Phoenix 14k gone

bknapp · Feb 20, 2015

I'm at the point where I need to change out my three 250 watt DE bulbs on HQI ballasts. I've been using Phoenix 14k since I started running halides. What do you SPS nuts suggest to run? I'm running a mixed reef heavy SPS. I also have eight T5s (4-54 watt and 4-80) along with 18 Cree Blue LEDs.

Thanks all.

Funbags · Feb 20, 2015

20k radiums.

bknapp · Feb 20, 2015

Funbags said:
20k radiums.

I would if they made a DE bulb.

LILBUDDHA · Feb 20, 2015

I would try the Aquamaxx 14k 250 de bulb . I don't know when you need to replace the bulbs but it's best to catch them on sale .It's similar to a radium . MD usually carries it.

Feature Article: Spectral Analysis of Metal Halide Lamps: AquaMaxx 14000K Series ? Advanced Aquarist | Aquarist Magazine and Blog

bknapp · Feb 20, 2015

LILBUDDHA said:
I would try the Aquamaxx 14k 250 de bulb . I don't know when you need to replace the bulbs but it's best to catch them on sale .It's similar to a radium . MD usually carries it.

Feature Article: Spectral Analysis of Metal Halide Lamps: AquaMaxx 14000K Series ? Advanced Aquarist | Aquarist Magazine and Blog

Intriguing. Thanks.

hybridazn · Feb 20, 2015

LILBUDDHA said:
I would try the Aquamaxx 14k 250 de bulb . I don't know when you need to replace the bulbs but it's best to catch them on sale .It's similar to a radium . MD usually carries it.

Feature Article: Spectral Analysis of Metal Halide Lamps: AquaMaxx 14000K Series ? Advanced Aquarist | Aquarist Magazine and Blog

It's a good bulb, But the comparison was to a radium because they are usually considered the bulb to run. According to the article the 400w aquamaxx was close to the radium But that's it. The 250w mogul was blown away by the radium. I believe it said the aquamaxx is 19% less efficient than the radium

But that's neither here nor there. For a de bulb the Phoenix 14k is a great bulb. And from the chart the EVC is also superior to the aquamaxx.

I would stick to the Phoenix or try the evc.

bknapp · Feb 20, 2015

hybridazn said:
It's a good bulb, But the comparison was to a radium because they are usually considered the bulb to run. According to the article the 400w aquamaxx was close to the radium But that's it. The 250w mogul was blown away by the radium. I believe it said the aquamaxx is 19% less efficient than the radium

But that's neither here nor there. For a de bulb the Phoenix 14k is a great bulb. And from the chart the EVC is also superior to the aquamaxx.

I would stick to the Phoenix or try the evc.

I want to run the Phoenix but they've discontinued the 250 watt bulbs, and I can't find anywhere who had three in stock. Why didn't they ever make a DE 250 Radium?

LILBUDDHA · Feb 20, 2015

hybridazn said:
It's a good bulb, But the comparison was to a radium because they are usually considered the bulb to run. According to the article the 400w aquamaxx was close to the radium But that's it. The 250w mogul was blown away by the radium. I believe it said the aquamaxx is 19% less efficient than the radium

But that's neither here nor there. For a de bulb the Phoenix 14k is a great bulb. And from the chart the EVC is also superior to the aquamaxx.

I would stick to the Phoenix or try the evc.

I was under the impression the EVC bulb is the same as the Helios but neither exist anymore . EVC was Chad B the owner of Reef Science .
I can't remember but the 19% difference is because that's a 400 watt radium spectral chart .

hybridazn · Feb 20, 2015

bknapp said:
I want to run the Phoenix but they've discontinued the 250 watt bulbs, and I can't find anywhere who had three in stock. Why didn't they ever make a DE 250 Radium?

Lol not sure either on the de radium. I recommend ditching the de fixture and get a mogul. Just find a reflector and pick up a mogul at any local light supply store for $20 and your set to run a radium with a proper ballast.

