Help Me Make My Bulb Decision In The Next 1 Hr

ezcompany · #1 12/20/2007, 04:38 PM

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!!!!

EmDy · #2 12/20/2007, 05:09 PM

what about reeflux 12K, white, tint of blue.

ezcompany · #3 12/20/2007, 05:14 PM

i wanted a reeflux but they are only mogul (SE) not DE

Lagger · #4 12/20/2007, 05:17 PM

You're probably gonna lose par on the Ushio, so saki on the cheap & geisemann on the expensive.....althought both are still expensive

ezcompany · #5 12/20/2007, 05:23 PM

really? when does par die off on the ushio?

Lagger · #6 12/20/2007, 05:38 PM

If a 10k Ushio can't beat a Phoenix, I dont think a 14k is gonna do any better....

see here

At least you know the iwasaki & geisemann are comparable par, wise. Then you can decide on color, both of which are pretty white.

ezcompany · #7 12/20/2007, 05:49 PM

alright thanks. i decided to get a geismann, i don't think you can go wrong with that. the iwasaki i believe will be too blue for me as Greg mentioned. Thanks again and i'll take pics soon

Lagger · #8 12/20/2007, 05:56 PM

Good choice, I like Geisemann's

five.five-six · #9 12/20/2007, 06:03 PM

how about only run the actenics for dusk and dawn lighting

EmDy · #10 12/20/2007, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ezcompany
i wanted a reeflux but they are only mogul (SE) not DE

yeah...they have 12K DE

ezcompany · #11 12/20/2007, 06:27 PM

................LINK???? >_<

coast2coast7390 · #12 12/20/2007, 06:30 PM

if everything is goin good why change the bulb style

Bebo77 · #13 12/20/2007, 08:50 PM

try the Xm 10k.. veyr crisp white

gcarroll · #14 12/20/2007, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ezcompany
alright thanks. i decided to get a geismann, i don't think you can go wrong with that. the iwasaki i believe will be too blue for me as Greg mentioned. Thanks again and i'll take pics soon

No no. I wnted you choose C. You misunderstood. What I was saying it that it was the best choice for the liiok that you were seeking. Oh well, it's not like Giesmann is a bad bulb.

gcarroll · #15 12/20/2007, 09:16 PM

Dang I see where the post was misleading. What I was trying to say was that the Iwasaki was bluer that the other two. That is because A & B seemed like straight 10K bulbs IMO.

reef_doug · #16 12/20/2007, 09:26 PM

xm10k DE

golfish · #17 12/20/2007, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ezcompany
I have actinic supplements.

ez,
How about dumping the actinics...IMO,There's really no reason to run em other then the sun up, sun down effect.

FWIW, if your dead set on the actinics you might want to try the Ushio 10K's..those are killer bulbs.

ezcompany · #18 12/20/2007, 10:56 PM

dangit...i already purchased the Giessman!
i like the actinics because it gives a better spread of light, especially to the corners. at least it seems like it. I know it doesn't have much functionality. The link posted above shows poor PAR on the Ushios.
Greg, if it turns out I don't like the color of these bulbs, I'll try the Iwasakis.
Gabe, according to the MD people they said the XM 10k isn't crisp white but has a yellow tinge to it. They rated the Aqualine AB bulb to be the yellowest, then the XM, then the Ushio.

xtm · #19 12/20/2007, 11:34 PM

I have the Ushio 10K... It's YELLOW. I've seen the Ushio 14K in operation and it's whiter but still yellowish. If you want the crisp snow white color, I suggest you try a Hamilton 14K.

ezcompany · #20 12/20/2007, 11:43 PM

I have tried the Hamilton 14k. i thought it was way too blue...
is everyone's perception of color different!?
can i see the reeflux 12k in DE please???

xtm · #21 12/20/2007, 11:52 PM

My Hammy 14K took about 1 month before it shifted to pure white. When I first fired it, I thought it was too blue also.

btw, Which of your tank has the Phoenix? I remember that you have the SPS tank and the tank with the orange BTA. One of those tanks have an intense white light.. what do you have in there?

EmDy · #22 12/21/2007, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ezcompany
................LINK???? >_<

http://www.customaquatic.com/customa...MHBRL-DE-25012

ezcompany · #23 12/21/2007, 12:48 PM

wow how did you find that. i searched and didn't see it anywhere so assumed it wasn't sold.

EmDy · #24 12/21/2007, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ezcompany
wow how did you find that. i searched and didn't see it anywhere so assumed it wasn't sold.

because I was using them before.

gcarroll · #25 12/21/2007, 02:30 PM

I always heard the Reeflux 12K is as blue as the Phoenix?