ReefSafari Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 So its going to be time soon to replace my bulbs in my fixture, I currently am running standard Current USA 14k Bulbs, and I have liked them, and originally had plans to go phoenix 14k and stay with that temperature. I have actinic/blue led's that when the halides go off and the blue led's are on, many of my corals just GLOW under it, which makes me kinda want to go up to a 20k bulb....but I have not seen any 250w DE in 20K in person, I know everyone raves about the radiums, but they don't make it in a 250w DE, I see the XM 20K mentioned alot though.. So I am curious, If I want to have my corals really pop, should I go 20K? if so any particular brand more blue than the others? Is the Pheonix 14k pretty blue? What do you think the bluest, most coral popping 250w DE is? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reefnjunkie Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 If you come by this weekend you can see my tank, I run 2 250DE phoenix and 2-54 actinic Love the phoenix-no other bulb for me and I have tried a few 20k DE brands, never tried the XM's and not wanting to after seeing/using the Phoenix I have used the Blue life Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 I have an Aqualine AB 20k in mine and I like the color which has a slight violet (uv) tint to it. For your colors to really pop though your not going to want a bluer bulb but rather you want one that is more violet. In an SE bulb I really like the XM 15K and the Ushio 20k which both have a bit more violet than the aqualine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 If you come by this weekend you can see my tank' date=' I run 2 250DE phoenix and 2-54 actinic[/quote'] Which actinics are you running? Are they 420 or 460nm? I'll be looking to replace the 2 I got from you pretty quick. They give the tank a nice natural color however they don't have any violet in them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reefnjunkie Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 Which actinics are you running? Are they 420 or 460nm? I'll be looking to replace the 2 I got from you pretty quick. They give the tank a nice natural color however they don't have any violet in them. I believe they are 460nm T5's-I could be mistaken, but I am fairly certain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 this is probably going to be a landslide for Pheonix.....I know Ushio makes a good bulb too in the 20k arena but from what I have learned from others Pheonix is everywhere.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoobtoSalt Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 I just got some phoenix and love the color. Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newfisher Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 I have the 14k phoenix now after having the SPS 20k....I'm switching back after 6 months because I like the more blue color and the way the corals look from 20 feet across the room. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stylaster Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 i run radium 20k bulbs and love them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coralreefer Posted October 22, 2010 Share Posted October 22, 2010 Phoenix...reefnjunkie sold me on his tank...I am so impressed with my set, that I ordered another replacement set for 6 months from now...SOS lights...Phoenix 250 14k on sale....got them in the mail today!!! DrMerle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted October 22, 2010 Share Posted October 22, 2010 Gotta love the sales. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReefSafari Posted October 27, 2010 Author Share Posted October 27, 2010 I am surpised that "Other" is beating out the Phoenix 14k....:eek:..Interesting...I have seen a few responses in the replies to some other types/brands of bulbs...So is everyone that is voting "Other" agreeing with Aqualine AB 20k or Radiums? The Radiums don't come in DE vesions...so I am out of luck there, unless I want to change my lighting....I am curious those of you who voted "Other"....which bulbs did you like, or are using? Or are people saying/voting that more blue is not what they like? I currently have 14k and just cannot see myself going any lower in Kelvin rating than that, I just personally don't like 10K look... So what bulbs are you guys voting for then? what are the "Other" bulbs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted October 27, 2010 Share Posted October 27, 2010 you should have asked for specification on the "other".....but I am telling you....Pheonix rocks.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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