Phoenix 14k on icecap ballast burns whiter?

nanoguy · 12/13/2007, 01:11 AM

I just purchased and installed my 250 watt DE 14k phoenix bulb and it does not appear to be all that blue like people say it is. I am running it on an IceCap mh ballast and was wondering if it just burns "whiter" on this ballast?

kdblove_99 · 12/13/2007, 02:40 AM

I would think more blue on a electronic ballast and more white on HQI

Jefe12234 · 12/13/2007, 09:15 AM

I've also heard that these are supposed to burn much bluer on electronic ballasts, but I've seen them on ARO electronic ballasts and they don't look much bluer than mine on an HQI ballast. I think the color change between ballasts is overstated on this bulb.

nanoguy · 12/13/2007, 10:40 AM

I have my bulb on an HQI ballast. I just swapped out my 20k AB for the 14k Phoenix and I can definitely say it's not as blue as a 20k but it's definitely brighter. In my opinion it looks very similar to the 14k Hamilton's I used to run over my cube. I think I was just expecting it to be more blue.

mr pink floyd · 12/13/2007, 12:13 PM

i have mine on an ARO electronic, it burns fairly blue. Not nearly as blue as some people say, bu it seems to be a perfect mix of brightness/blue.

maybe you should give it time to burn in?

SDguy · 12/13/2007, 01:15 PM

I run mine on icecaps. Not as blue as people say. I've seen 20K bulbs...these do NOT look 20K.....no blue toilet water here

When they first light in the morning, there is a point (few seconds) when they look REALLY blue...*that's* 20K IMO.

nanoguy · 12/13/2007, 02:49 PM

I would have to agree.........it is definitely not a 20k color, but it still puts out a nice color.

barjam · 12/13/2007, 03:11 PM

Thanks for this thread, seems in other threads where it comes up people say this bulb is a toilet water bulb.

I am glad to hear it is not as I plan to get these (with my new MH kit).

bdare · 12/17/2007, 03:44 PM

Does anyone know which 250w bulb puts out more PAR on an Icecap ballast?

Phoenix DE 14K
or
Reeflux DE 10K

barjam · 12/17/2007, 03:51 PM

Can't find DE info for the Reeflux but using the SE Info:

Phoenix 73ppfd (DE)
Reeflux 86ppfd (SE)

bdare · 12/18/2007, 01:40 PM

I'm thinking about switching to the Phoenix 14K. Would this bulb look bad with 2x39 T5? the T5's are blue+ and atinic.

Thanks,
Ben

nanoguy · 12/18/2007, 01:46 PM

I'm running my 250 DE phoenix with 2x24 watter ATI blue plus......nice color combo but I personally prefer a tad bit more blue but it's still looks good either way. It's more important that my corals like it. I'll see how they color up in the next couple of months.

barjam · 12/18/2007, 03:43 PM

I plan to run my pheonix with a blue plus and an actinic.... the phoenix has soooo much 450nm already I am hoping the actinic (of which the phoenix has little) looks good.

bdare · 12/18/2007, 03:48 PM

Just what I wanted to hear!!! Thanks guys. The Reeflux 10K is just too white for me with the t5's

12/13/2007, 01:11 AM	#1
nanoguy OG Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Bay Area, Ca Posts: 1,897	Phoenix 14k on icecap ballast burns whiter? I just purchased and installed my 250 watt DE 14k phoenix bulb and it does not appear to be all that blue like people say it is. I am running it on an IceCap mh ballast and was wondering if it just burns "whiter" on this ballast? __________________ - JC

12/13/2007, 09:15 AM	#3
Jefe12234 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: MN Posts: 885	I've also heard that these are supposed to burn much bluer on electronic ballasts, but I've seen them on ARO electronic ballasts and they don't look much bluer than mine on an HQI ballast. I think the color change between ballasts is overstated on this bulb. __________________ Serenity now!!!

