switch to these? __________________ 120 Gallon Reef With Starfire Front, 45 Gallon Sump, Lit by Aqua Light Pro Deluxe, Super Reef Octopus 2000 Skimmer. 25 Gallon Top Down Shallow Cube lit by a Radion Pro with a TIR lens kit Current Tank Info: 120 Gallon Reef. 45 Gallon Sump. 25 Gallon Top Down Reef

12/29/2011, 09:13 AM	#2
rtparty Raise The Reef! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Utah Posts: 7,404	Brightness and PAR are two VERY different things, please don't get them confused. Brightness is how intense the light looks yo a human eye. This isn't very hard to do either. Mix some red, green and blue light together to make "white" and the human eye thinks it is "bright". However, the PAR may be extremely low still. PAR is a reading of how much light is actually there. The human eye has developed the skills to work in MANY different conditions and thus isn't great at actually measuring the total amount of light present. The Phoenix 14k bulbs are a very good bulb with plenty of PAR to keep anything. People have been using them for years without issue. __________________ Ryan Click on my user name and check out my homepage! Current Tank Info: 50g Cadlights/Giesemann Spectra (250w Radium, 2 ATI Blue Plus, 2 ATI Actinic)/2 x Vortech MP10wQD/Skimz SN123/Eheim Compact 3000+

12/29/2011, 10:30 AM	#3
MyOwnGrowOp Zoa Addict Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Calgary Alberta, Canada Posts: 274	Very good point! My wording was a bit off on the original post. Thank you for clearing that up. Anyone else have any opinions on these? __________________ 120 Gallon Reef With Starfire Front, 45 Gallon Sump, Lit by Aqua Light Pro Deluxe, Super Reef Octopus 2000 Skimmer. 25 Gallon Top Down Shallow Cube lit by a Radion Pro with a TIR lens kit Current Tank Info: 120 Gallon Reef. 45 Gallon Sump. 25 Gallon Top Down Reef

12/29/2011, 11:31 AM	#4
sirreal63 Go Spurs Go!!! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Meadowlakes Texas Posts: 13,357	I will second the Phoenix, it is my second favorite bulb with the Radium being first. If you want it really blue, the Phoenix is a good choice, the Radium if run an a M81 magnetic ballast is more white than the Phoenix and more what you are used to. Both are high PAR bulbs and will be a little less on the PAR values than the Ushio 14K, while offering a more "blue" look. __________________ Jack No One has ever been seriously injured by using the search function. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency. Current Tank Info: Reefing the Pentagon.

12/29/2011, 12:33 PM	#5
MyOwnGrowOp Zoa Addict Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Calgary Alberta, Canada Posts: 274	Alright well I just ordered them so I hope I like em! Thanks for the help guys __________________ 120 Gallon Reef With Starfire Front, 45 Gallon Sump, Lit by Aqua Light Pro Deluxe, Super Reef Octopus 2000 Skimmer. 25 Gallon Top Down Shallow Cube lit by a Radion Pro with a TIR lens kit Current Tank Info: 120 Gallon Reef. 45 Gallon Sump. 25 Gallon Top Down Reef

12/29/2011, 03:09 PM	#6
jamesdean3 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 128	I use the phoenix 14k on 2 150 HQi with (2) 96 W PCS for supplement on a 75 Gallon tank and i can keep anything and i love the color too! check out marindepot as they have those bulbs on a great sale right now. take the plunge!

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