Opinion on 150 watt DE bulbs

[Bobbofin]

I currently have a Current Sunpod over my Oceanic 30 cube. I have a Pheonix 14,000k bulb in it that's 8 months old. It has lost a lot of it's punch. The corals don't POP like they used to. I've read posts that say that they only last 6-12 months because they are a cheap bulb. I have tried the Geisemann MegaChrome Coral 14,500k and don't like it, not enough blue, too white. Although I'd love the color of a 20,000k bulb, I have concerns about par and coral growth. Do I have to be concerned with par and coral growth on such a small tank only 18" deep? I only have a few sps corals and have mostly lps and zoos. Any opinions of what my opinions are would be awesome!

Thanks!

 

[TomD]

Even though it is a small tank I would still stay away from 20K's. I just ran 20K's for 7 months and got some growing good, and some barely holding color. My opinion on using 20K's only is not very high after my experience. ALL my corals look 10X better after only a week and a half of switching to Ushio10K's

That is the only 150 I used so I don't know what else to recommend. I Personally liked Phoenix DE 14K's a lot. I would not say they are a "cheap" bulb.

 

[Bobbofin]

I loved the color of the Pheonix too but is 8 months out of a MH running at 10 hours a day reasonable. Someone at a LFS said if you get 10 months out of a mh bulb you are doing well. 10,000k are not an option with no actinic bulbs so a 14,000k or 15,000k bulb is going to have to do it with the fixture I have.

 

[TomD]

I am willing to bet any higher K bulb is going to lose some punch after 8 months. Maybe 6 months for a 20K.

I really think for a DE 150 with no acintic, they are your best bet for a bluish tint and decent par, especially for a tank that size. Jmo though

 

[Bobbofin]

I think AA has Pheonix bulbs, I'll have to cruise down there on Tuesday. I think he gets $70-80 for them. They are $60 online before shipping. So 8 months is good for bulb life? Some say those bulbs only last 6 months. Could be the cause of my algae issue???

 

[chew*]

Some say? Curiosity makes me wonder if the "some" are using SE or DE bulbs as DE's have a longer life span. When used for 8 hours a day they can last a year. From what i have heard the SE's have a shorter life span. U may want to try a ushio 10k as its more of a crisp white which is what my 1 1/2 month old pheonix looks like. The blue goes away after about a month. If anything it appears to have gotten brighter.

 

[JD46]

I just installed an Ushio 14K over my nano. It is a bit of a strange color and definitely not what I expected. I do not notice a lot of blue. To me, it almost has a faint greenish glow to it, kind of like the glow around ghosts in old cartoons. I do not find it unpleasant. Actually, I have quickly grown to like it but could see how many might not.

Since putting the bulb in, the corals in the tank have colored up nicely and some cyano, at the bottom on the sand, has all but disappeared.

JD

 

[alsie1]

150 DE bulbs

Want to hitch a ride on this one - Aqualine 20000 for me was great color but no coral growth and after 6 months coral was on the verge of dieing - went to Aqualine 10000 very white half way decent growth but wish I could have added some actinics to tank but on a corner unit have no room - Am interested in Pheonix 14000 color though - if AA has them please post and if you like the tint from them.