10,14,20K comparisons for those who may switch

Genin · 08/01/2006, 07:33 PM

Hey everyone. I have had the chance to have three bulbs on my tank. I am going to post pics of what my tank looks like under them so you can see an example of what your tank may look like under them if you are thinking about switching.

Coralife 10k 150w DE, PFO HQI ballast:

Pheonix 14k 150w DE, PFO HQI ballast:

Hamilton 20k 150w DE, PFO HQI ballast:

I run the Pheonix 14 K on my tank currently. The Pheonix is as bright as the 10k but still makes my corals glow. I have seen peoples' tanks that look pretty blue with that bulb but my ballast fires it nice and white, with only the slightest hint of blue. I loved the 10k, I just wanted a bit more color on my corals. My 20k was great with coral color, just not bright enough.

HTH anyone that is looking for a new bulb.

pham411 · 08/01/2006, 08:23 PM

nice. i was also planning on switching to pheonix 14kz

Genin · 08/01/2006, 08:43 PM

you should, you won't be disappointed.

mg426 · 08/01/2006, 09:51 PM

WOW I am due for some new bulbs, I think you might have made my mind.

Genin · 08/02/2006, 06:00 AM

i hope it helped. i was nervous using different bulbs because i didn't know what my tank would look like with them and to be honest MH bulbs are not exactly cheap.

tangwang · 08/02/2006, 06:27 AM

How long have each of these been burning in those pics?

Matt

techrach · 08/02/2006, 06:31 AM

Nice thanks for the side by side.

swashbuckler · 08/02/2006, 08:53 AM

i dont see pictures...

CapnKick · 08/02/2006, 09:20 AM

I've been running the Phoenix 14K over my 120 gallon (2x250w) and love the color. No visible runoff after two months, 6hrs/day, however I do not have a spectrometer so it's hard to tell. Still looking strong though.

benf · 08/02/2006, 09:24 AM

Yes, i miss my Phoenix bulbs...this time i switched to the Ushio 10k cause they were out of the the Phoenix bulbs and tried to make up for it with 2 actinics, but still not the same pop of green and purple corals that i had before with my Phoenix bulbs.

Genin · 08/02/2006, 10:42 AM

The 20k is a 3 month old bulb, the 10k is a 2 month old bulb, and the 14k is brand spanking new (about a week old).

08/01/2006, 07:33 PM	#1
Genin Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: PA Posts: 755	10,14,20K comparisons for those who may switch Hey everyone. I have had the chance to have three bulbs on my tank. I am going to post pics of what my tank looks like under them so you can see an example of what your tank may look like under them if you are thinking about switching. Coralife 10k 150w DE, PFO HQI ballast: Pheonix 14k 150w DE, PFO HQI ballast: Hamilton 20k 150w DE, PFO HQI ballast: I run the Pheonix 14 K on my tank currently. The Pheonix is as bright as the 10k but still makes my corals glow. I have seen peoples' tanks that look pretty blue with that bulb but my ballast fires it nice and white, with only the slightest hint of blue. I loved the 10k, I just wanted a bit more color on my corals. My 20k was great with coral color, just not bright enough. HTH anyone that is looking for a new bulb.

08/01/2006, 09:51 PM	#4
mg426 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 6,923	WOW I am due for some new bulbs, I think you might have made my mind. __________________ I found a way to make a small fortune running a reef tank. Start with a large fortune. Unofficial President of the SEACLONE haters club Current Tank Info: 125 mixed reef 110 lbs LR, 1x250watt XM 20K MH 2x175watt XM 20K MH on Magetics 2X96 watt actinic PC, 220 watt VHO actinic, 30 gallon refugium, closed loop system powered by Sequence Dart MSX 200 skimmer 38 gallon sump, Oceansmotions squirt

08/02/2006, 06:27 AM	#6
tangwang Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Central Florida Posts: 1,480	How long have each of these been burning in those pics? Matt __________________ You can knock at any door, but wherever you go you know they've been there before........ Current Tank Info: No current tanks..

08/02/2006, 06:31 AM	#7
techrach Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Smyrna,Tennessee Posts: 138	Nice thanks for the side by side. __________________ 75 gal,coralife 2 X 250Watt Metal hylaid 95W X4 50/50, 2" Aragonite crushed coral, Red Sea Skimmer, 3 Maxi Jet 1200's running with upgrade kits And about 75 lbs of live rock. Current Tank Info: 75 gal

08/02/2006, 08:53 AM	#8
swashbuckler Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Central VA Posts: 1,726	i dont see pictures... __________________ "Der Guten Tag Hop-Clop" -The Producers Current Tank Info: 40breeder, 150W AquaMedic Oceanlight, 190W VHO Superactinics, AquaC Remora, 5 gallon fuge.

08/01/2006, 08:23 PM	#2
pham411 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 127	nice. i was also planning on switching to pheonix 14kz

08/01/2006, 08:43 PM	#3
Genin Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: PA Posts: 755	you should, you won't be disappointed.

08/02/2006, 06:00 AM	#5
Genin Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: PA Posts: 755	i hope it helped. i was nervous using different bulbs because i didn't know what my tank would look like with them and to be honest MH bulbs are not exactly cheap.

08/02/2006, 09:20 AM	#9
CapnKick Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: San Francisco Posts: 189	I've been running the Phoenix 14K over my 120 gallon (2x250w) and love the color. No visible runoff after two months, 6hrs/day, however I do not have a spectrometer so it's hard to tell. Still looking strong though. __________________ Curator of the North Point Marine Aquarium & Bar Current Tank Info: 120G reef, 29G sump/refugium, 2x250W DE MH, 4x110W VHO, AquaC EV180

08/02/2006, 09:24 AM	#10
benf Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: wesley chapel, florida Posts: 4,031	Yes, i miss my Phoenix bulbs...this time i switched to the Ushio 10k cause they were out of the the Phoenix bulbs and tried to make up for it with 2 actinics, but still not the same pop of green and purple corals that i had before with my Phoenix bulbs. __________________ Ben Current Tank Info: None :(

08/02/2006, 10:42 AM	#11
Genin Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: PA Posts: 755	The 20k is a 3 month old bulb, the 10k is a 2 month old bulb, and the 14k is brand spanking new (about a week old).