LILBUDDHA said:
I was under the impression the EVC bulb is the same as the Helios but neither exist anymore . EVC was Chad the owner of Reef Science .
I can't remember but the 19% difference is because that's a 400 watt radium .

The 250w aquamaxx was compared to a 250w radium, so the 19% difference is accurate. The 250w radium bulb is just insane. The 400w radium and aquamaxx were very close together which is nice because the 400w radium is pretty expensive.

LILBUDDHA · Feb 20, 2015

bknapp said:
I want to run the Phoenix but they've discontinued the 250 watt bulbs, and I can't find anywhere who had three in stock. Why didn't they ever make a DE 250 Radium?

Yeah ,a 250 radium de bulb was never made . It's getting weird out there with the MH bulbs . One after the other is slowly coming off the market .
I did like the Hamilton 14k de bulb too but it lasted way to short a time before it shifted . Like 6 months .Another bulb I liked was the reeflux 12k bulb until they reminded me of Primo beer . Talk about color shifts . CV always replaced them though . U could try that one for 45.00 a pop from PA but like i said be prepared to contact Coralvue . My last Helios came from Your Reef and that was several years ago.
A buddy and I talked about this the other day . He said he was going to start stock piling 400 watt radium bulbs . We wondered where MH will be in 3 years .

bknapp · Feb 20, 2015

I've heard good things about the Reeflux 12k from a local.

I'm looking hard into the Aquamaxx bulbs.

I really don't want to change up the bulb type and move away from my fixture, which is why I've never changed to mogul base.

Someone is going to have to make halide bulbs, there is still a market, although it's obviously not the market for them as there was ten years ago.

DFW · Feb 20, 2015

bknapp said:
I've heard good things about the Reeflux 12k from a local.

I'm looking hard into the Aquamaxx bulbs.

I really don't want to change up the bulb type and move away from my fixture, which is why I've never changed to mogul base.

Someone is going to have to make halide bulbs, there is still a market, although it's obviously not the market for them as there was ten years ago.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=23499

http://www.amazon.com/Phoenix-Electric-Company-Aquarium-250-watt/dp/B003JNYD62

http://premiumaquatics.com/products/14k-250w-de-phoenix-halide-bulb.html

bknapp · Feb 20, 2015

DFW said:
http://www.amazon.com/Phoenix-Electric-Company-Aquarium-250-watt/dp/B003JNYD62

Nice find! I forget about Amazon.com sometimes. Think I'm going to move on, there are only six left, it's change it now or possibly in another year. I'm going to order the Aquamaxx 20k.

Thanks!

DFW · Feb 20, 2015

bknapp said:
Nice find! I forget about Amazon.com sometimes. Think I'm going to move on, there are only six left, it's change it now or possibly in another year. I'm going to order the Aquamaxx 20k.

Thanks!

If I ran across some inexpensive ballasts, and fixtures, I would try the Phoenix. They seem to be very popular. And if you bought a bunch of them now, who cares when they stop making them? Premium Aquatics, and Foster and Smith still have some, too.

bknapp · Feb 20, 2015

Time for me to try something new, if they're long term not available. It's now or later.

hybridazn · Feb 21, 2015

bknapp said:
Time for me to try something new, if they're long term not available. It's now or later.

Buuuuuuut if you buy all 6 your set for more than half a decade....

bknapp · Feb 21, 2015

hybridazn said:
Buuuuuuut if you buy all 6 your set for more than half a decade....

Not when I have three burning at once I'm not, lol.

hybridazn · Feb 21, 2015

bknapp said:
Not when I have three burning at once I'm not, lol.

Hahahaha, well then 2 years

bknapp · Feb 21, 2015

Eh, close enough

dodger745 · Feb 25, 2015

Dude I found some today at Readysetreef.com it's crazy how all of a sudden everyone sold out. I hate that after this new set I ordered are used then I will have to switch to a new bulb as well. Everyone is telling me to go aquamaxx