HQI bulb recomendations.

[S!mon]

Its time to replace my 150w HQI and was wondering if anyone has any ideas of what manufacturer to go with. I've used coralife in the past and I'm somewhat pleased, but I'm thinking of a 150w 10,000K Ushio with 130w atinic. Thanks guys.

 

[camaroracer214]

phoenix 14k bulbs are awesome.

 

[ChrisRD]

A lot of people like the Radium 150 DE lamp as well if you're into the blue look, but they are pricey.

If you want something less blue than the Radium or the Phoenix check into the Iwasaki 50K (the rating is misleading). It's got good PAR, it's not overly blue and has more of an "actinic" type look IMO.

For something whiter, personally I'd stick with more of a true 10K than the Ushio (which is less than 10K). The Ushio 14Ks are probably closer to a true 10K lamp than the 10K is and sometimes you can actually find them cheaper than the 10K version. The AB (Aqualine) and BLV 10Ks are also nice - true 10K (white, not yellow) but can be pricey.

Some good prices on 150 DEs at these places:
http://www.coralreefecosystems.com/ltg_bulbs-mh.asp
http://www.hellolights.com/index.asp?Pa ... tegory=437

HTH

 

[S!mon]

So should Ushio bulbs be avoided?

 

[ChrisRD]

Not saying to avoid Ushio - just saying if you want something that's truly a 10K look, consider the Ushio 14K.

 

[S!mon]

Thanks Chris. These places you recomended are going to save me almost $20 for a bulb anyway.

 

[cmm1970austin]

I just installed Geismann 14000K "Coral" double ended bulbs over my tank. It was a really nice upgrade from the 10k's I have been running. The color rendition is absolutely fabulous. Not cheap, but really nice.

 

[Anonymous]

i'm switching from phoenix 14kk's to ushio's i don't have actinics on during the day.

B

 

[S!mon]

So do you like the 14k Ushios? I ordered a 10k bulb but I'm thinking this will be too yellow (I do run atinics with the 150HQI).