Giesemann Megachrome or phoenix 14k your advice is needed

[platax88]

I am in the process to upgrading to 3 X 250w hqi DE lights for my 125. I do not want to run supplemental actinic with this. Which of the two bulbs would you recommend for a crisp white/blue look?

The Giesemann seems to have higher intensity than the phoenix according to sanjays tests, but is it two yellow without actinic?

Also, does it warrant the $20 more per bulb for the Giesemann?

Thanks for your help!

[VaderWS6]

I would say go with the Phoenix if you don't want supplemental actinics. I'm switching my SE XM 10k's to SE Phoenix 14k's tomorrow. I'm more about color now than growth.

[platax88]

Vader, are you gonna suplement with actinic?

[JasonNY58]

Phoenix 14k all the way!

[sditch]

Both are really good bulbs, I would go with the Pheniox...The Gman would be really intense....

[Tater11]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13056359#post13056359 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by VaderWS6
I would say go with the Phoenix if you don't want supplemental actinics. I'm switching my SE XM 10k's to SE Phoenix 14k's tomorrow. I'm more about color now than growth.

where can you get phoenix 14 se?

[Newreeflady]

I am seeing this over and over again, so I'm going to make it really big:

GIESEMANN has ------------2------------- different "megachrome" bulbs.

That said, the comparison is moot since they are SO different. The Phoenix is blue. The Megachrome Coral is more of a white. The Megachrome Marine, I have heard, is more yellow.

also, since you're running 3 bulbs, perhaps you could make the middle one more white, and the outer ones more blue.

-A

[Jflip2002]

Phoenix doesnt make SE..... I like the whiter look. 10ks without actinics look fine to me even. So my opinion may be skewed. Id go with the Giesemann 12.5k.

[platax88]

I think i have made my choice on the pheonix. I like a bluer look ... i am switching from 20K. AND they are a bit cheaper!

[IndyReefMan]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13057914#post13057914 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Newreeflady
I am seeing this over and over again, so I'm going to make it really big:

GIESEMANN has ------------2------------- different "megachrome" bulbs.

That said, the comparison is moot since they are SO different. The Phoenix is blue. The Megachrome Coral is more of a white. The Megachrome Marine, I have heard, is more yellow.

also, since you're running 3 bulbs, perhaps you could make the middle one more white, and the outer ones more blue.

-A

Well stated. If you are looking for a crisp white look, you may be disappointed in the Phoenix. It really depends upon the ballast that you are using. I found it to be much too blue for my tastes... it washed out all of my coral colors and everything looked monochromatic. But again, it was probably my ballast. I've heard plenty of people report it to be white with just a little blue. You might want to consider the Iwasaki 14K. Very nice crisp white, but not nearly as blue as the Phoenix, but slightly bluer than the Gmann 14.5K Coral.

[buck50bmg]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13057914#post13057914 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Newreeflady
I am seeing this over and over again, so I'm going to make it really big:

GIESEMANN has ------------2------------- different "megachrome" bulbs.

That said, the comparison is moot since they are SO different. The Phoenix is blue. The Megachrome Coral is more of a white. The Megachrome Marine, I have heard, is more yellow.

also, since you're running 3 bulbs, perhaps you could make the middle one more white, and the outer ones more blue.

-A

I know what you mean.....

But its really 3 different types. There is also a 22K. I use it to balance out the blue with my 3 10K XM. Looks nice. But I am now going with 3 of the Aquaconnects 14K, great PAR. Awesome color.

https://diyreef.authsecure.com/shop/index.php?cPath=55_57_61

[platax88]

Thanks IndyReef ... i'll look into the Iwasakis BUT they are ~$90 a piece :(

I did however run into a post on ANOTHER THREAD (http://www.reefcentral.org/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1381444&perpage=25&pagenumber=3)

Where RC member macreefster posted this picture of his Pheonix 14k. THIS IS THE LOOK I'M AFTER! I plan on running these on the regular Advance M80 hqi ballasts. I should contact him/her and see what ballasts are being used.

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm252/macreefster/IMG_0067.jpg

[platax88]

Thanks buck50bmg! Wow, all those Gmann bulbs are considerably more expensive than the Pheonix... Is Pheonix an American brand?

[platax88]

After continuing to read the thread i posted above it seems like the colorshift and blue is happening to the phoenix when running on M138 ballasts (which Current supplies with the fixture). The pic i posted above are on M80 ballasts (advance) which is what comes with the FPO systems... Seems like Phoenix IS the right choice for my ballasts.

Am i missing anything else :D

[Newreeflady]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13059091#post13059091 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by platax88
After continuing to read the thread i posted above it seems like the colorshift and blue is happening to the phoenix when running on M138 ballasts (which Current supplies with the fixture). The pic i posted above are on M80 ballasts (advance) which is what comes with the FPO systems... Seems like Phoenix IS the right choice for my ballasts.

Am i missing anything else :D

We're ALWAYS missing something;)

Sounds like you're making the right choice for you thanks to a good deal of research... Nice work!

-A

[shelburn61]

Pretty sure the pic above is on M80. The phx looks great on M80 IMO but does look very washed out blue on electronic ballasts...

[platax88]

Awesome! I got one more question for you gurus. Right now i run 250w SE on M58 ballasts ... will i see a big increase of heat now on the M80?

[IndyReefMan]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13059056#post13059056 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by platax88
[B]Thanks IndyReef ... i'll look into the Iwasakis BUT they are ~$90 a piece :(



Whoa... Let's rip-off the reefers. I got mine at Premium Aquatics for $74.95.

[VaderWS6]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13057525#post13057525 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Tater11
where can you get phoenix 14 se?

Sorry, I meant DE. I supplement my XM 10k's with VHO actinics, but I doubt I'll supplement the Phoenix with actinics. Probably just use the VHO's for dawn/dusk.

[VaderWS6]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13059068#post13059068 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by platax88
Thanks buck50bmg! Wow, all those Gmann bulbs are considerably more expensive than the Pheonix... Is Pheonix an American brand?

Japanese

[platax88]

Thanks Vader ... did you get the lights? how they looking? also let us know what ballast you are running

[sditch]

Put your pheniox on a M80 or Lumatek and you will love it more if you want more of a white look. It was night and day diffrence when I switched ballest to the Lumatek's with the pheniox bulb.

It burns more white with a nice blue pop....no wash colors here...

[bergzy]

i have used phoenix 14k's and the megachromes on giesemann fixtures.

the phoenix is definitely more blue (on giesemann magnetic ballasts) and the megachrome is more on the white side.

the color rendition differences of the two are noticeable as 'i' like the corals under the megachrome over the phoenix. the phoenix was too blue (with no actinic supplementation).

thus, my order of preference for 250w de bulbs are:

1) megachrome (white)
2) ushio 14k (crisp white with just a hint of blue)
3) phoenix 14k (blue side more like a 20k)

[VaderWS6]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13064031#post13064031 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by platax88
Thanks Vader ... did you get the lights? how they looking? also let us know what ballast you are running

Yup, I've got the lights but haven't hooked them up yet. I'm using a PFO dual HQI ballast (m80). I'll let you know, and try to post pics.

[platax88]

That would be awesome! thanks!