Is it me or are Aqualine DE not that bright?

sugartooth · #1 10/06/2007, 09:33 AM

Hello,
Does anyone have experience with Aqualine 250w DE 20K? I was told I won't regret buying these very expensive bulbs and I put them in last weekend. It was very bright for about a day and now they don't seem as bright as the Phoenix 14K I had on them before.

How long would you wait before yanking them out if you don't like your bulbs?

EDIT:: I also understand it just could be the difference in spectrum......maybe I just need to get used to it? Does anyone have experience with the 10K bulb? I have one of those and hesistant to use it.

CGRANT · #2 10/06/2007, 10:58 AM

HI shugartooth, the 10k's should be brighter. 10k's will give you very good coral growth, the 20k's i have seen on tanks are not as bright and are very blue.

Roman Ogee · #3 10/06/2007, 11:04 AM

How deep is the tank? I've gone back and forth between 10Ks and 20ks...... To get that "bling-bling", I prefer the 10Ks.
Good luck!

sugartooth · #4 10/06/2007, 12:01 PM

Thanks C and Ogee. Maybe it's just that I don't like 20K's (tried Ushio 20K's and yanked them too)

But that it started out so nice and bright and a few days later it's pooping out (that's what it feels like). I liked the way it looked the first few days.

The tank is 30" deep. Maybe I'll go with the 10K's and see how that looks.

How long would you wait before deciding if you like it or not?
Thanks a bunch.

CGRANT · #5 10/06/2007, 10:03 PM

unless you have an issue with the bulbs i dont think the color will change? i also have a deep tank (210) and i like the 10k's, i personally would stick between the 10-14k's. you could always just run the 10k's w/ t5 actinics for some blue tones, i have 3-250w 10k's de-mh w/4 39w t5 actinics and if you still want more blue you can always go w/ 6 t5 actinics if you really wanted, if its your 170 you should have room ontop to do it.

PSam · #6 10/06/2007, 10:22 PM

The AB 20K's have way less PAR than the Phoenix, like almost 1/2 the PAR. What look are you going for? I assume very blue since you went from phoenix to AB 20K?

sugartooth · #7 10/07/2007, 12:58 AM

Thanks CGrant and PSam. Yes, this is for the 170 and I think I'm going to stay with 10-14Ks like you suggest.

PSam: I can't believe that! I didn't realize there was such a difference. I really liked the Phoenix on the tank, it was just that they were old and needed to be changed and there was a sale.
AND, the sales person told me I can't go wrong with these bulbs and I thought 'hey I'll give them a try'.

I think I will yank them out next weekend and go to the Phoenix again.
Thanks!

SlowCobra · #8 10/07/2007, 01:06 AM

My AB 20k 250 DE lasted about 5 hrs before it was removed. WAY to blue for me.

PSam · #9 10/07/2007, 01:15 AM

Sugartooth are you using actinic also? have you tried reeflux 12K?

sugartooth · #10 10/07/2007, 01:23 AM

I have actinic white and actinic blue VHOs. I have tried reeflux 12K and the Phoenix seemed to smoke them side by side on the tank.

I'm a bit disappointed because these cost way more $$ per bulb than the Phoenix. The bad thing about the Phoenix is that I have to replace them earlier.

sugartooth · #11 10/07/2007, 01:23 AM

I forgot to add, not sure if it really matters or not but these are in Luminarc reflectors as well.
Thanks again.

sidd129 · #12 10/07/2007, 02:46 AM

When a bulb burns in the first couple of days they tend to burn a little brighter.

Rod Buehler · #13 10/07/2007, 07:11 AM

And remember that the ballast can also make a big difference in different bulbs.