I hate my new bulbs.

LouH · 10/18/2009, 08:06 AM

I just switched out three 250 watt Ushio 10K bulbs for Phoenix 14K bulbs, and I hate the color. The greens look great, and several orange Ricordea in the tank "pop" from the rockwork, but my pink Seriatapora (Bird's Nest) and a rasberry colored Pocillopora are totally washed out. On top of that, they put out half the light intensity of the Ushios. I'm concerned that my Acros will stop growing.

Will the color shift to a "warmer" spectrum after break in? I used to have Hamilton 14K bulbs, and they looked great. I think that I just threw away $180.00.

Lou

James77 · 10/18/2009, 08:24 AM

Phoenix run better on HQI ballasts, and from what I've read, have a more monochrome color when not run on HQI.

They might change a bit in color as they break in, but its usually not major. Threw away $180? Just sell them in the used forums, you'll probably only lose 20-25 bucks.

LouH · 10/18/2009, 08:51 AM

I'm running them on Sunlight Supply ballasts. I bought them years ago, so I'm not sure if they are "HQI" or not. As a system they came with double ended "HQI" pendants.

I would characterize the color as monochrome.

frank40 · 10/18/2009, 08:57 AM

pheonix bulbs are more 20k than 14k....they will make your blues and greens pop with color but your pinks and reds will look faded. i ran them for a few months with IC ballasts and my tank looked like scope mouthwash.

i found the ushio 14k a better choice than the pheonix bulbs, it ran white with a hint of blue.

E.intheC · 10/18/2009, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James77

Threw away $180? Just sell them in the used forums, you'll probably only lose 20-25 bucks.

I agree here. People seem to love Phoenix bulbs on RC.

LouH · 10/18/2009, 09:28 AM

I think that I'll go back to the 10K Ushios and supplement them with Actinics which are only on when I'm home to enjoy the colors.

LouH · 10/18/2009, 09:43 AM

If anyone wants these, I'm putting them up for sale in the "Used Equipment Dry Goods" forum.

tufacody · 10/18/2009, 10:02 AM

I'm with you. I ordered my Belize Sun with phoenix 14k, and hate it. I can deal with the color, but it seems very dim.

agsansoo · 10/18/2009, 10:11 AM

Wow, I'm with you guys. I hate phoenix 14k's. Makes my tank look like diluted windex ! LOL I run ReefLux 12's.

reefEng10 · 10/18/2009, 10:35 AM

Mine are on hqi ballasts and I am loving them. Almost want MORE blue actually, as they are just slightly bluer than a crisp white. I think HQI might be a must for the phoenix to get the higher par #'s and bit more white.

luther1200 · 10/18/2009, 11:30 AM

They will burn in a warmer color. I would at least wait a few weeks to see how they burn in. Mine were very blue at first, but they burnt in a little warmer.

The pictur in my avatar was taken under Pheonix bulbs if that helps. And that is a pretty accurate color.

LouH · 10/18/2009, 08:04 PM

I'll give them a week to break in before making a final decision. Right now I would agree with the windex analogy.

Tater11 · 10/18/2009, 08:11 PM

it makes a difference with the ballast you have.i arn them on hqi ballast wite with slight hint of blue. nice color if you're using electronic ballast they will be real blue windex..

LouH · 10/18/2009, 08:41 PM

My ballast is a Sunlight Supply Blue Wave ballast. You can see it here:

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...%3D18%26um%3D1

10/18/2009, 08:06 AM	#1
LouH LouH Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 681	I hate my new bulbs. I just switched out three 250 watt Ushio 10K bulbs for Phoenix 14K bulbs, and I hate the color. The greens look great, and several orange Ricordea in the tank "pop" from the rockwork, but my pink Seriatapora (Bird's Nest) and a rasberry colored Pocillopora are totally washed out. On top of that, they put out half the light intensity of the Ushios. I'm concerned that my Acros will stop growing. Will the color shift to a "warmer" spectrum after break in? I used to have Hamilton 14K bulbs, and they looked great. I think that I just threw away $180.00. Lou

10/18/2009, 08:24 AM	#2
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	Phoenix run better on HQI ballasts, and from what I've read, have a more monochrome color when not run on HQI. They might change a bit in color as they break in, but its usually not major. Threw away $180? Just sell them in the used forums, you'll probably only lose 20-25 bucks. __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater Last edited by James77; 10/18/2009 at 09:08 AM.

10/18/2009, 10:11 AM	#9
agsansoo Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Downey,CA Posts: 1,782	Wow, I'm with you guys. I hate phoenix 14k's. Makes my tank look like diluted windex ! LOL I run ReefLux 12's. __________________ Andy SCRK Member Current Tank Info: Barebottom, 65 Bow-Front, 20 gal sump/fuge, octo extreme 160, (2) Lumen Max3 250W w/ XM 20k's, 2 VHO Actinic and (1) VorTech MP40w & (1) VorTech MP10

10/18/2009, 11:30 AM	#11
luther1200 Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NJ, shore Posts: 4,376	They will burn in a warmer color. I would at least wait a few weeks to see how they burn in. Mine were very blue at first, but they burnt in a little warmer. The pictur in my avatar was taken under Pheonix bulbs if that helps. And that is a pretty accurate color. __________________ Matt, 65G reef tank Current Tank Info: 65g reef, mix of sps, lps, few softies. Hoping to upgrade within the year.

10/18/2009, 08:51 AM	#3
LouH LouH Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 681	I'm running them on Sunlight Supply ballasts. I bought them years ago, so I'm not sure if they are "HQI" or not. As a system they came with double ended "HQI" pendants. I would characterize the color as monochrome.

10/18/2009, 08:57 AM	#4
frank40 Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: nyc Posts: 125	pheonix bulbs are more 20k than 14k....they will make your blues and greens pop with color but your pinks and reds will look faded. i ran them for a few months with IC ballasts and my tank looked like scope mouthwash. i found the ushio 14k a better choice than the pheonix bulbs, it ran white with a hint of blue.

10/18/2009, 09:28 AM	#6
LouH LouH Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 681	I think that I'll go back to the 10K Ushios and supplement them with Actinics which are only on when I'm home to enjoy the colors.

10/18/2009, 09:43 AM	#7
LouH LouH Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 681	If anyone wants these, I'm putting them up for sale in the "Used Equipment Dry Goods" forum.

10/18/2009, 10:02 AM	#8
tufacody Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,890	I'm with you. I ordered my Belize Sun with phoenix 14k, and hate it. I can deal with the color, but it seems very dim.

10/18/2009, 10:35 AM	#10
reefEng10 Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 183	Mine are on hqi ballasts and I am loving them. Almost want MORE blue actually, as they are just slightly bluer than a crisp white. I think HQI might be a must for the phoenix to get the higher par #'s and bit more white.

10/18/2009, 08:04 PM	#12
LouH LouH Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 681	I'll give them a week to break in before making a final decision. Right now I would agree with the windex analogy.

10/18/2009, 08:11 PM	#13
Tater11 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: centralia,il Posts: 1,111	it makes a difference with the ballast you have.i arn them on hqi ballast wite with slight hint of blue. nice color if you're using electronic ballast they will be real blue windex..

10/18/2009, 08:41 PM	#14
LouH LouH Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 681	My ballast is a Sunlight Supply Blue Wave ballast. You can see it here: http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...%3D18%26um%3D1