What bulbs do I want?

[whatcaneyedo]

This site might help you. It shows side by side comparisons of a handful of bulbs. http://chrismorris.ca/250wcolour/

The trick is to pick a bulb that looks good to you, with a relatively high PAR rating and at a reasonable price. For a 10K bulb my choice is XM and for a 14K I like Phoenix.

[burrows14]

thats a great site! thanks! the xm 20ks dont look that bad. i wish they they had the gleismenn 20ks vs the phoenix 14k

[mr.wilson]

I like the natural white look of Giesmann 20,000K, but Phoenix 14,000K bulbs are bluer and are surprisingly 20% brighter under a lux meter (comparing new bulbs in the same fixture). The human eye registers yellow colours more readily than blue, so you have to decide if you want it to look bright, or actually be bright. Both bulbs are excellent.

I also like Aqualine Bausche 20,000K bulbs if I want a really blue light that doesn't look dim or eerie. They are cheaper than Giesmann or Phoenix if that matters.

[burrows14]

Originally Posted by mr.wilson

I like the natural white look of Giesmann 20,000K, but Phoenix 14,000K bulbs are bluer and are surprisingly 20% brighter under a lux meter (comparing new bulbs in the same fixture). The human eye registers yellow colours more readily than blue, so you have to decide if you want it to look bright, or actually be bright. Both bulbs are excellent

So i guess the phoenix 14k sounds like they are the better bang for the buck?

[burrows14]

im not worried to much about price. i would much rather pay for the quality and performance instead of cheaping out

[globaldesigns]

I have the same fixture and tried the Pheonix 14K, had them in for about 4 months and just took them out last month... The Coralife ballasts don't like them and they flickered quite a bit.

I now am using Ushio 10K bulbs, they are more compatible with the ballasts and I actually like the light output, very white light not much yellow.

Not all bulbs work with all ballasts... I have read the Ushio and Kolorchrom (Geissmen), are both German made bulbs and have the best compatibility.

[mr.wilson]

I think most people would prefer the blue colour of the Phoenix bulbs, and find the Giesmann too white, but for my own tank I would use giesmann's.

[burrows14]

Originally Posted by globaldesigns

I have the same fixture and tried the Pheonix 14K, had them in for about 4 months and just took them out last month... The Coralife ballasts don't like them and they flickered quite a bit.

I now am using Ushio 10K bulbs, they are more compatible with the ballasts and I actually like the light output, very white light not much yellow.

Not all bulbs work with all ballasts... I have read the Ushio and Kolorchrom (Geissmen), are both German made bulbs and have the best compatibility.

do you think its worth upgrading ballasts? or would it be better to buy a higher quality fixture for the long run? my birthday is comming up so i might ask for some gift certificates lol

[viperfish]

Originally Posted by mr.wilson

I like the natural white look of Giesmann 20,000K, but Phoenix 14,000K bulbs are bluer and are surprisingly 20% brighter under a lux meter (comparing new bulbs in the same fixture). The human eye registers yellow colours more readily than blue, so you have to decide if you want it to look bright, or actually be bright. Both bulbs are excellent.

I also like Aqualine Bausche 20,000K bulbs if I want a really blue light that doesn't look dim or eerie. They are cheaper than Giesmann or Phoenix if that matters.

I am using AB bulbs 20K and love the light, not too blue and very bright.

[burrows14]

so i am a complete moron! i went to J&L today and ended up buying 2 giesemann megachrome 250w 13k De's. i get home unhook all my cords and take apart my fixture pull out my old bulbs to find...... I have 150w lights! SON OF A B****!!!!! so im heading back tommorow morning to return them and im gonna pay the difference and go with the aqua connect 14k ONE FIFTY WATT! lol

Ray