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.