What's you favorite bulb to use?

nbd13 · 04/10/2006, 08:32 AM

Well it's time to replace my MH bulbs, so far i have been using Hamilton 14k DE. I am happy with the color that i am getting, but the growth is not ideal. This is for my 275 gallon SPS tank, that's why i am posting here.

So i need some reccomendations on a 14k DE bulb.

I have been considering 14k pheonix, but some people on here said they have had problem with color with these bulbs, then other have reported excellent color.

I have also been considering the BLV 14k, but i hear that is a more white color.

I am like the color that the Hamiltons are, it's very pleasing to my eyes. I want something very close the the color that the Hamiltons give off, but want to try somethign different. Maybe something that will help with growth alittle more...

anyway any suggestions guys?

oh BTW i have ROIIIs now, but am switching them to the new LumenMax 3 from Sunlight Supply as soon as they come out. I am running Bluewave 7 HQI ballast....

so give me some pros/cons to the bulbs i should consider.

i also have 4 VHOs (03s) and am trying to figure out how i can squeeze 3-4 more VHOs or T5s in the already cramped canopy, haha...

anyway just want to try something different, but keep close to the same color on my acros, just boost the PAR to get better growth.

thanks guys!

Nick

twon8 · 04/10/2006, 08:45 AM

aren't lumenmas se reflectors?
if so i would go with aquaconnect 14ks.
great bulb with great color and great par.

Ti · 04/10/2006, 09:52 AM

go phoenix

nbd13 · 04/10/2006, 10:34 AM

twon8- sunlight supply is coming out with DE versions...go to their forum here on reefcentral to read about them, supposed to be out very soon.

Ti- any reasons why?

thanks

Nick

clkwrk · 04/10/2006, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ti
go phoenix

This is my reason why

I get awesome color and growth.

nbd13 · 04/10/2006, 11:04 AM

What are you supplementing with?

thanks

Nick

clkwrk · 04/10/2006, 11:32 AM

what do you mean?

If you are talking actinic? Thats 2x95 super actinic vho which only do good when all the halides are off. It makes no difference at all while the halides are on.

nbd13 · 04/10/2006, 03:33 PM

That's what i mean any actinic supplementation...

i may try the pheonix, not many other options out there...

Nick

Harlequinreef · 04/10/2006, 03:39 PM

I went from 14k single end 250 watt hamilton to 250 watt DE 14k phoenix and i love them. Brighter, but still enough blue, at least for me. No actinic supplements

prodman · 04/10/2006, 04:36 PM

If you like the color of the hamilton then you wont like the blv14k. I say switch to the pheonix you will be happy. My friend just switched from hamilton to pheonix and its been a good thing for her.

nbd13 · 04/10/2006, 05:58 PM

prodman- what does she think about the color she is getting from her coral after the switch?

thanks

Nick

prodman · 04/10/2006, 06:20 PM

Check this out http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...hreadid=820928 this is her tank

Purple Haze · 04/10/2006, 06:38 PM

Pheonix

nbd13 · 04/10/2006, 09:10 PM

Thanks guys i decided i will try pheonix out!

clkwrk- so you think these bulbs have about a 8-10 month life span?

thanks

Nick

clkwrk · 04/10/2006, 10:03 PM

Yes 8-10 month max. After that there fine for softies ect but not sps .

marine_freak · 04/10/2006, 11:12 PM

clkwrk...... Uh very nice.......fragging any stuff in the future??? Oh I would also go with Pheonix....

