Need help picking new halide bulbs

Discussion in 'Metal Halide Aquarium Lighting' started by jkat21, May 16, 2011.

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  1. colin779

    colin779 Plankton

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    I also run 175W Mogul base halides. I started off with the XM 10k's which i was not really a fan of, they were to yellow for me. Last year i bought the Ushio 14k's, which side by side with my XM 10k's there really wasn't a big difference. About a month ago i bought the XM 20k's. At first i was worried because they were really blue, but over the last month they have whitened up and i am actually really happy with the color.

    I haven't used the Phoenix 14k's but a lot of the reviews i was reading people said they were bluer then the XM 20k's. Those were the 2 bulbs i was torn between, i'm very happy with my decision on the XM's though.
     
    colin779, May 17, 2011
    colin779, May 17, 2011
    #11
    1 person likes this.

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  2. Reloadeddevil

    Reloadeddevil Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    +1 on the pheonix 14K DE 150 watts. Just love the colors on the corals and corals seem to response very nicely.


    [​IMG]
     
    Reloadeddevil, May 17, 2011
    Reloadeddevil, May 17, 2011
    #12
    1 person likes this.
  3. Magnett2

    Magnett2 Coral Banded Shrimp

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    +1 also on Phoenix! Such a nice bulb.
     
    Magnett2, May 17, 2011
    Magnett2, May 17, 2011
    #13
  4. jkat21

    jkat21 Bangghai Cardinal

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    Thanks for the pic colors look real nice..

    Awesome thanks for the link..

    Very interesting,I will look into those also.thanks.

    I was thinking XM at first and SPS,and heard this from others.this is why I started this thread was to sold on them..

    looking good,great colors..Thanks..
     
    jkat21, May 17, 2011
    jkat21, May 17, 2011
    #14
  5. jkat21

    jkat21 Bangghai Cardinal

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    Thanks all for the reply's and pictures..You all have helped me out getting it down to two..1) Phoenix 14k and 2) Iwasaki 15,000K..gonna research some places to purchase from and go from there...unless I can convince the wife to let me go LED..::)
     
    jkat21, May 17, 2011
    jkat21, May 17, 2011
    #15
  6. gt40425hp

    gt40425hp Feather Duster

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    keep in mind your useing plusrites i beleve are probe start m59 i beleve the radiums are probe but if yor useing a electronic ballast you should be fine just watch the ansi codes
     
    gt40425hp, May 17, 2011
    gt40425hp, May 17, 2011
    #16

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  7. jkat21

    jkat21 Bangghai Cardinal

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    Gottcha.. Ive learned that lesson before..I found this ballast is a little finicky with certain bulbs..probe or pulse..
     
    jkat21, May 17, 2011
    jkat21, May 17, 2011
    #17
  8. colin779

    colin779 Plankton

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    Post some pictures when you get them running, whichever you choose. I believe the Iwasaki lamps are significantly more expensive if you're on a budget like mine.
     
    colin779, May 18, 2011
    colin779, May 18, 2011
    #18
  9. gcarroll

    gcarroll Zoanthid

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    The Iwasaki is expensive. The upside is that they last at least 2 years. I have a friend approaching 3 years on the same bulbs. The other upside is the output efficiency is very close to the efficiency of the better LED units on the market.
     
    gcarroll, May 18, 2011
    gcarroll, May 18, 2011
    #19
  10. pink4miss

    pink4miss Panda Puffer

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    i have the phoenix 14k ... not crazy about it i think its too blue. my next bulb will be the radium 20k for the more natural look
     
    pink4miss, May 18, 2011
    pink4miss, May 18, 2011
    #20
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