hate to do it, bulbs.

[caferacermike]

Upgrading my fixture from 150w hqi to 250w hqi.

Looking at 10-14k for growth. Growth is my main concern for SPS and LPS.

bulbs for consideration are
XM
Pheonix
Aqualine
Hamilton

I've heard great things about Pheonix. Some say greta growth and color. good price.

I've heard seriously mixed baggage about XM, some say that the color is good but doesn't stimulate growth. Want to hear more as XM has great hype.

Hamilton seems to be an old standby, industry workhorse.

Comments suggestions. I want to hear them all.

[TexasTodd]

Pheonix.

TT

[hobogato]

used a hamilton 10k DE on my frag tank, and really liked the color - some growth. have coralvue 14k SE on my display for the look, and run cv reeflux 10k DE only four hours a day for growth. i have heard great things about the pheonix 14k (or maybe it was a 13k, dont remember). when my 10k bulbs need to be replaced, i will wither go with the pheonix or cv reeflux 12k.

[OldSalty]

Who sells the pheonix, I have XM 10k but it's time to replace them

[hammondegge]

http://www.innovativelights.com/index.html

good prices

[OldSalty]

They don't have any pheonix bulbs in mougl >_<

[caferacermike]

Rob thanks for the link. I am buying from hellolights as their bulb prices are the same but the reflectors from hellolights come with the sockets and cord for the same price. I'd save about $50.

I have decided upon Pheonix unless some last minute reviews come in.

[hammondegge]

They don't have any pheonix bulbs in mougl >_<

no, only HQI. i think my favorite mogul has been reeflux.

www.hellolights.com is another excellent seller

www.coralreefbazaar.com for reeflux

[scuba_steveo]

ESV is pretty good too!

It's about time you upgrade your lights! lol j/k

How are all the frags doing?

[caferacermike]

They are well. Most have begun to polyp some only polyp for short periods. Older Acros are doing well so I think they should all come into their prime soon.

Steve you are the reason I' m dumping $500 on retrofitting my fixture to 2x 250w. We will need to get together again after I build my new system. I'm ordering toomorrow after work and would expect them towards the end of next week. I figure It'll take about a day to do. I'll be heading to the metal shop to get a new pice of aliminum for the center area as it was drilled and had moonlights, the piece won't look right when I'm done. I'll also be needing 2 pieces of glass that will fit my fixture as they will be much longer. I'm changing from 6"x6" reflectors with 150W HQI 20k's to 12"x6" ultra reflective reflectors with 250w 14K Pheonix units being powered by 2 Icecap 250 ballasts. Along with 2x 96w 48" actinics front and back on my 75g.

Can anyone tell me if the shields must be TEMPERED? I've read conflicting reports that all glass reflects UV radiation. I hope it won't need to be tempered as I've heard that the glass will be cut in Austin and tempered in Houston, that could take at least a week.