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#1
08-11-2010, 06:18 PM
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Phoenix 14K or Ushio 14K???
Time for a couple of new 250w MH bulbs, I'm looking for a good balance between growth and colour. I am currently running 250w AB 10K bulbs with actinic supplementation. Both the Pheonix and Ushio bulbs are very close in price and I have used Phoenix in the past with good results but I have never tried the Ushio. Some feedback would be great.
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#2
08-11-2010, 06:47 PM
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I went through the same debate a while back (for my 150W) and ultimately stayed with the Pheonix 14K. There are some differences between the 150W and 250W bulbs, so take my input with a grain of salt.
The Ushio 14K definitely has more punch to it, tends to be a bit brighter and I would say is 'truer' to what natural sunlight looks like. I remember that the Ushio's give a slightly higher PAR (I remember reading somewhere that it is about 15% higher than the Pheonix bulbs) and consequently give slightly better growth. All that being said, much of those traits stem from the fact that they are very 'yellow' looking. I found the Ushio 14K to be yellower than my Coralife 10K it was replacing! I didn't keep them long enough to really comment on how well things grow under them but I would say for growth (based on PAR) and the look of a very shallow reef, use the Ushio's. When I switched to the Pheonix, the colours absolutely 'popped'! Initially it almost looked surreal but as the lamp burned in a bit more (or my eyes burned in... either way...) it really started to impress me. Pinks looked PINK (where as they looked brown/yellow-ish under the Ushio) and greens went absolutley electric. I have had great growth with the Pheonix (way better than my ancient Coralife 10K) and people are blown away by the colours when they see the tank. Obviously, I am a Pheonix fan over the Ushio but like I said, I'm using the 150W and there are some differences between the bulbs in that respect. I would also recommend the Ushio 20K; a friend of mine had this one and it looked quite stellar (quite similar to the Pheonix in terms of colour). I suggest getting science-y and popping over to Sanjay Josji's website. This guy really nerds it up when it comes to lighting and there is a lot of info on there to poke through. Happy reefin'!
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#6
08-12-2010, 12:47 AM
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I had Phoenix tried Ushio for 3 months and then went back to Phoenix because of colour. To me the Ushios look closer to 10k than 14k.
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Sebae
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#7
08-12-2010, 12:59 AM
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The phoenix have a much bluer look to them. I switched over from ushio a few weeks ago and so far very happy with the phoenix and I think I will be sticking with them. They are closer in color to a 20k ushio but supposedly (haven't got out the PAR meter yet) have the output of a 14k.
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#9
08-12-2010, 08:22 AM
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the only lights i have on my tank are 2 x 250 w and i am runing the pheonix hexarcs and they are wuit bue and i am getting decent growth thus far.. tank is just starting up but i have aready noticed an increase in growth..
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72 Gallon Bowfront Reef.. Hardware:2x250w Luminex Elite HQI Reflectors (Phoenix Hexarc Bulbs), Galaxy 2x250w Electronic ballast, Euroreef 130 Skimmer, Sedra KSP 7000 Retern... Live Stock: Pair of Hawaiian Flame Wrasse, Leopard Wrasse, Pink Streaked Wrasse, Pair True Percula Clowns, Potters Angel, African Flameback Angel, Orange Fin Tomini Tang, Yellow Assessor, Tailspot Blenny, Purple Firefish.. 45 G FW Asain Barb Community tank.
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#10
08-12-2010, 10:26 AM
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Love my Phoenix and Aquaconnect 14000k bulbs.
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If you see it, can take care of it, better get it or put it on hold. Otherwise, it'll be gone & you'll regret it!
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