Help me pick a new bulb for my Solana

[Kevin McG]

I'm getting ready to order a 150watt DE bulb for my Solana and I really can't make a decision. I am currently running the "disco ball" stock bulb that I am not sure of the make but it's definitely a 10k. I really hate the 10k "look" and prefer the bluer looking bulbs such as the phoenix 14k. I have used the Phoenix in the past but wasn't to happy with the growth BUT I am prepared to make that sacrifice to achieve the bluer look I really like. I have done some reading here on the BRS sit as well as others and it seems I have 3 choices.

15K Iwasaki's
14K Phoenix
14K Ushio


I should also add there is no actinic supplementation on this tank, Other than the moonlight it will be the only bulb lighting this tank and this is the main reason I am leaning to the Phoenix 14k.


I would love some input on these bulbs and maybe others that I am overlooking


Thanks everybody

 

[Kevin McG]

Oops just noticed Iwasaki only carries a 150w 20k

 

[JTM4UG]

personally I think Ushio bulbs have the best looks and growth of the 3

 

[JohnK]

I like the ushios too, but they don't look anywhere near as blue as the pheonixs.

 

[Behrmon]

Kevin, if he still has it then for $30...
http://bostonreefers.org/forums/showthread.php?t=90241

 

[Kevin McG]

Kevin, if he still has it then for $30...
http://bostonreefers.org/forums/showthread.php?t=90241

I don't have permission to view that page

There is a fellow member that is going to let me try out a used phoenix later this week to see how it looks.

 

[Reeferer]

Iwasaki would be my choice

 

[Bobbofin]

I absolutely LOVE the Radium 20k but it's really not 20k...maybe 15k on a electronic ballast. Bulb color can be very subjective do to personal preference, ballast type and manufactor. I know HQI (electronic ballast) pump more current to the bulbs so they burn whiter than magnetic ballasts. So the color from one fixtue to another with the same bulb can be very differant. If you came to my house you'd swear that isn't a 20k bulb.

 

[KSC]

An "hqi" ballast is a magnetic ballast, not an electronic ballast.

 

[Kevin McG]

Just installed my new Phoenix 14k and all I can say is ahhhhhhh, now that's the way I like it!!

 

[Doherty]

Just installed my new Phoenix 14k and all I can say is ahhhhhhh, now that's the way I like it!!

So where are the pics

 

[Kevin McG]

So where are the pics

Tooooo lazy tonight

 

[Andy V]

I recently switched to the Ushio 14k DE 150W from the stock JBJ bulb in the nano cube. The Ushio has no blue tint whatsoever, and has made some corals look better and some look worse. It's hard to get everything the way you want it without actinic supplementation sometimes. That being said, I have seen more growth in a month using the Ushio than in 9 months with the JBJ bulb.