MH light bulb question

[CoryDude]

Go with the Phoenix/Hexarc 14k bulb. I haven't haven't a better bulb yet.

[polarbear]

I'm thinking about it. I saw some videos online and I really like the color. Where do you get your lights from?

[CoryDude]

Take a look at post 302 on my tank's thread. I've been using those bulbs since I found them a few years back. They hold their color really well.

http://www.maast.org/showthread.php?...11-5-12/page31

[polarbear]

Is that the same bulb in all four pictures?

[CoryDude]

Yeah, I adjusted the white balance on the last pic. But, it's pretty true to the way it looks. I also use 4 vho actinics so my tank is a little overdriven on the blue spectrum. Plus, the last pic was taken about a week ago and I need to replace the mh bulbs as of about 2 months ago. The earlier pics were from when the bulbs were only about 1-3 months old.

I would honestly say that the phoenix bulbs are closer to a 12k bulb, where as most advertised 14k bulbs are actually closer to a 20k spectrum. As you already know, you get a really good look with 20k bulbs, but you sacrifice coral grown. You get excellent growth with a 10k bulb, but they look too yellow. The phoenix bulbs are just the right combination of growth potential and a nice blue tint.

[alton]

I saw the M80 for the ballast but I did not see if you mentioned SE or DE? I have a used 250w SE Radium lamp if you want to borrow it to try and see if you like the color? I order them through Elegant Reef. I would think Jason could get them too. I like Radium because of the color, growth, longevity, and the fact they don't lose there color. I had three lamps one was 20 months, one at 3 months, the other 8 months and you could not tell with a naked eye which was which. I change my lamps when they drop 10% in foot candles and PAR levels.

[polarbear]

Sorry. Mine are DE bulbs. Wish I could have tired the one you have though before buying new bulbs.

[Big_Pun]

i have ordered bulbs from these guys in the past and they even took the time and money to be at MACNA just to show there support for the hobby, there aquatic bulbs sales are a small part of what they do but they still showed up and where very helpful and informative. they had phoenix Hexarc new t5 bulb on display also

http://www.soslightbulbs.com/Aquariu...ent-Bulbs.aspx