Looking for slightly warmer MH than Phoenix 14K

[Tapio]

As the title says I am looking for a slightly warmer double ended MH bulb than 250 W Phoenix 14K. I am using XHO Blue Reef Brite strips in addition. I have tried Reef Brite 250 W 10K but it was too warm for me. So something in between.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Hey Tapio!

Any suggestions? @jda @Dana Riddle @Centerline @mtraylor @DSC reef

 

[jda]

I do not know if you can find them anymore, but AB 13k is in the middle. Hamilton 10k is a bit more blue than most 10k bulbs.

Giesemann Megachrome Marine is a 12k bulb that is current and available. I have never used one, so no idea how it compares to the Phoenix.

Hope this helps a bit.

 

[Potatohead]

Ushio 10k?

 

[DSC reef]

I think the Hamilton 10k would be a good alternative.

 

[Tapio]

Hey Tapio!

Any suggestions? @jda @Dana Riddle @Centerline @mtraylor @DSC reef

Hey Jason, how are you?

 

[Tapio]

I think the Hamilton 10k would be a good alternative.

I have a Hamilton 14K I just got from a friend. That one is probably as blue as the Phoenix then?

 

[DSC reef]

I have a Hamilton 14K I just got from a friend. That one is probably as blue as the Phoenix then?

IMO a little bluer, I find the Phoenix a bit crisper and whiter. I run the Hamilton 20k at the moment. Try putting the Hamilton next to the Phoenix and compare them.

 

[Centerline]

I would look at the Mega Chrome 12k our the Ushio. The Mega Chrome is CRISP. If you cant find them locally you can on BRS or ebay.

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/megachrome-marine-12500k-giesemann.html

https://www.ebay.com/itm/12k-Giesem...al-Halide-Bulb-Great-for-Growth-/282240094638

 

[Tapio]

IMO a little bluer, I find the Phoenix a bit crisper and whiter. I run the Hamilton 20k at the moment. Try putting the Hamilton next to the Phoenix and compare them.

Thanks, yes I will do that. There is nothing wrong with the Phoenix it's just that in combination with the Blue Reef Brites the overall light is a bit too blue for me.

 

[DSC reef]

Thanks, yes I will do that. There is nothing wrong with the Phoenix it's just that in combination with the Blue Reef Brites the overall light is a bit too blue for me.

That's a nice combination! Gotta like what your staring at right.

 

[mtraylor]

Ushio 10k?

Ushio 10k bulb is lovely. Used them for several years. You will probably like it.

 

[mcarroll]

There is nothing wrong with the Phoenix it's just that in combination with the Blue Reef Brites the overall light is a bit too blue for me.

Given that, why not decommission the added blue rather than changing the main bulb that you already like?

 

[mcarroll]

BTW, here's the Ushio Spec Sheet for their Aqualite series and a sample from it:

 

[Tapio]

Given that, why not decommission the added blue rather than changing the main bulb that you already like?

Good question, but I also like the fluorescence the XHO gives and simulates the old school T12 VHO Actinics we used to have. Those actinics are still sold and I would love to use them but there are no decent looking fixtures in which to add them over a Euro braced tank with a suspended light.

 

[Tapio]

The RB provides a sheen that the MH alone can't do. The RB is also good for early and late night light.

 

[mcarroll]

Seems like overkill for moonlighting, not that it's a problem. But is the added sheen worth it if you think the overall colors are thrown off enough to think about a new main bulb? Maybe you need smaller blue strips?

I dunno if you have good options for putting your hand on new halide bulbs, but I'd suggest trying some (more?) phoenix replacements vs flooding the tank in so much blue using secondary lights.

Honestly the way the blue spectrum in the Usio's is built it seems like they might be a shoo-in.

Here's the Phoenix vs the Ushio 14K (note the scale differences)

Your phoenix has much weaker blue representation thanks to that monumental spike at 450nm drowning everything else out.

Compare with the 20K Ushio:

Still has a much better blue with a nice Actinic 03 spike.....

 

[Tapio]

Seems like overkill for moonlighting, not that it's a problem. But is the added sheen worth it if you think the overall colors are thrown off enough to think about a new main bulb? Maybe you need smaller blue strips?

I dunno if you have good options for putting your hand on new halide bulbs, but I'd suggest trying some (more?) phoenix replacements vs flooding the tank in so much blue using secondary lights.

Honestly the way the blue spectrum in the Usio's is built it seems like they might be a shoo-in.

I ordered an Ushio 10K to try. Seems like the Ushio 14K would still be too blue together with the RB since my goal is to warm up the combined spectrum a bit. I guess I will see in a few days time. The RB is so intense that it can grow coral by itself. I did not mean that I use it for moonlighting. Only for dawn and dusk when the MH is not on. Yes I like the RB so much that I see no problem switching MH to a slightly warmer one. If I don't find any that I like I will continue to use the Phoenix.

 

[mcarroll]

Good plan!!

Definitely let us know what you think of the new bulb!!

 

[jda]

Whomever said "crisp" about the Ushio 10k is spot-on. Not sure if would describe it as "warm," but it is definitely not as blue as a 14k Phoenix... so that is probably warmer to some people.