Another what bulb should I get thread...250w DE

[Meloco14]

Hi guys, I wanted some input on my next bulbs. For some background, I am using 2 250w DE pendants with icecap ballasts over my standard 55 gallon tank. So far I have used the regular CoralVue 20,000K and Hamilton 14,000K bulbs. I do not use any actinics, so I like having some blue in the bulbs. I like the color of the Hamiltons but might want to try something a bit brighter. I have heard good things about both the phoenix 14k and coralvue reeflux 10k. Anyone use these? I have heard the reeflux have much more PAR than other blueish bulbs. My lights are about 8 inches above the waterline, and I currently have a handful of SPS and one crocea clam. While I don't think I need more PAR I think it would be nice to speed up some growth. Anyway, if you have used the phoenix or reeflux and have any opinions on them I would like to hear about them. What I am looking for is a crisp look with mostly while with a little blue. I don't like any of the yellower looking bulbs. Thanks for the help.

 

[Len]

I've seen Reeflux and they really aren't vey blue IMO. They are a nice white color with a hint of blue .... a little more so then XMs. I really like the Phoenix/Aquaconnect 14K coloration. These are definitely bluish bulbs that don't sacrifice too much PAR.

 

[Anonymous]

I have the Phoeniz and I like the color.

As for growth I cant say since my tank is finally comign around.
_________________
BMW C1

 

[Anonymous]

I tried the Giessemann 14.5K. Not as blue as I expected. Now I have an XM 20000K and it's nice and blue. I'm happy with it. Those are the only two I've tried with this fixture.

 

[Meloco14]

Hmm, right now I think I am leaning towards the Phoenix. I have heard lots of good things about XM's, however back when I got these ballasts (about 2 yrs ago) I heard that the XM DE's don't work well on electronic ballasts. Has this changed, or was I misinformed? If XM's work well with icecaps then I will consider those as well. Thanks

 

[Anonymous]

I have not heard any problems with XMs and IceCap Ballasts. Maybe with a cheaper ballast.

 

[Anonymous]

I have the 250 XM 10k on a magnetic ballast and its what I would call "yellowish"

Not a nice light, although very bright.

 

[DapperDan]

My XM bulbs were very yellow also, switched to Ushio and now everything looks great!

DD

 

[Ben1]

I use a ushio 10k DE 250 and it is a nice clear white light, with actinics it would be perfect.

 

[Meloco14]

Hmm, yeah i've heard good things about ushios. Unfortunately at the moment I am using pendants and I really have no easy way of using actinics, so I am looking for a bulb with a bit of blue. Thanks for the replies everyone!

 

[pcragg]

I replaced my ushios with XMs. One bulb was bluish, the other was greenish. I returned the greenish one for a new bulb. Now they are both bluish and super bright. Perhaps a little quality control problem, but I will order XMs in the future.

 

[Anonymous]

What color temp on the XM's? I ran the XM 10kk on a coralvue electoronic ballast. I found it to be slightly yellow. Not noticeable when the actinics where on. I would like a more white bulb when I set up my next tank.

 

[pcragg]

My XMs are 10k. To me they look the same as the ushios, except a little brighter.

 

[Jimmy G]

Right now I am running 3 different 250W DE's over my 125. I've got an Aqualine 10K in the middle and a 14K Hamilton on one end and a 20K XM on the other.
The 10K is by far the brightest. since you're not running Actinics I'd suggest either 14K or 20K.I recently was running 3 20K XM's which was a very blue look which I liked but they were not very intense.
I think the 14K is a good alternative. I've read good things about the Phoenix 14K's also. HTH

 

[ChrisRD]

Ushio has just introduced a 250 watt DE 14K lamp. I haven't seen them in action yet, but you might want to look into them as well. Reefgeek has a comment about actinic supplementation being "recommended", so they may not be as blue as something like the Phoenix. I'm sure it varies with the ballast used...

Two places I've seen them for sale so far:
http://www.coralreefecosystems.com/ltg_bulbs-mh.asp
http://www.reefgeek.com/products/categories/lighting/104796.html

 

[EmilyB]

I love my Phoenix bulbs. My corals colored up immediately after a switch from 10k AB. They were a bit too blue on the burn in, but not for long.

 

[Anonymous]

Emily do you have a pic?

 

[DapperDan]

Someone told me that the XM 15K has a very poor PAR rating, has anyone else heard of this?

DD

 

[Anonymous]

Someone told me that the XM 15K has a very poor PAR rating, has anyone else heard of this?

DD

From Sanjay Joshi -
For a magnetic ballast the PPFD for the XM 15,000K is about 55.
For the XM 10,000K it's about 135.

Just for comparison purposes

 

[Anonymous]

Someone told me that the XM 15K has a very poor PAR rating, has anyone else heard of this?

DD

From Sanjay Joshi -
For a magnetic ballast the PPFD for the XM 15,000K is about 55.
For the XM 10,000K it's about 135.

Just for comparison purposes

Yikes, no XM 15kk for me. I'm being lazy how does the Phoenix rank?