Help choosing new MH bulbs!

[warnutts]

Was leaning towards the 14k phoenix bulbs. Have heard great things about them. What are you guys running on your tanks?

Does anyone know where i can get the 250w 14k phoenix bulbs SE...all i seem to find are DE ones...

Any suggestions? im looking for good growth but also something that can make my corals pop. Im also running actinics!

[fixx198]

I run the Phoenix DE 250w 14k bulbs and love them. I would have gone to the radiums if I had a SE fixture.

[thegrun]

I use Radium on my MH, I love the color.

[spleify]

I run Phoenix DE on one tank and Radium SE on the other tank. I love the color of both of them. Good growth on both as well.

[nwpschris]

Phoenix 14Ks are great..i love the color. You can get the single ended ones from Marine Depot...they are like $70.

[spleify]

Yep here you go

http://www.marinedepot.com/14000K_Metal_Halide_Bulb_Phoenix_Mogul_Base_150_Watt_Single_Ended_Metal_Halide_Light_Bulbs-Phoenix-MB2651-FILTBUMHSEHW-vi.html

[warnutts]

thanks guys i have mostly frags in my tank right now will i see a huge drop in growth if i go to 14k's or 15k's?

[10001110101]

yeah, growth will drop. phoenix is penned as being "best of both worlds" for color and growth however.

but no 14k can match a good 10k bulb. (some crap 10k bulbs are worse than a better 14k)

but most who switch to better color enhancing bulbs, soon stop giving a crap about par and growth as long as they are good enough, this is my experience.

even a lot of coral aquaculturists in it for money use 14k or 20k... less likely to bleach, and for coral PAR values are not linearly related to growth, most corals can use the bluer end of the spectrum than algae or land plants.

[reggiepe]

I have run Phoenix 14k for the last few years. On a whim and with feedback from reefcentral users, I purchased a pair of Plusrite 20k's. I have had them in for a month and really like them. The cost savings is substantial. Do a search on here for the Ebay Metal Halide bulbs and choose for yourself. The reason I went from 14k to 20k was the fact that some of the feedback was that the 20k's were not as blue as what a 20k from another company would be. In the last month I have seen no detrimental affects of these bulbs and am seeing growth continue. It's worthy of a consideration for the cost savings. Just my 2cents.

[dnov99]

I have the Phoenix DE 14K and love them, been running them for about 4 yers now. I get mine from Premium aquatics, as the usually have a fair price.