drock59 Posted September 7, 2007 Share Posted September 7, 2007 So whats the word on best DE 250w bulbs these days? Ive been using Phoenix 14k for years and love the color. I have a Blue Wave Dual HQI ballast that I will be running these on. Im getting a bit tired of the phoenix bulbs as they seems to be real monotone in color. They have a nice blue color but I dont seem to get anything besides blue, like in some other bulbs. Ive heard the reeflux 12k is pretty good. Opinions please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DennisW Posted September 8, 2007 Share Posted September 8, 2007 If you want to try the Geisman MegaChrome 14.5K Coral bulb, I have two for sale. They have been in use for about 3 months and are just burned into a nice bright white. Not yellow and 128 par on the SLS blue wave ballast. Im actually going back to the Pheonix bulbs and will be pulling the megachromes tommorrow. $100 for both. Ive seen these bulbs up to $109 each at places. I got these for like $90 each not including shipping and they've only been in use since April. Dennis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drock59 Posted September 9, 2007 Author Share Posted September 9, 2007 Apparently I am the only one running DE bulbs these days? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
civicsit Posted September 9, 2007 Share Posted September 9, 2007 Apparently I am the only one running DE bulbs these days? I run a 250w DE, but I have liked my pheonix and haven't had it that long, so I haven't been able to try out any other bulbs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drock59 Posted September 9, 2007 Author Share Posted September 9, 2007 Ya, i like the phoenix but Im looking for something different. No question phoenix is a good bulb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael7979 Posted September 9, 2007 Share Posted September 9, 2007 I think, (Pacific Coast Imports, might be wrong), has put out a new DE bulb just recently. Might do some looking around to find something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reefdawg Posted September 9, 2007 Share Posted September 9, 2007 I think the 26% approval rating is a little high! I don't think there is that many ignorant people out there, that are hiding under a rock and don't know what is really going on!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drock59 Posted September 10, 2007 Author Share Posted September 10, 2007 I like you. ^ Mike thanks for the tip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blown65 Posted September 12, 2007 Share Posted September 12, 2007 I have the EVC 10ks. They are bright with a hint of yellow. (Actinics on dont notice it) EVC 14ks were way too blue for me. I'm still looking for the right bulb I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twitterbait Posted September 13, 2007 Share Posted September 13, 2007 I like my Ushio 150w 20k DE bulbs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drock59 Posted September 13, 2007 Author Share Posted September 13, 2007 Ushio 20k eh? Any idea on the PAR rating? Im looking for something with similar usable light for my corals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R-3 Posted September 14, 2007 Share Posted September 14, 2007 I just bought a used 150WDE Pendant and it came with several bulbs (7 ) Needless to say that it came with a USHIO 20K installed and I havent changed it. Seems to be a really nice bulb, at a really good price $65 on MD. Love the color and corals seem to perk up more. Later Ryan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drock59 Posted November 25, 2007 Author Share Posted November 25, 2007 Ok its getting down to crunch time. I need to order new bulbs soon. The finalists: 1. Phoenix 14k 2. Radium 20K 3. Reeflux 12k If you are running the 250w version of any of these let me know what you would go with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EasyNow Posted November 25, 2007 Share Posted November 25, 2007 I like my Ushio 150w 20k DE bulbs. Agreed, I am really happy with the quality of the light from the Ushio 250w 20k DE bulbs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EasyNow Posted November 25, 2007 Share Posted November 25, 2007 Ushio 20k eh? Any idea on the PAR rating? Im looking for something with similar usable light for my corals. Maybe this will help you figure out the specs on the Ushio lamps. http://www.ushio.com/products/petcare/aqualite.htm You will have to click on the specifications tab to get more detailed info. HTH EASY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drock59 Posted November 25, 2007 Author Share Posted November 25, 2007 The finalists: 1. Phoenix 14k 2. Radium 20K 3. Reeflux 12k The ushio may be good but its hard to find info on output. Im going with one of the three above. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reefgeek84 Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 The finalists: 1. Phoenix 14k 2. Radium 20K 3. Reeflux 12k The ushio may be good but its hard to find info on output. Im going with one of the three above. Drock... I ran the 250w DE Phoenix and I am currently running the 400w SE Reeflux 12k...I know they have a couple of differences and are not both 250w and DE, but I like the reeflux better...I am seeing better growth and I like the colors over all...The phoenix turned everything blue, I mean growth tips that started white ended up blue...it kind of stained everything...I feel like the reeflux shows of more natural color better... I have no idea if this helps...but if you have any more questions, just ask Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ocboat Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 The problem with the 12k Reeflux is that the PAR is very low in the 250w version. Not sure why the 400w 10k and 12k are almost the same PAR but not so with the 250w bulb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R-3 Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 I have used the Phoenix bulbs and love them. I also saw Dennis tank today which runs 2 250DE Phoenix bulbs on a Sunlight HQI ballast and 4 Superactinics VHOS and it looked great!! Later Ryan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blown65 Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 I got my Reeflux DE 12ks and I'm pretty happy with them. Def better coloration over my white EVC 10ks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drock59 Posted November 27, 2007 Author Share Posted November 27, 2007 Got any pics of the Reeflux? I am currently running two DE Phoenix 250's with 2 Vho Actinics. I like the look, but i have seen some other bulbs pop a lot better. Maybe I will just go with Phoenix bulbs. Anybody run 250 Radium? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EasyNow Posted November 27, 2007 Share Posted November 27, 2007 PAR values for Ushio 20K Ushio 20k eh? Any idea on the PAR rating? Im looking for something with similar usable light for my corals. drock59, Since you asked, I was a bit curious about this myself. Here is a link to a pdf with the appropriate information. I don't know if it is normally expressed this way but on this listing the PAR is expressed as PAR value/watt. For the Ushio 250w DE bulbs the values are as follows 250w 10K 56 250w 14K 56 250w 20K 26 For anyone a bit more savvy in this area does that mean that the overall PAR for the 250w 20K is 6500 (250w x 26)? I have an e-mail out to Ushio customer service, if they add anything useful I will add it here. Just wanted to update you on what I found out so far even though you have already gone another direction. The regional manager from Ushio USA emailed and was kind enough to call this afternoon he sent along the same pdf that is listed above. He also stated that par value does not necessarily increase in a linear fashion compared to wattage (old news probably). Apparently the architecture of the bulb and ballast combinations have something to do with it. Cyas, EASY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAVES Posted November 29, 2007 Share Posted November 29, 2007 Dan I sell a ton of 250w Radium, probably just as many as 400w. I recently setup a 180 with 3x 250w radium with Galaxy ballasts and T5 actinics, color looked great. No corals yet so I can say about coral color or growth. I do have some 250w radiums running in the store that have always done well for me. Are you considering going to SE? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drock59 Posted December 2, 2007 Author Share Posted December 2, 2007 Joel, I am considering going SE. As of now, i think there is a strong possibility that I may just go Phoenix again. I know they work and look decent. Maybe in a year, I will have done enough research to feel comfortable going with the Radiums. How is growth on the 250w Radium? How long are the bulbs lasting on the galaxy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAVES Posted December 2, 2007 Share Posted December 2, 2007 I just setup that tank. They put in corals a week ago. It will be a while before we know how they do. The down side is the customers are compleatly ignorant on reef tanks, so there has to be lots of learning along the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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