Metal Halide lights

[msmith619]

I recently moved and lugged my 125 gallon aquarium with me. I decided the move was a good time to upgrade and bought a new, furtiture quality oak stand and am having a custom, matching oak canopy made to match it. The change in appearance is fantastic from my entry grade pine stand and canopy and I am very glad I did it.
I currently have a Coralife Aqualight Pro Metal Halide Aquarium Light Fixture, 3X150W HQI & 4X96W Compact Fluorescents, 72 inch and it has 3 10k MH bulbs in it that are probably old enough to need replacement. I have great coral growth and the color when all the lights are on it looks 'nice'. When the MH go off and only the actinics or moon lights are on, the colors "POP" and I would like to get that with the MH bulbs. Can anyone give experientce (send pictures) with 12k and 14k MH bulbs for color. I don't want a 'blue' tank and will stay away from 20k bulbs.
Thanks

[corruption]

a Phoenix 14k bulb has a lot of blue to it, without going to the 20k range in intensity.. Unfortunately, its one of those things thats completely subjective -- your tastes may differ from the next persons greatly.. Since you've got 3 fixtures, why not try 3 different spectrum bulbs? At worst, you'll find which out of a variety matches the color and blue intensity you're looking for, and at best, you'll find that you like the varying grades of color across the tank and it provides a different look that appeals to you :)

-Corruption

[Shu]

I have 10k in my 250w halides. I am getting the phoenix 14k's this Thursday so I will let you know. I have heard great reviews with price and color ratio.

[jeffro]

I have recently switched from a generic 14k bulb to a Phoenix 14k bulb and have really noticed a difference in coral growth and color. There is a blue tint, but in my opinion not overpowering. As Justin said though, everyone's tastes are different. It also may have been due to the cheap bulb that mine came with, as I was having an algae problem with it as well that has since gone away.

[Shu]

I have never installed DE bulbs are they hard to do. I also heard you cant touch the bulbs? Is there a guide or video somewhere?

[tony]

take a look at a coralvue 12k

[tony]

I have never installed DE bulbs are they hard to do. I also heard you cant touch the bulbs? Is there a guide or video somewhere?


it is really simple, similar to replacing these style fuses

http://alanrafter.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/led_fuse.jpg


also correct on not touching them, i just used a paper towel folded up

"Do not touch the surface of a quartz halogen bulb with
bare fingers, as the quartz surface will be exposed to
the salts and oils in the hand. This will cause a weak
area and lead to premature lamp failure. If you happen
to contact the bulb with your fingers, carefully clean
the quartz surface with a gentle solvent such as alchohol."

from teklight

"Do not touch the Halogen bulb surface or inside reflectors
with your bare hands. Oils from skin can lead to breakage
or shorten the life of the lamp. Use clean gloves or lint
free cloth for installation and removal."

from ushio

[Shu]

Can you use surgical rubber gloves I have some of them.

[tony]

i would imagine so, anything lint free that would protect it from the oils should work

[Bill S]

Welcome back, Tony!

Because rubber gloves sometimes have a poweder on them, I prefer a clean cotton towel. Also remember that DE bulbs MUSH have glass covers.

[ErikH]

Ushio makes a nice 10k bulb. :)

[tony]

Welcome back, Tony!



never really left, just moved to the back seat, but thanks!

sorry i never got back to you about the v1, i finally figured out why i cant find it, someone borrowed it. lol

[Shu]

I believe my rubber gloves are powder less

[Bill S]

never really left, just moved to the back seat, but thanks!

sorry i never got back to you about the v1, i finally figured out why i cant find it, someone borrowed it. lol

Sorry about hijacking a thread... Got a heck of a deal from V1 when I told them mine had been stolen. Great folks.

If your gloves are powderless, that would be a great way to install them.

[msmith619]

OK, I look at all the helpfull suggestions here and did a lot of web searching, looking at tank pictures under the different types of lights. I think I am gonna try 3 Phoenix 150 watt 14k MH lamps. Lots of great reviews.

[txav8r]

If you find a place that gives discounts for quantity, I'm in for 1 or 2. I want 20k though.

[Shu]

Me to I am in for 2 was going to order thursday from marine depot. Anyone know of a place that has a better price for the phoenix 14k 250w

[ErikH]

The phoenix are pretty blue!

[msmith619]

On sale now! At Marine Depot, $49.99 for 150 watt, $59.99 for 250 watt.
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem.aspx?category=150_Watt_14000K_Metal_Ha lide_Bulb_Phoenix_Double_Ended_150_Watt_Double_End ed_Metal_Halide_Light_Bulbs&vendor=Phoenix&idProduct=MB2664&IdCategory=FILTBUMHDEHW&child=MB2664&tab=4&size=150%20watt (http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem.aspx?category=150_Watt_14000K_Metal_Ha lide_Bulb_Phoenix_Double_Ended_150_Watt_Double_End ed_Metal_Halide_Light_Bulbs&vendor=Phoenix&idProduct=MB2664&IdCategory=FILTBUMHDEHW&child=MB2664&tab=4&size=150%20watt)
Best price I found thru Google and Bing.
Oops, also found this site:
SOS lights, Phoenix 14000k 150 watt $47.99, 250 watt $49.99
http://www.soslightbulbs.com/search.aspx?find=phoenix+14000k
(The Ushio's looked too yellow spectrum for me)

[ErikH]

Shu DE or SE?
DE : http://www.hellolights.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=815
SE : couldn't find on hellolights.

Hellolights has a pretty good selection.

AS I ALWAYS POST:
www.manhattanreefs.com/lighting

READ THE FAQ there after you search for your bulb and ballast combo. You will be AMAZED. The more PPFD the better!

[Shu]

These bulbs will work on my ballast right. I have the coralview 250 ballasts

[ErikH]

single or double ended bulbs? Are they the mogul "screw in" type or do your pendants have the UV shield?

[TexasTodd]

You should look at going 250w instead of 150w. 250's open up more options for your tank.

Todd

[Shu]

Mine are double ended. Not sure what you mean by uv filter. It has a clear cover over the pendants.

[ErikH]

Mine are double ended. Not sure what you mean by uv filter. It has a clear cover over the pendants.


Oh man, just look up DE or HQI Bulbs. The others are SingleEnded "SE". The clear cover is UV treated Glass. If you break it, you need to get the exact same glass or you could end up with a bunch o dead corals.

[ErikH]

Shu you should go read that link I posted above. The FAQ section describes what each section in the spectral plot means.

[Shu]

Yeah I have read it. Just was wandering if my ballast works with the DE phoenix bulbs. I was pretty sure that was the UV filter.

Im pretty sure they will.

[ErikH]

Oh they will. :) They are very blue, the best blue I have seen yet.

[Shu]

well I am ordering some tomorrow

[los.tejanos83]

Marine Depot removes the "special handling" fee of $20 when you order 6 or more bulbs.

[los.tejanos83]

Oops, my bad, the previous post was for VHO lamps. what a tool :applause: