Phoenix 14k gone

bknapp · Feb 25, 2015

dodger745 said:
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

I'm planning on taking a picture with an Aquamaxx next to a Phoenix bulb to compare colors. I'll do my best to remember to post that picture here and my personal opinion of the bulb. I should have them by the end of the week.

dodger745 · Feb 25, 2015

Cool deal!

jackson6745 · Feb 25, 2015

From what I understand, Radium did make a 250w DE bulb. I'm not sure if it's still being made. I don't see it F/S on the major reef sites but I still see it here
Radium: RADIUM HRI LAMP MH250W 250W Mogul M138 20000K [510030] - Double Ended (DE), HQI, HRI & Mogul Base Lamps - Lamps / Tubes / Bulbs - Discount Specialty Farm, Greenhouse, Garden & Hydroponics Supply Store - Horticulture Source

dodger745 · Feb 26, 2015

I saw that radium when I was on my Phoenix hunt. Made me wonder why none of the big name reef stores ever sold it.

ksr.aaron · Feb 26, 2015

I ordered the XM 20k for my 250w any input from those? I searched everywhere online for phoenix... =( kinda sad

dodger745 · Feb 27, 2015

ksr.aaron said:
I ordered the XM 20k for my 250w any input from those? I searched everywhere online for phoenix... =( kinda sad

I've never used the xm bulb. Let us know of what you think. Also I think it's odd that no one really is talking g about the Phoenix bulb being gone. It was the most popular halide bulb out there for DE 250w. I just see it as kinda strange because I can't seem to dig up any articles about it being discontinued.

dodger745 · Feb 27, 2015

someone just dropped 5 of the phoenix bulbs on ebay for 55.99 each with free shipping.

LILBUDDHA · Mar 5, 2015

Bringing this back ...ttt .Just read on RC that Hexarc will go into production again in the near future.
This is from someone they stated was a reliable source.

"Just got off the phone with Hexarc Blue. There was a big enough uproar on the discontinuation of that bulb that phoenix will be redoing production for the 250w DE bulb. Estimated timeframe for them to be back on the market is late May to late June. Continuation on the other bulbs will be TBD."

"

bknapp · Mar 5, 2015

That's good to know. Thanks.

kevensquint · Mar 6, 2015

In my tank, phoenix best for color/growth balance. Radium slightly better color and almost equal growth. Xm 20k, slower growth, best color of the 3. Amazing purple on my garf from that bulb.

mcarroll · Mar 11, 2015

dodger745 said:
I've never used the xm bulb. Let us know of what you think. Also I think it's odd that no one really is talking g about the Phoenix bulb being gone. It was the most popular halide bulb out there for DE 250w. I just see it as kinda strange because I can't seem to dig up any articles about it being discontinued.

I think that's just how many people have switched to LED. I bet the Phoenix people quit making the bulbs WHEN THEY SWITCHED to led.

I always preferred Radiums since they were both better looking and brighter (thanks to running at 170w vs 150w) than other bulbs. XM was my second favorite - still very good looking, just not as bright. Phoenix was amazing for the price though.

When I realized that for the price of my bi-annual bulb-change ($100-$160) I could build an entire gu10 LED fixture to replace the halides. (In fact, I could build a new one EVERY YEAR and throw it in the trash at the end and still be ahead of the game!)

As much as I liked halides I've never looked back.

$0.02

hybridazn · Mar 12, 2015

mcarroll said:
I think that's just how many people have switched to LED. I bet the Phoenix people quit making the bulbs WHEN THEY SWITCHED to led.

I always preferred Radiums since they were both better looking and brighter (thanks to running at 170w vs 150w) than other bulbs. XM was my second favorite - still very good looking, just not as bright. Phoenix was amazing for the price though.

When I realized that for the price of my bi-annual bulb-change ($100-$160) I could build an entire gu10 LED fixture to replace the halides. (In fact, I could build a new one EVERY YEAR and throw it in the trash at the end and still be ahead of the game!)

As much as I liked halides I've never looked back.

$0.02

We are the opposite, I went from having leds for years to switching back to halides and I won't ever switch back. For the cost of the 3 radions I ran I could swap out my 3 radiums for close to a decade before even coming close in price.

As for how often you changed your bulbs, I think doing it twice a year was a little much. If the bulbs were losing par or color I question the ballast you were running them with if it caused you to change them so often.

mcarroll · Mar 12, 2015

6 months is the standard for t5ho or halide...but it does depend on how long they run every day. YMMV. (FWIW, it was a magnetic ballast system as recommended for Radium's dual-ended lamps.)

In my setup, corals would start showing signs of light stress in month 7.

If I were going back to halide, I don't think I'd change anything.

Btw, I don't think you can save any money by switching to Radions until something like year 7. They would be a deal-breaker for me too if they were the only LEDs in town.

Thanks be to the inexpensive gu10 bulb and (beginner-level) DIY!!

dodger745 · Mar 12, 2015

phoenix bulbs have been proven to last quite a bit longer than many other halide bulbs. mine get changed on 12 months of life. i run them 6.5 hours per day

mcarroll · Mar 12, 2015

dodger745 said:
phoenix bulbs have been proven to last quite a bit longer than many other halide bulbs. mine get changed on 12 months of life. i run them 6.5 hours per day

That about the normal expected life at around 6hrs a day. I mostly ran my light for 11+ hours a day back then.

hybridazn · Mar 12, 2015

mcarroll said:
That about the normal expected life at around 6hrs a day. I mostly ran my light for 11+ hours a day back then.

Actually expected life for the 150w which you ran at 8 hrs a day is almost a year. 11 months to be exact. I'm on month 10 with my current 250w mogul radiums and still haven't noticed any significant change in spectrum or coral growth or color. Mine are on 8 hrs a day.

mcarroll · Mar 12, 2015

I'm sure there are some differences in ballast, as well as between the 150w an 250w lines, but I've seen the limits I've referred to in action in a number of scenarios. ~12 hours/day gives ~6 mths useful life. ~6 hrs/day gives ~12 mths. True anecdotes. (And jibes with simple math, so I figured it made sense.) YMMV though, of course.

Did you run your 250's at 270+w?

Are you getting your expected life numbers from Radium, or...?

hybridazn · Mar 12, 2015

mcarroll said:
I'm sure there are some differences in ballast, as well as between the 150w an 250w lines, but I've seen the limits I've referred to in action in a number of scenarios. ~12 hours/day gives ~6 mths useful life. ~6 hrs/day gives ~12 mths. True anecdotes. (And jibes with simple math, so I figured it made sense.) YMMV though, of course.

Did you run your 250's at 270+w?

Are you getting your expected life numbers from Radium, or...?

True, the ballast makes all the difference. I run mine with hqi ballasts for now. I do plan to eventually switch out to m80 ballasts but not really a necessity at the moment. At month 10 I am still getting the numbers I should from them, but I do realize I am close to the end with them so I have the new bulbs ready to go.