Where to Buy Aqua Connect 400W 14,000k Bulbs?

[naterealbig]

Thanks!

[sirreal63]

Expand your search to Phoenix 14k's. Phoenix made the AC bulbs and re-branded them for AC.

[naterealbig]

Jack,

Thanks for the reply. I can not find a Phoenix bulb in the 400 watt or SE format.

[sirreal63]

I have never messed with 400 watt bulbs but I do know that Phoenix made the AquaConnect bulbs.

[gcarroll]

I have talked to the guys at Phoenix and they did not OEM the Aquaconnect 250 watt SE or the 400 watt SE bulbs. They did not know who know who sourced them either.

[sirreal63]

Interesting Greg, I wonder if they would have said if they did? I know it has been held as true that they did for a long time, but of course rumor doesn't always make truth. I would probably be inclined to think they would say it if they did, unless they were contractually bound not to. Either way it is one nice bulb in the 150 and 250 watt variety, can't speak to the 400's though, I don't think I have ever even seen one in person.

[PaulErik]

Not sure who carries Aquaconnect SE metal halide lamps anymore. The Aquaconnect SE lamps are manufactured by Narva in Germany. Narva manufacturers a few different lamps and will make custom lamps for clients. The Neuco halide lamps are manufactured by Narva as well. The Neuco lamps may be similar to the Aquaconnect SE lamps.

[naterealbig]

This is interesting. I have never seen the bulbs in person, but I have seen them referenced on various threads as "one of the best" 400 watt bulbs available. I have tried the 400W radiums, and they are nice, but the XM 400W 20kK bulb blew it away in terms of "pop", brightness, and overall color.

I think the relatively high peak in the 410nm range for the XM's is what makes them an exceptional bulb. The AC has peak through the 410-420 nm range that is even higher than the XM's, but has a slightly larger area under the curve between the 460-700nm range. I think this will produce a warmer overall color, but will really bring out the pinks, reds, and yellows in some of my corals.

Either way, I'd like to get my hands on a pair.....I'll keep looking.

[sirreal63]

Paul, do you know if Narva makes the DE version as well? I understand how people have made the leap that it is the Phoenix if you look at Sanjay's plots of the DE versions of each.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v362/sirreal63/77e849d32ab35983db905f953d886cfe1.jpg

They are virtually identical.

NB...you might try the Nueco bulb, I see CoralVue is the distributor and Aquarium Specialty carries them. It may be just what you are looking for.

[PaulErik]

Narva in Germany does offer DE lamps but Narva did not make the Aquaconnect DE lamps. It is well known that Phoenix Electric in Japan made the Aquaconnect DE lamps. This isn’t just from the spectral plot. Each manufacturer (actually manufacturing plant) uses a distinctive technique to construct metal halide lamps. It's like a signature.

[naterealbig]

Hard to argue with those plots Jack!

Well, I'm looking at the spectral plots that Coralvue has on their website for the 250watt and 400W versions of the 14.5kK Neuco bulb, and the plots just look funny. According to the estimated area under the plots, the 250W bulb is producing almost double the ppfd that the 400W bulb is.

The plots actually look like they have been cut and pasted onto the axes in the pictures. They just look weird. Following the cut and paste idea, it's funny how both 460nm peaks are exactly at "1". Oh, and the axes aren't labeled, which is also poor general form. The plots actually appear that they have been scaled to fit the area provided inside the axes. Man, those plots really bother me. How has no one noticed this?

I like CoralVue, and the Neuco bulbs may very well be the "AC 14kK" bulb I am looking for. Based on the information provided however, I can't make the move on them. If anyone can find a more accurate spectral plot, please let me know.

http://coralvue.com/aquastar-14500k/

[naterealbig]

Bump, because I know that someone has got to know a source for these....:)

[trueblackpercula]

Anyone know the source to get a 400watt se aquaconnect?
Many thanks