Lighting Questions

[bkv1997]

I'm currently running.

2 14k 250watt Pheonix DE bulbs
3 24" actinic Supplements (2 Actinic, 1 Sun)

I'm looking to change out my halide bulbs and was wondering if any one has used the 12K or 10K Reeflux bulbs and how do they compare to the 14k Pheonix?

I've previously used Pheonix 14k, Megachrome 14k and 20k, AB 10k and 20K.

Of the bulbs mentioned above the Pheonix 14k gave me the best coloration.

All the above said the issue I notice is I have a large pink milli that after changing bulbs has amazing blue tips for about 4 months then as the bulbs get older it is just solid pink.... Sooo just looking to see if others had had any personal experience with these bulbs.

Thanks in advance.

 

[bkv1997]

This is an older shot of my tank but the coral i'm now talking about is the one just to the right of the shrimp and is now about three times the size.

 

[coral diver]

Sorry I'm not a MH person but my comment is from what I see 90% of your coral looks mature and have beautifull growth, You might want to re-think the lower kelvin and go the higher kelvin to show the best color and might not need to suppliment with actinic just use it for your Dask to Dawn just my $0.02

 

[revhtree]

Bump...

 

[racermike27]

I use both the 10K and 12K reeflux bulbs. I like the coloration very much from the 10K (SE versions). I run them on A 250W IceCap ballast.
The blues are awesome with the reeflux bulbs and I am more than satisfied with the growth. They are not yellow at all on my tank, they are more of a white blue color, though not as blue as the phoenix 14K (which I hav e also used). I use the 12K bulb on my frag tank in the DE version. This bulb has much better coloration but is much more blue, I would say it might even be more blue than the phoenix. The growth is much slower with this bulb though. I also forgot to mention I do run VHO actinics along with the 10Ks though if I turn them off the coloration really does not change much. Just a few of the corals "pop" more when the VHOs are on.

HTH and if you have any more questions ask away,

Mike

 

[oceanparadise1]

Ilove my 10k reflux bulbs AWSOME growth

do u have a par meter and if so how much are they?

 

[bkv1997]

Thanks for all the replys.

I've ordered a single of the pheonix 14k and the reeflux 12k.

I'll post comparison pics and PAR ratings when they come in for everyone.

Thanks

 

[Eklikewhoa]

Please update after burning it in!

I am running a phoenix 250w right now and would love to hear of other options.

 

[bkv1997]

Well guys I got the new bulbs in. The reeflux 12k is as expected a slight bit lighter than the Pheonix 14k.

My 6 month old Pheonix measured 245 PAR prior to changing the bulbs.

The bulbs still haven't burned in I only changed them out last night, but I can already tell a major diff in PAR. I'm using 250 icecap electronic ballasts with 250w DE bulbs. I've switched the ballast to ensure there was no significant changes in output based on the ballast.

Reeflux 228 PAR
Pheonix 320 PAR

I plan to run it this way for atleast a few weeks to see how the corals respond. I'll keep you updated and post pictures soon.

 

[oceanparadise1]

Which one of the two do you prefer? its about time for me to grab some new ones

 

[bkv1997]

do u have a par meter and if so how much are they?

Yes our local reef club bought one... It was 230$, but that was almost 18 months ago.

 

[bkv1997]

Right now i'm leaning towards the pheonix. Its a tad bluer and also has 100 more PAR. That said I need to completely let the bulbs burn in to say for sure.

But i'm going to give it a few weeks to make sure.... The spectrum could make a bigger diff, so i'll have to wait and see.

I have a Pink Milli with Blue tips that I like to use to judge my bulbs currently after about 6 months the blue tips start to fade, so i'm going to see how it reacts to the reeflux.

If you can't wait a couple weeks to see how things turn out i'd deff go with the Pheonix i've been using them for two years and can't complain at all. Plus they are about 10$ cheaper each. Just my 2 cents.

 

[oceanparadise1]

Cool bro i can wait for about 2 more months so i think im going to wait for your results, im currently using a reflux 10k times 2 and 2x130 pcs its def more blue then yellow but i would like a lil more blue, but how much growth is going to be lost in a 10 vs 12 vs 14 k bulb? well i will wait and see what u come of b4 i buy an new bulb! thanks for the help!

 

[bkv1997]

I'll let you now if i notice a diff in growth, but my corals almost grow too fast as it is... they are always growing in to each other and stinging each other. I think you saw some of my tank shots in a post last week about water flow.

Let you know in a couple weeks.