Actinic or Phoenix

[aslmx]

Was thinking about adding actinic bulbs but was reading about people with Phoenix 14ks that look so good that they cut the actinics off. I will need new bulbs around april and was wondering instead of spending money on actinics should I just switch to Phoenix bulbs and go that route.

 

[Troylee]

Nothing compares to vhos if you do decide to go that route... Phoneix are nice but I still like to add supplements... What bulbs do you currently run?

 

[secretreefer]

i got 2x 14k phoenix 250w de giesemann neptune pro with 2 t5 giesemann actinic plus. i love the look~!

 

[aslmx]

Nothing compares to vhos if you do decide to go that route... Phoneix are nice but I still like to add supplements... What bulbs do you currently run?

Right now I have 250 watt 14k Plus rite.I know they are cheap but they have been working for me mainly with lps. I'm going to change to a "better" bulb next change to compare. I dont have a par meter but i,ve read that the plus rites are fine if you keep them changed every 6 months and thats what i've done and its been working so far.

 

[Troylee]

try a radium... or phoenix both great bulbs...

 

[JGoslee]

I'm a big fan of Phoenix 14k's. I run mine without actinics and really like the way they look.

 

[aslmx]

try a radium... or phoenix both great bulbs...

Will they last 12 months? Kinda new at this stuff, do the actinics help growth or are they just for looks? I really want to grow some sps but I want to spend money where it is needed most. So far I have a new skimmer, ro/di system, I'm doing the bulk reef supply two part and I have a bulk reef supply reactor coming this week. I know i've been skimping on the bulbs but I will correct that in april. I am tapped out right now. Any other secretes I need to know? All my readings are good except for nitrates they have been running around 20 but they are coming down with water changes and my new bubble magus is a crap sucking son of a gun, got them down to 10 and I hope the reactor will wipe the rest out. I have a 75g tank and a 30g sump. How many fish can I handle. I think i'm a little crowded but I like my fish but I know im gonna have to thin some out.,,,,if I can catch some. I have a wrasse and a coral beauty that are not going to go willingly.

 

[aslmx]

I'm a big fan of Phoenix 14k's. I run mine without actinics and really like the way they look.

any pics?

 

[OMG Corals]

Radium 20k or Phoenix 14k, both look good with actinic supplement. Plus you can have actinics on by themselves for the effect...

 

[Troylee]

Radiums will last 12 months easy and still give out great par!!!! Phoneix should also but never had any that long... For cheap bulbs I always went the xm route there nice also but the par sucks!!!!

 

[aslmx]

Cant believe this! I was cleaning my sump and moving the ballast to make room for my reactor and I've never really looked at the ballast, just knew it was a Hamilton. Well I now know that its a M58 probe start so I guess Radium or any thing else that needs electronic is out. Not only that but its only a 175 watt that I have been putting 250 watt bulbs in. My wife bought the whole system used and the guy installed it and I never realized it. Its been this way for 2 1/2 years. Do I change the whole $y$tem or will 175 watt bulbs be enough for a 75 gal tank? Whats the best M58 probe start bulbs ? I was thinking of going back with the Hamiltons.