DE 250w Bulb Advice

[mior6485]

I have a 200gal mixed BB with three 250W DE Icecap Pendants on Icecap ballasts. I've been using Pheonix 14K for the last two years. I am happy with the color but not the growth. I'm up for new bulbs and according to Sanjay's combination chart, The top three bulbs with the highest PPFD are the EVC 10k, XDE 10K and the Geisman 12.5k. My goal is coral growth so I'm thinking I need something with a higher output than the 73 PPFD Pheonix provides. Any suggestions would greatly be appreciated.

 

[House of Laughter]

Ushio 10k if you're looking for growth. The14k will be a little better than the phoenix bulbs, but the blue won't be there

House

 

[mior6485]

HoL,

I actually started my reef with 10K Ushio and I did see growth but I think that the color is too white. I may go with them if I cant find a bluer buld with the same growth results. Is the geisman 12.5K that median?

thanks

Louis

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

I really like the way the phoenix 14k looked and the results I had with it were great.

 

[prattreef]

I use and love the Ushio 14K also with IC pendants and ballasts. Not as blue as the Phoenix ( for some not blue enough) and not as white as the 10K. They are virtually identical to the Giesmann 12K lamps and a lot cheaper too. If you were to ask Sanjay what lamp to use after he deftly avoided the question for awhile he would tell you off the record he would use the Ushio 14K :wink:

These images are pretty faithful to the real color of my tank with this setup:

http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/reefs-magazine/52126-tank-season-randy-donowitz.html

If you do go with the Ushio, give them a few weeks to burn in. They have a bit of a greenish cast at first.

 

[steveo32]

Randy does that tank have any supplement lighting or just the Mh's

 

[prattreef]

Just MH.

 

[House of Laughter]

Louis,

I think that color and par sometimes go hand in hand - so, if you want growth, go white - if you want color, use blue

JMO

House

HoL,

I actually started my reef with 10K Ushio and I did see growth but I think that the color is too white. I may go with them if I cant find a bluer buld with the same growth results. Is the geisman 12.5K that median?

thanks

Louis

 

[mior6485]

Thanks for the advice. Based on my experience with the Ushio's and your comments, I went ahead and purchased the Ushio 14k. thansk again for your help

 

[prattreef]

Thanks for the advice. Based on my experience with the Ushio's and your comments, I went ahead and purchased the Ushio 14k. thansk again for your help

Do let us know how you like them.