Best T-5 and MH bulb?

[marki24]

Ok I need to replace my bulbs. I have 4 T-5 bulbs and two MH bulbs and I need someoe to recommend me the best bulbs. I was thinking of going with the pheonix MH bulbs what do you think?

 

[Ziggy]

I love my 250W Pheonix 14.000k

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

I love the phoenix 14k DE bulbs. Lots of people like Giesemann bulbs as well for the T5 but I have not tried them since they don't make an 18" bulb.

 

[marki24]

Thanks for the input. I was thinking the same about the phoenix 14k bulb as well. But want to give the tank some kind of actinic look with some nice actinic bulbs.

 

[marki24]

OK this is what I was thinking about let me know what you think

14,000K Hamilton HQI Double-Ended - 150W

36" (HO,T5) Super Actinic R 39W - UV Lightining

39W 12000K Aquablue Special T5 HO Fluorescent ATI

 

[masterswimmer]

Phoenix for the metal halides.
Your selection for T5's are fine.

swimmer

 

[marki24]

Thanks

 

[mr_X]

i think it would depend on the ballast and what look you are trying to achieve. i didn't like the look of the phoenix lamps in an aqua medic ballast. i thought they were too blue and didn't give off enough PAR.
i didn't use a PAR meter, but zoas that were about 15 inches from the bulb were stretched way outward towards the light. they were over an inch tall. also, some basic green palys started to brown out.
i changed to ushio 14k, which appears to have alot less blue, and the color came back and the new zoas grew shorter.
i've used hamilton SE lamps before and found them to be pretty decent, but i happen to like the ushio lamps alot better.
as for the actinics, i wouldn't use the aquablue special for anything other than a daylight bulb.
the UVL lamp is good.

 

[BaNDiTo_RoX]

This is my combo which Grim from RC recommended

ATI Actinic
ATI Blue +
Radium 20k or the EVC 20k which is the Helios Re branded
KZ New Gen or ATI AquaBlue Special
ATI Blue +

All these bulbs gives the highest Pars and the colors and growth are great.

 

[juice44]

Reeflux 12k
ATI Blue+
KZ Figi Purple