best 250w de bulbs

[watson0720]

i am fixing to order some new bulbs for my tank, i am running 10k bulbs with electronic bulbs and really think there to yellow, was considering 14k's just wanting some feedback and see what everyone suggests? what does everyone else use? what should i buy?

[abe77901]

I always used the phoenix 14k in my 250watt mh fixture. They have an awesome blend.

[caferacermike]

Let the fighting begin.

I also second the Pheonix 14K. I've been running the same bulbs for about a year and a half with no color shift. I lowered them almost a foot about 6 months back to help prolong the life. They completely overpower the 200w of actinic power compacts that are on when they are. It actually gets a touch bluer.

If it's true that they are "cheap" industrial bulbs, sign me up for wherever I can buy them for $10 because it doesn't matter to me what they were made for, just that they work well.

[JimD]

How does lowering the bulb help prolong the life? Just wondering.

[Bill S]

Jim,

When the bulb is closer to the magnetic core of the earth, it helps keep the filament from vibrating as much, which is how these bulbs burn out.

Seriously, I think he's saying that he lowers them to concentrate the light more as they age.

Mike has a very nice tank with great growth and color. I'd certainly consider his suggestion.

I've JUST put in Helios bulbs in mine - I have 400w so I had to change to SE to do this. However, Helios DOES make a DE 250w bulb:

http://www.fragfarmer.com/250-watt-20K-Helios-DE-Metal-Halide-p-877.html

Here's what he has to say about Helios: "This bulb has the pop that you have been looking for. If you are looking for that extra edge, then look no further. We use these on our suystems and the corals love them. Acccording to Sanjay's test, these actuallly have more Par than radiums! I know of two top online coral sites that use them other than us, and they have the same if not better resultts than us too! You will not be dissappointed with the results."

What I CAN'T tell you about the Helios is whether or not I get good growth... They are 20Ks...

[JimD]

"it helps keep the filament from vibrating as much, which is how these bulbs burn out."

Halides have a filiment?

[Bill S]

Jim, Jim, Jim...

[tony]

split the difference and get the reeflux 12k, ive been running one for over a year and LOVE it

[brewercm]

I've been using the 14K Hamiltons and like them. From my understanding they are very similar in color as the Phoenix bulbs. I've also thought about trying out the 12K Coralvue Reeflux or 12.5K Megachrome next time around. If you happen to come down to the San Antonio area you are welcome to come check mine out to get an idea.

[JimD]

Jim, Jim, Jim...

Yes? lol

[caferacermike]

Say Jim have you been drinking and then logging on?

Yes I lowered them as they were about 16" above the water at my old home and everything looked great. Upon moving and needing to rehang them I made some changes to my fake canopy so that I could get them all the way down to about 4" above the water. If you read Sanjay's articles, which I know you do as a smart ***** (oops I mean smart) reefer, you'd already know his opinions an how long bulbs last and that he recommends lowering them to get the PAR levels back to where they were when the bulbs were new, if possible before just tossing and buying new.

You wanna go again?

[JimD]

Say Jim have you been drinking and then logging on?

Yes I lowered them as they were about 16" above the water at my old home and everything looked great. Upon moving and needing to rehang them I made some changes to my fake canopy so that I could get them all the way down to about 4" above the water. If you read Sanjay's articles, which I know you do as a smart ***** (oops I mean smart) reefer, you'd already know his opinions an how long bulbs last and that he recommends lowering them to get the PAR levels back to where they were when the bulbs were new, if possible before just tossing and buying new.

You wanna go again?

Go where? We went somewhere? Where'd we go? Huh? Im confused.

[tony]

also the sps 14k look really great too. if you check aquarium designs tank along the back wall to the extreme left they have the reeflux 12k and the sps 14k side by side and i believe jason told me he is a fan of the sps but dont quote me on that.

[Bill S]

I had Hamilton 14Ks before my Ushios. But, they were 400w, and in DE, it's just not fair to compare any results with DE 400w bulbs to anything else. (I've heard that they REALLY need to be driven by a 220v ballast).

[Bill S]

Dang it! I've had TWO sips of beer. I bought HELIOS, not Ushios! I'm a moron.

[captexas]

I recently put in a 250watt DE setup and went with the Coralvue 14k bulb. I'm not happy with it and will be changing to another bulb whenever funds allow for it.

[brewercm]

I had a Coralvue 14K next to a Hamilton before and didn't care for it either. It appeared to have much more blue than the Hamilton, almost thought they had mis-labeled a 20K or something.

[erikharrison]

I have run the SPS bulbs for about 6 months. The 20k looks just like the 12k to me. It has taken it months to even turn slightly more blue. Not sure about the PAR, but I think it's much less than other bulbs more than likely. I am going with the phoenix 14ks next go round.

[glennr1978]

pheonix 14k, don't bother with anything else.

[caferacermike]

So that's like a hundred votes for Pheonix now. I cannot fathom why some retailers are so loathe to sell them even though so many users love them.

Again I say, if they are cheap industrial bulbs show me where to buy them on the cheap.

[JimD]

Im not a huge fan of the Phoenix 14K, they seem to creat a mono-tonatic effect, meaning, IMO, theres not much color definition between similar shades of green and blues, the only reason I run one on my anemone tank is because I cant fit a Reeflux 10k and VHO actinics in the hood. YMMV

[matt]

I have a phoenix 14K with about 4 weeks on it; it's too much light for my shallow tank, so I switched to the ushio 20k. The phoenix is the only high par blue bulb I know of. I'd be willing to sell it. PM with an offer.

[caferacermike]

Im not a huge fan of the Phoenix 14K,

So uh that means you are not a huge fan but still a fan nonetheless?