04/10/2006, 08:32 AM	#1
nbd13 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Charlotte, Michigan Posts: 3,259	What's you favorite bulb to use? Well it's time to replace my MH bulbs, so far i have been using Hamilton 14k DE. I am happy with the color that i am getting, but the growth is not ideal. This is for my 275 gallon SPS tank, that's why i am posting here. So i need some reccomendations on a 14k DE bulb. I have been considering 14k pheonix, but some people on here said they have had problem with color with these bulbs, then other have reported excellent color. I have also been considering the BLV 14k, but i hear that is a more white color. I am like the color that the Hamiltons are, it's very pleasing to my eyes. I want something very close the the color that the Hamiltons give off, but want to try somethign different. Maybe something that will help with growth alittle more... anyway any suggestions guys? oh BTW i have ROIIIs now, but am switching them to the new LumenMax 3 from Sunlight Supply as soon as they come out. I am running Bluewave 7 HQI ballast.... so give me some pros/cons to the bulbs i should consider. i also have 4 VHOs (03s) and am trying to figure out how i can squeeze 3-4 more VHOs or T5s in the already cramped canopy, haha... anyway just want to try something different, but keep close to the same color on my acros, just boost the PAR to get better growth. thanks guys! Nick

04/10/2006, 08:45 AM	#2
twon8 Formally registered membe Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: slightly sw of richmond, va Posts: 5,920	aren't lumenmas se reflectors? if so i would go with aquaconnect 14ks. great bulb with great color and great par. __________________ Anthony Richmond Reef Club "and as things fell apart, nobody paid much attention." Not building a wall but making a brick Current Tank Info: 300g DD display, 60g frag tank

04/10/2006, 09:52 AM	#3
Ti Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 7,927	go phoenix __________________ Hair algae is my Macro algae.

04/10/2006, 11:32 AM	#7
clkwrk Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Mesa ,Az Posts: 10,257	what do you mean? If you are talking actinic? Thats 2x95 super actinic vho which only do good when all the halides are off. It makes no difference at all while the halides are on. __________________ ------- Feel free to use my photos for ONLY informative sites, education or enjoyment.All I ask is to include my Reef Central User id and where you got the photo ( RC).

04/10/2006, 04:36 PM	#10
prodman Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: napa,ca Posts: 3,305	If you like the color of the hamilton then you wont like the blv14k. I say switch to the pheonix you will be happy. My friend just switched from hamilton to pheonix and its been a good thing for her. __________________ everything that happens will happen today Current Tank Info: 120XL

04/10/2006, 10:34 AM	#4
nbd13 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Charlotte, Michigan Posts: 3,259	twon8- sunlight supply is coming out with DE versions...go to their forum here on reefcentral to read about them, supposed to be out very soon. Ti- any reasons why? thanks Nick

04/10/2006, 11:04 AM	#6
nbd13 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Charlotte, Michigan Posts: 3,259	What are you supplementing with? thanks Nick

04/10/2006, 03:33 PM	#8
nbd13 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Charlotte, Michigan Posts: 3,259	That's what i mean any actinic supplementation... i may try the pheonix, not many other options out there... Nick

04/10/2006, 03:39 PM	#9
Harlequinreef Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: NJ Posts: 205	I went from 14k single end 250 watt hamilton to 250 watt DE 14k phoenix and i love them. Brighter, but still enough blue, at least for me. No actinic supplements

04/10/2006, 05:58 PM	#11
nbd13 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Charlotte, Michigan Posts: 3,259	prodman- what does she think about the color she is getting from her coral after the switch? thanks Nick

04/10/2006, 06:20 PM	#12
prodman Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: napa,ca Posts: 3,305	Check this out http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...hreadid=820928 this is her tank __________________ everything that happens will happen today Current Tank Info: 120XL

04/10/2006, 06:38 PM	#13
Purple Haze Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: TX Posts: 1,156	Pheonix

04/10/2006, 09:10 PM	#14
nbd13 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Charlotte, Michigan Posts: 3,259	Thanks guys i decided i will try pheonix out! clkwrk- so you think these bulbs have about a 8-10 month life span? thanks Nick

04/10/2006, 10:03 PM	#15
clkwrk Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Mesa ,Az Posts: 10,257	Yes 8-10 month max. After that there fine for softies ect but not sps . __________________ ------- Feel free to use my photos for ONLY informative sites, education or enjoyment.All I ask is to include my Reef Central User id and where you got the photo ( RC).

04/10/2006, 11:12 PM	#16
marine_freak Moved On Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Lima. Ohio Posts: 324	clkwrk...... Uh very nice.......fragging any stuff in the future??? Oh I would also go with Pheonix....