Need help picking iut DE bulb

[kris]

Need help picking out DE bulb

It's time to replace my 250 Phoenix De bulb. Looking for something with a little more par in a 10K. I'll be adding a set of T5 actinics. Anyone have experiences with XM,Ushio, Reeflux or others. Bulbs are being driven with an sls HQI ballast. Thanks.

 

[kris]

Anybody?

 

[prattreef]

I just switched from Phoenix to the Ushio 14k's and they are Much whiter and brighter and I really like them. They are very close to a 10K and have just a hint of yellow( might burn off). They would look fantastic with a touch of actinic supplementation. The reeflux 10K's are nice too.

Randy

 

[kris]

Thanks Randy. Jim sent me a pic. How would you compare the Phoenix and Ushio to the Reeflux?

 

[prattreef]

First of all I run Icecaps. The Phoenix is very pretty but quite blue more like a 20K with good par. The Ushio is more like a standard 10K but a little whiter and ALOT brighter than the Phoenix. The Reeflux 10K has a touch of a pink cast that bothers some, but makes blues on SPS pop in a way no other lamp does. I'd say the Ushio has more PAR.

 

[jackson6745]

IME

DE XM 10k suck...too yellow
DE Reeflux suck....too pink
DE 10k Ushio are nice but need a lot of actinic supplement
DE 14k Ushio on HQI ballast look almost like the 10k. This bulb looks great on an IC ballast t hough (blue white).

I tried all these bulbs and my favorite combo is the BLV/Ushio 10k with a lot of actinics (at least 3 t5's or VHO's)

 

[jackson6745]

IMO, with your ballast, the Phoenix was a good choice.

 

[kris]

Thanks Rich. What does the Reeflux DE look like on HQI? I've seen the 400 and 250 on electronic. I'm not unhappy with the Phoenix. Since I'm adding actinics I was looking for a whiter bulb. Ken

 

[prattreef]

Oops I agree I forgot we were talking about DE--- The Reeflux DE lamps are really bad. The SE is quite nice. I'd go with either the Ushio 14K. or the Ushio/BLV lamp that Rich suggested.

 

[jackson6745]

Kris all the reeflux info you want is here
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=622727&highlight=DE+reeflux+10k

 

[prattreef]

Kris,
Ellebelle just posted some pics on the Prattreef tank thread with the Ushio lamps. The color is very accurate I would say.

 

[kris]

Beautiful! That might be the one.

 

[kris]

Rich and Randy thanks for the input/advice. I just ordered a set of the Ushio 14K's from Russ. Randy: what photo period would you suggest. Currently running 7 hrs. on the Phoenix. Rich: what supplementation would you suggest? I have an IC 660 and vho lying around as well as a pair of T-5's on order. Thanks K

 

[Manny]

this is fun to play with...
http://chrismorris.ca/250wcolour/Colourtest2.swf

 

[kris]

Manny, great tool. Unfortunately the bulbs I was considering are not on there.

 

[jackson6745]

Kris, your photoperiod depends on your nutrient level (this is a whole different thread) I suggest sticking with the norm of about 6hrs MH and 10-12 actinic.

For actinics I would use 3 URI VHO's Most guys use T5's these days but the color is different from the VHO. EIther way I would use 3-4 actinic tubes either t5 or VHO. Less actinics would work and so would no actinics but if you are after the crazy colors like most SPS guys 3-4 actinics really bring out the colors. The Ushio 14k's will look just like a 10k on your ballast.

 

[kris]

Thanks Rich. I have some vho's and ordered new T'5s as well. I think I'm on the right track. Can you direct me to the nutrient- photoperiod thread? NO3 is good, not sure abut PO4? I'm Switching from zeo back to a traditional setup(whole other thread) K