Bulb suggestions

[pwoller]

So I have 2-250 watt DE metal halides and 2 48 inch T5s. What is a good combination for a mixed reef, heavy SPS, some LPS? Currently I run 14 k pheonix and 2 geissman actinics.

 

[Sikryd]

So I have 2-250 watt DE metal halides and 2 48 inch T5s. What is a good combination for a mixed reef, heavy SPS, some LPS? Currently I run 14 k pheonix and 2 geissman actinics.

Won't don't you like out of the current setup??!?!?

That is the best bulb combo out there! What ballast are you running?

 

[pwoller]

Blue wave 7. I like how it looks, just seeing if there are better combos.

 

[macawmagic]

helio 20k. used to have the phoenix 14k's but imo these bulbs BLOW those away. I don't even turn my vho actinics on with the helios because you don't notice a difference. I've had radium people over that thought i was running radiums. and then they're impressed when they find out they're not radiums! all of my colors pop from red, blue, orange, green, pink, purple...all of them!

don't know if it makes a difference, but i'm running mine in aquamedic pendants with the aquamedic ballasts. hope that helps!

 

[imcosmokramer]

I use hamilton 14k

 

[I-K@ndY]

I run Maristar fixture on my set yo also 3x250 DE on a blue wave 7 ballast. I have tried so many bulbs but the 2 decent one's are Helios and Phoenix ..

 

[Reef Empire]

Been running (3) 250w DE on IceCaps for years, and have tried pretty much every bulb available for them. Somehow, I always come back to Ushio 20K DE bulbs. They seem to hold their color much better/longer than anything else I've seen.

 

[Tswifty]

Pheonix 14k and URI Super Actinic VHO's


IMO The Pheonix bulbs put out the best combination of color and PAR in a DE bulb.

 

[imcosmokramer]

T - I'm thinking of switching to the phoenix, but I just got these hamiltons, so I may hold off. Although, you know how good we all are at "waiting"

 

[aquafrags]

hamilton 14ks are much whiter than the phoenix 14k

 

[TonyB]

Phoenix, no question as far as DE.

 

[twinspots_goby]

vote for hamilton 14K

 

[naldopr]

I have seen many nice tanks on helio 20k. radiums looks good to

 

[bkv1997]

Pheonix 14k and URI Super Actinic VHO's


IMO The Pheonix bulbs put out the best combination of color and PAR in a DE bulb.

I agree with the above if your looking to stay with DEs.

However, I've never regretted selling my DEs and going to SE Radiums.

Brandon

 

[Werdlone]

I'm not sure how long the helios bulbs hold their color spectrum? I have also heard of quality issues...bulbs that won't fire after only a couple months. I have never personally had this problem. I used one and it looked dim compared to my phoenix bulb. I did like the blue spectrum but traded it after a few months.

I use (3)250 phoenix bulbs on blue wave ballasts and vho actinic supplementation. Hard for me to find a reason to change.

Phoenix have best par for color spectrum in DE bulbs (almost a 20K)
Phoenix is very low cost comparitively
Hold color spectrum for at least a year with very little shift (personal exp)
reliable quality

I feel like a commercial..but I like the bulb

 

[chefzif]

Phoenix 14k are the best in my book for a crisp blue

 

[jcom]

2 X 250W Phoenix 14k / 1 X Coralife 48" T5 Actinic / 1 X Coralife 48" 10k Daylight

The Daylight balances out the blue from the Phx and Actinic and looks very crisp and still well lit when MH's shut off. Way better than the Ushios I was running before.