Hog Head Posted March 30, 2011 Share Posted March 30, 2011 It's time for new bulbs. I was going to buy Ushio 14K's but then I read so many positive reviews about the Phoenix bulbs I am now leaning the other way. What is your opinion/preference? I have gotten good growth out of the Ushio 10K's but I am running out of room and I am ready to sacrifice a little growth for some color until the next tank upgrade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoobtoSalt Posted March 30, 2011 Share Posted March 30, 2011 Pheonix are the way to go. You get the best bang for your buck and the color is impresive. I was running the Ushio 10k and they were way too yellow for me. Great growth but the color was not even close to good enough for me. But on my new tank I'm running mogul so can't do pheonix anyways... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hog Head Posted March 30, 2011 Author Share Posted March 30, 2011 Are they blue enough to change from the Actinic+ to the Pure Actinic bulbs or mix the two? Two Actinic+, Two Pure Actinc and the Phoenix bulbs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRENT Posted March 31, 2011 Share Posted March 31, 2011 Not an answer to your question. But here is the best price I have found on Pheonix. Have used these guys twice with good results. JFYI http://www.soslightbulbs.com/phoenix-14k-250w-aquarium-lamp.aspx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OwenReefin Posted March 31, 2011 Share Posted March 31, 2011 The phoeonix's are really blue, with my two pure actinic pc's I went too much blue, gonna have to change up some bulbs soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grassi Posted March 31, 2011 Share Posted March 31, 2011 Phoenix here too. And Radiums on the other tank. Blue is the new yellow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hog Head Posted March 31, 2011 Author Share Posted March 31, 2011 With all the reviews I read and the few replies I got on here, I think I am going to try the Phoenix bulbs and stick with the Actinic+ for now. Later on if I want to mix some Pure Actinic in there I will. Thanks for the opinions and advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kilmca Posted March 31, 2011 Share Posted March 31, 2011 Ushio 14k are white with yellow tint in my experience, i tried them a few years back before i found phoenix bulbs. i run phoenix bulbs with no actinic supplements but i like the white with blue tint light they produce. i run them on icecap ballasts. they aren't very blue IMO. depending on what kind of ballast you run the color of the bulb might vary a little. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finch6013 Posted March 31, 2011 Share Posted March 31, 2011 A while back I ran pheonix 14k with blue actinics, and I would compare it to a radium on electronic ballast. I also ran my 14k's on an electronic ballast and felt they were white with a tint of blue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted March 31, 2011 Share Posted March 31, 2011 I like them both it depend what kind of corals you have in the tank and what color you want it to be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hog Head Posted April 1, 2011 Author Share Posted April 1, 2011 My tank is pretty much a mix of sps/lps and softies(mushrooms). Also, I am running Blue Wave Ballasts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Algae Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 You might want to try KZ Fiji Purple. Should bring back the pink/red that can be lost with a predominately blue light. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoobtoSalt Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 They run better on an electronic ballast. I had one of each and you could tell a difference in the colors My tank is pretty much a mix of sps/lps and softies(mushrooms). Also' date=' I am running Blue Wave Ballasts.[/quote'] Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spye Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 how come no 20k? is the higher the number the slower the growth but better color etc? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hog Head Posted April 10, 2011 Author Share Posted April 10, 2011 The new bulbs are in and they are nice. I can definately tell that there was alot of yellow in the Ushio 10k's now. This is a much softer bluer white light. Eveything looks better also. Even the fish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hog Head Posted April 10, 2011 Author Share Posted April 10, 2011 I might change ballasts some day but I have only been running these for a year now. I want to get a little mileage out of them. They run better on an electronic ballast. I had one of each and you could tell a difference in the colors Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hog Head Posted April 10, 2011 Author Share Posted April 10, 2011 Correct, 20k would give alot of blue and nice color but much slower growth. I ran 10k for about 14 months which gave alot of growth but alot of the colors were muted or washed out a little bit. how come no 20k? is the higher the number the slower the growth but better color etc? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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