MH Bulb Suggestions

ruppertb · Oct 17, 2011

Just a quick easy question. I currently have 250w Pheonix 14k and I would like a tad bit more bluer look, but xm 20ks are way to blue. Any recomendations for something in the middle. Radiums?

Reef Pets · Oct 17, 2011

Radium 20K. By far my favorite bulb.

ruppertb · Oct 17, 2011

And those wont be as blue as the xm's? I have tried all that i could through fosters, because I live close enough to them to be able to return it if I dont like the color. But they dont carry radiums.

soccerbag · Oct 17, 2011

Most 20K bulbs are going to be in the blue(er) spectrum. If you are looking for a bit more blue, I would add a couple of Blue+ or Super Actinic T5's. If you don't want to add that equipment, I would say just stick with the 14K. The Radiums are nice (what I run). They are a similar color to the XM's (also fantastic bulbs). You could also add a Blue LED strip as well to balance the color to your liking.

ruppertb · Oct 17, 2011

I run the 2 250s on the back 2/3 and then 4 powercompacts just for act during MH off time. I also have a blue stunner on at all light cycles and it make the 14k pheonix a bit more blue but the tank looks kinda funny because the 14k's are in the back 2/3 and then the other 1/3 is bluer from the stunner. I guess I should just move the hallides more over the tank and put another stunner on the other side so that it is a bit more balanced

soccerbag · Oct 17, 2011

That may be the easier solution as at least your corals will not have to adjust to a different strength of halide bulbs.

_sludgefactory · Oct 17, 2011

Do u have any pics with your 14k Phoenix? Marine depot has them on sale and i'm about due. I have a 14k coralvue that came with my lumen bright right now.

Sent from my LG-P999 using Tapatalk

ruppertb · Oct 17, 2011

i will have to try that later then, the compact fixture just takes up so much tank space, but I want it for the act. and something to mount my stunner to.