250w hqi options....

[Troylee]

What's a good bulb for a 250w hqi??? I love radiums but no love there... Not a fan of the phoenix that's what I currently run... I'm thinking a xm20k but want to make sure there isn't anything else I should consider... Lmk what you guys think.. I like the deep rich blue look "deepwater" thanks.... I'm only familiar with single ended bulbs also... Are the xm20k hqi as blue as the single ended???

 

[redtop03]

I read it somewhere that those are as close as you can get to the radiums 20ks but I don't know for sure.....I like the 14k Phoenix but I didn't figure you would after being a 20k guy for so long...I'm about ready for something bluer too :D

 

[Troylee]

Idk man every one says the phoenix is very blue... Not on my tank it's pure white and has washed my colors out... I know I have had issues with my tank lately but even on day one when it lit for the first time I didn't care for it.... I want my radiums back..:cry:

 

[Battlecorals Verified Sponsor]

I love radiums but no love there...

I don't understand? You have DE fixtures?

 

[redtop03]

they are a lot bluer than the Odyssea 12k bulbs that were in my old lights but nowhere near 20k blue,I haven't tried anything else,cause these were blue enough for me at the time,but now I'm wanting to see some color pop from my tank and they ain't doing it.....I still like the color of the bulbs though

 

[Troylee]

I don't understand? You have DE fixtures?

Yup a hqi "double ended" :cry:

 

[lawnman]

I have heard the xm20k bulb is as blue as you can get when it comes to DE bulbs.

 

[Troylee]

I know they are on the single ended ones... I loved my xm single ended bulbs but growth sucked... Radium was the bomb all around.. I'll prolly stick with my initial plan then of a xm20k... I heard the ushio are blue but never saw one in person or used one..

 

[caudill187]

I have had several 250w hqi bulbs for my Hamilton pendant. Hamilton 20K's are by far my favorite bulb. They really gave me the look of having actinics with no supplementation, a nice blue with good fluorescence without the washed out blue of the phoenix bulbs. The Radiums weren't blue enough for me. I like the Hamilton bulbs much better than the 150W HQI radiums or phoenix, but I haven't had XM bulbs to compare them to.

 

[FaviaFreak]

Ushio 20k is a nice bulb

 

[Captain Nemo]

Either the XM or the Ushio will make you happy Lee. I have the XM 20 and love it! Seen the Ushio and it is almost as blue. I personally think that the XM has the edge but I think you would be happy with either one.