metal halide bulb question...

[ryangrieder]

so even though i been reefing for 4-5 years im a vergin at owning a metal halide system. so, im almost done setting up my new tank finally bought a single metal halide fixture with 4x 39w t-5s in it as well. my question is what bulb do you reccomend me getting if im looking for that nice blue/purple/white look. i dont like the bright white or yellow/white look k bulb. its coming with 1x 250W HQI FC2 bulb. so since im new to the halide systems, which do u reccomend me getting? also i've seen charts of the k in metal halide bulbs, but is 10k the same is a 10k power compact bulb or anything? because i see like 20k 25k and all of them, what color do they give off. like i said i dont want that white/yellow look. what do you think i would like and brand as well? thanks guys

 

[drazel]

I've been using 14k phoenix and it gives a nice blueish look but not a crazy blue. I like them a lot. I used XM 20k and ushio, but so far my favorite is the phoenix 14k

 

[ryangrieder]

yeah i dont need crazy blue because i can get actinic t-5s for it. but ill look into them.thank you.

any other sugguestions?

 

[ryangrieder]

any vendors on here selling bulbs that i may like?

 

[Lunareclipse]

I use 14k. I love the color.

 

[reefs4life]

I use 14K Phoenix as well

 

[ryangrieder]

well i guess 14k will be the winner lol. any vendors here care to help me out with getting one?

 

[tosiek]

I was using the Ushio 12 or 14k (forgot the K rating) DE bulbs before. Very nice white with supplimentation in the T5's. Just blue and white enough for me.

You might not like the pheonix DE bulbs if your running actinics on the T5's. Its gonna be very blue.

 

[masterswimmer]

You might not like the pheonix DE bulbs if your running actinics on the T5's. Its gonna be very blue.

T, he stated that he like's " im looking for that nice blue/purple/white look." Based on this comment, I think the Phoenix bulbs are the one bulb I would consider recommending. You know Jim uses the Phoenix on our Propagation system as well as the 150g display tank at his place.

Ryan, everyones tastes in bulb color varies so much that what one person see's as blue, someone else might see as purple. The ballast you're running the bulb on is going to effect the spectrum as well.

Bottom line is this, out of all the various bulbs we sell, I can honestly say without any doubt, that Phoenix is the #1 seller. For your first time in the MH lighting game, why don't you check them out and see what the hype is all about? In a worst case scenario you're only living with the bulbs for 8-9 months. Seems like an eternity now, but when it's time to replace them you'll wind up saying, damn that was quick Besides, even if for some reason (which I don't think will happen), you didn't like the bulbs, it would probably not be a statement like 'those bulbs are horrible and I can't see how anyone would have them on their tank'. You might say something much less hateful of the bulb and just think they aren't as perfect as everyone else says.

If you're interested in the Phoenix (or any other MH) give me a shout. This is a General Discussion Forum and vendors aren't allowed to sell here (even if you ask).

Hope this helped to make your decision easier.
Good luck with your new lights,
Russ

 

[ryangrieder]

thanks alot russ. i think im going to give it a shot with the phoenix 14k bulb. and your right, if i dont like them its only several months before i need to change them again anyway. i can wait it out. ive been waiting long enough to set this new tank i have as it is, paciences is not an issue.im sure ill like them though seeing the high ratings i saw on most websites and product reviews. so im going to give it a shot. thanks guys

one more question...20k and 22k? are those just mh actinics? because i think im wrong but this is how i see mh bulbs after reading different sites... like i said ive never once delt with mh before so bare with me.

k. and color tint

6.7k yellow/white
10k white
12k bright white/fadded blue
14k white/blue
17k blue/white
20k blue
22k purple/blue

i guessing im wrong, or maybe close to right... who knows. whats the correct color temp for each k. ?

thanks again everyone!