12/13/2007, 10:40 AM	#4
nanoguy OG Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Bay Area, Ca Posts: 1,897	I have my bulb on an HQI ballast. I just swapped out my 20k AB for the 14k Phoenix and I can definitely say it's not as blue as a 20k but it's definitely brighter. In my opinion it looks very similar to the 14k Hamilton's I used to run over my cube. I think I was just expecting it to be more blue. __________________ - JC

12/13/2007, 01:15 PM	#6
SDguy Fish heads unite! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Diego Posts: 23,384	I run mine on icecaps. Not as blue as people say. I've seen 20K bulbs...these do NOT look 20K.....no blue toilet water here When they first light in the morning, there is a point (few seconds) when they look REALLY blue...that's 20K IMO. __________________ Peter SDMAS member Marine tanks since 1989. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. ><((((º> Current Tank Info: 240g butterfly and angel FOWLR. 15g QT.

12/13/2007, 02:49 PM	#7
nanoguy OG Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Bay Area, Ca Posts: 1,897	I would have to agree.........it is definitely not a 20k color, but it still puts out a nice color. __________________ - JC

12/13/2007, 02:40 AM	#2
kdblove_99 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Frederick,CO Posts: 8,683	I would think more blue on a electronic ballast and more white on HQI

12/13/2007, 12:13 PM	#5
mr pink floyd Moved On Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: west hartford, CT Posts: 3,480	i have mine on an ARO electronic, it burns fairly blue. Not nearly as blue as some people say, bu it seems to be a perfect mix of brightness/blue. maybe you should give it time to burn in?

12/13/2007, 03:11 PM	#8
barjam Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 1,695	Thanks for this thread, seems in other threads where it comes up people say this bulb is a toilet water bulb. I am glad to hear it is not as I plan to get these (with my new MH kit).

12/17/2007, 03:44 PM	#9
bdare Salty Dude Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Rockwall, TX Posts: 1,322 Blog Entries: 3	Does anyone know which 250w bulb puts out more PAR on an Icecap ballast? Phoenix DE 14K or Reeflux DE 10K __________________ 220 Mixed Reef GeoCaRx, GHL Profilux 4, Octopus Skimmer, Kessil 360X 2 x Maxspect Gyre XF350

12/17/2007, 03:51 PM	#10
barjam Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 1,695	Can't find DE info for the Reeflux but using the SE Info: Phoenix 73ppfd (DE) Reeflux 86ppfd (SE)

12/18/2007, 01:40 PM	#11
bdare Salty Dude Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Rockwall, TX Posts: 1,322 Blog Entries: 3	I'm thinking about switching to the Phoenix 14K. Would this bulb look bad with 2x39 T5? the T5's are blue+ and atinic. Thanks, Ben __________________ 220 Mixed Reef GeoCaRx, GHL Profilux 4, Octopus Skimmer, Kessil 360X 2 x Maxspect Gyre XF350

12/18/2007, 01:46 PM	#12
nanoguy OG Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Bay Area, Ca Posts: 1,897	I'm running my 250 DE phoenix with 2x24 watter ATI blue plus......nice color combo but I personally prefer a tad bit more blue but it's still looks good either way. It's more important that my corals like it. I'll see how they color up in the next couple of months. __________________ - JC

12/18/2007, 03:43 PM	#13
barjam Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 1,695	I plan to run my pheonix with a blue plus and an actinic.... the phoenix has soooo much 450nm already I am hoping the actinic (of which the phoenix has little) looks good.

12/18/2007, 03:48 PM	#14
bdare Salty Dude Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Rockwall, TX Posts: 1,322 Blog Entries: 3	Just what I wanted to hear!!! Thanks guys. The Reeflux 10K is just too white for me with the t5's __________________ 220 Mixed Reef GeoCaRx, GHL Profilux 4, Octopus Skimmer, Kessil 360X 2 x Maxspect Gyre XF350