please help me make a BULB DECISION in the next hour!!!

[ezcompany]

250 DE Magnetic Ballast

I currently run the Phoenix 14K. I have actinic supplements. Naturally the tank is way too blue. I'm looking for a CRISP WHITE with a tinge of blue. NO YELLOW whatsoever. I called MD and they told me the Aqualine is too yellow, followed by the 10k Ushio. I have tried the 14k Phoenix, Hamilton 14ks, and Current USA 10k, i don't like all of them.
Here are my options so far:

A. 12.5k Megachrome Blue (Giessman)
B. 14K Ushio
C. 14K IWASAKI

I need to make a decision so i can get the bulbs tomorrow, please help me out!!!!

[Aquaticman74]

HQI ballast?

[gcarroll]

C. would be the bluest of the one's you listed and it is an awesome bulb choice.

[ezcompany]

thanks Greg, bub i'm looking for a whiter one. i'm leaning towards the Giesmann, what do you think?

[Aquaticman74]

If you're going with the giesemann get the 14.5k coral. The 12.5k marine has more yellow to it.

[ezcompany]

i have actinic supplements
i chose the 12.5k as i heard it was bluer than the 10k ushio, 10k Aqualine ABs, but still whiter than 14ks. I run the phoenix now and really don't like it. Thanks everyone

[Aquaticman74]

The giesemann 14.5k is white.
The 12.5k is yellow. It's basically the same bulb as the 10k Ushio. It's rumored that Ushio is making the Gmann bulbs.

400w SE 14.5k Gmann on SLS Galaxy ballasts.

[ezcompany]

"It's rumored that Ushio is making the Gmann bulbs" that would be very disturbing. Gmann bulbs still have better PAR than Ushios so i doubt it. Also that pic above is a tad blue for me. i really hope the bulb isn't yellow and that either you or i am color blind lol

[DarG]

Crisp white with a hint of blue ... Iwasaki 14000K. Awesome bulb.

[ezcompany]

pls don't make me regret....if this turns out to be below expectations the Iwasaki will be my next choice.

[GrandeGixxer]

The Reeflux bulbs are nice too. I have the 10k 175w with T5 actinic+ and I like it a bunch.

[sditch]

Gman Coral(14.4K), you will love it.

[DarG]

Originally posted by ezcompany
"It's rumored that Ushio is making the Gmann bulbs" that would be very disturbing. Gmann bulbs still have better PAR than Ushios so i doubt it. Also that pic above is a tad blue for me. i really hope the bulb isn't yellow and that either you or i am color blind lol

That pic is the 400 watt SE version. That does not mean the 250 watt DE version will look the same.

Suggestion before you buy ... talk to Hahnmeister. I am almost positive that he stated that the Giesemann 14.5 K 250 watt DE can actually have somewhat of a yellow tint if the water isnt crystal clear. Also remember reading that one of the 13K Giesemanns on Sanjays page is actually the Giesemann 14.5 K. They both measure about 10000K or below. If that's the case and the 14.5 is the same as the 13K that Sanjay tested, I can understand why it could look yellow with water that is not crystal clear.

I dont care if you buy the G-man or the Iwasaki or whatever else. I passed on the info as everyone else did and it's for you to decide. BUT, the Giesemanns are expensive bulbs and before you jump, you may just want to gather some more information. Again, PM Hahnmeister or post a message to him. He knows those bulbs as well.

Good luck with whatever you do. I hope you make the choice that makes you happy the first time.

[hahnmeister]

Ushio makes G-man. The Ushio 14,000K and G-man 14,500K in their 400 watt versions (as well as the BLV nepturion 14,000K) are the same bulb.

The 250wattDE's are a different story though. The G-man 14,500K is not the same as the Ushio 14,000K, nor the BLV 14,000K. It boggles me too why Ushio would make a better bulb for someone else and not themselves, but hey... it happens. Its not to say that at some point Ushio might not come out with its equal, but not for now.

[kdblove_99]

Aquaticman beautiful tank. Love the color of that 400 Gman bulb