MH bulb preference

dodger745 · Apr 21, 2014

What do you use if you have halides? I'm running 250w 20k. It's time to change bulbs so I'm seeing what opinions are out there

Tennsquire · Apr 21, 2014

I ran AB 10Ks for years (althought they're supposedly more like 13-14K), but they're butt expensive. I've had Pheonix 14ks on an old frag tank, and am switching over to them at my next bulb change (which will be soon).

dodger745 · Apr 21, 2014

Tennsquire said:
I ran AB 10Ks for years (althought they're supposedly more like 13-14K), but they're butt expensive. I've had Pheonix 14ks on an old frag tank, and am switching over to them at my next bulb change (which will be soon).

Yeah I've heard lots about the phoenix bulbs. Any experience with xm bulbs?

Rob.D · Apr 21, 2014

When I ran MH my bulb of choice was the Phoenix.

fishdoc11 · Apr 21, 2014

SE or DE and what type of ballast are you driving them with?

dodger745 · Apr 21, 2014

DE hqi. It's an aquamedic fixture.

Dowtish · Apr 21, 2014

Phoenix are a good option at 14k.

bknapp · Apr 21, 2014

I've ran both the XM 15K and Phoenix 14K and liked them both. I've got an old (used around 7 months) XM 15K DE you can try out if you'd like before you purchase, you could also look at my tank that is running the Phoenix 14K right now.

dodger745 · Apr 22, 2014

bknapp said:
I've ran both the XM 15K and Phoenix 14K and liked them both. I've got an old (used around 7 months) XM 15K DE you can try out if you'd like before you purchase, you could also look at my tank that is running the Phoenix 14K right now.

Cool deal! I have the aquamedic aqualine 20k right now and I don't use any actinic when the halides are on. I like the colors but I just can't spend $140 per bulb! Lol

Dowtish · Apr 22, 2014

Are you kidding me? is that really what they cost per bulb?

dodger745 · Apr 22, 2014

Dowtish said:
Are you kidding me? is that really what they cost per bulb?

Everything I've seen yes. Lol I bought my fixture used and it had those bulbs in it already. They need to be changed so I've been trying to make a decision. I have no clue why the aqualine bulbs are so much

fishdoc11 · Apr 22, 2014

I have never run DE personally but from what I have seen Phoenix 14 K would be my choice as well. Looks like they are $50 each at Premium Aquatics.

vetteman · Apr 22, 2014

Dowtish said:
Phoenix are a good option at 14k.

What I'm using... Only 150 W

dodger745 · Apr 22, 2014

vetteman said:
What I'm using... Only 150 W

Do you find that even with the 14k you still get a blue look to your tank?

solar · Apr 23, 2014

I loved the phoenix 14k bulb on my old tank. It was a good balance of blue and white.
Im actually thinking about selling my leds and going mh/t5

Dowtish · Apr 23, 2014

I personally would have to run some blue T5's with 14k MH to get it to the color I like.

dodger745 · Apr 23, 2014

Dowtish said:
I personally would have to run some blue T5's with 14k MH to get it to the color I like.

Kinda what my thoughts were. That's why I like the 20k. That way I don't have my actinics on at the same time as the main lights. Saves a small amount of energy. Lately I've done everything I can energy wise to try and get my electric bill back to normal lol