snostorm Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 Well Its bulb time and I almost bought a 14k Phoenix. Running a 20k Ushio now. Im a blue addict though. What are the bluest 20k MH bulbs on the market? I was looking at a Radium 20k. Link to comment
slippy steve Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 I just left 20k ushio for a 14k phoenix. I love it. It isn't as blue, but an awesome color. Link to comment
jamesnmandy Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 also look at the XM 20k, you are looking for blue, not par...keep that in mind, you requested color over par Link to comment
snostorm Posted March 30, 2009 Author Share Posted March 30, 2009 I just left 20k ushio for a 14k phoenix. I love it. It isn't as blue, but an awesome color. How does it compare? My Ushio doesnt seem very blue. How is the color of the Phoenix? Brighter? Do your corals pop as much as the 20k Ushio? also look at the XM 20k, you are looking for blue, not par...keep that in mind, you requested color over par Yes I know. Im not planning any SPS. Shrooms, GSP, Rics, and I plan on some LPS. Link to comment
slippy steve Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 The ushio definitely whitens over time. The colors pop a lot with the phoenix, it is like this really cool ice/blue color instead of the darker blue with the ushio. bulb recommendation is hard, I really like it though. Link to comment
davidr2340 Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 Radium is pretty blue... What type of ballast will you be using with it? Link to comment
snostorm Posted March 30, 2009 Author Share Posted March 30, 2009 I have a Sunpod so Electronic ballast I think. And I was wondering if my Ushio has been whitining over time. Its about a year old. Link to comment
davidr2340 Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 I have a Sunpod so Electronic ballast I think. And I was wondering if my Ushio has been whitining over time. Its about a year old. Right on. I've heard that are more blue under different ballast. Link to comment
snostorm Posted March 30, 2009 Author Share Posted March 30, 2009 This process is starting to become a PITA. Im ultimatly looking for something different then the Ushio 20k, but I like the Blue. Was alomst set on the Phoenix 14k but am not convinved its blue enough for my taste. Now I am leaning torwads the Radium...........or XM.......... Link to comment
evilc66 Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 XM is blue, no question. It is a lot dimmer than the other bulbs by comparison. Ever thought about actinics to add more blue? Link to comment
reefdan Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 radium 150w on a sunpod is less blue than phoenix 150w on sunpod. imo, the phoenix blue washes out the tank a bit. the radium is less blue but the colors still pop Link to comment
snostorm Posted March 30, 2009 Author Share Posted March 30, 2009 radium 150w on a sunpod is less blue than phoenix 150w on sunpod. imo, the phoenix blue washes out the tank a bit. the radium is less blue but the colors still pop Really? Even being 14k vs 20k with the Phoenix vs Radium. I have been reading some really positive reviews about the Radiums...... XM is blue, no question. It is a lot dimmer than the other bulbs by comparison. Ever thought about actinics to add more blue? Yes I did but my tank is a 29g AGA and the Sunpod takes up alot of real estate. I was looking for some really thin T5 fixtures that mght fit with the sunpod but it seems my options are limited. Link to comment
Mr. Fosi Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 XM is blue, no question. It is a lot dimmer than the other bulbs by comparison. Dimmer to your eye and to PAR meters... Just b/c all the light is blue to deep blue which is where your eye and PAR meters are less sensitive. I am sure it is kicking out plenty of energy. Link to comment
evilc66 Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 I have elluded to this in some other posts in other threads, but I may have a super slim actinic solution that will add about an inch of total width and give killer fluorescence and blue color. Link to comment
kate2118 Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 i have the same dilemma. not sure if i should go with the Phoenix or the Radium... don't want super blue, just more color than my stock mh bulb is giving me. I'll be following along on this one to see what everyone thinks... Link to comment
greatdanelover Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 If you like blue then get a BlueLine 20k from www.championlighting.com it will blow you away I have a friend who has one and it's blue as hell I think you will like it. Link to comment
evilc66 Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 proceed.... Soon. Gotta polish off the prototype first. Link to comment
slippy steve Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 good deal, I have an outlet ready open and ready. Link to comment
glennr1978 Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 radium 150w on a sunpod is less blue than phoenix 150w on sunpod. imo, the phoenix blue washes out the tank a bit. the radium is less blue but the colors still pop that^. Really? Even being 14k vs 20k with the Phoenix vs Radium. I have been reading some really positive reviews about the Radiums...... The phoenix is really a 20k labeled as a 14k. It is definitely bluer than a 150w radium 20k. fwiw, I'm running radiums over my tank now and won't even consider another lamp at this point. IMO, the phoenix is junk in comparison. The radium doesn't wash out the tank like a phoenix does. i have the same dilemma. not sure if i should go with the Phoenix or the Radium... don't want super blue, just more color than my stock mh bulb is giving me. I'll be following along on this one to see what everyone thinks... radium, hands down. Link to comment
miniwhinny Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 Soon. Gotta polish off the prototype first. no fair Link to comment
yardboy Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 I'm using EVC 20K's over my tank, highest PAR for a 20K (not considering a Phoenix 14K as a 20K, it's labelled 14K) and they are nicely blue. But then, before and after the metal halides I'm using VHO Super Actinics, can't get much bluer than that. (resist evilc66, resist )If you really want to find the bluest bulb, just go to Joshi's site and compare Well, the Phoenix is somewhat brighter, but not greatly, and the EVC sure looks bluer Link to comment
Mr. Fosi Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 Where's that spectrograph come from? I wonder if those intensities are actually directly comparable or not. I wonder if some of the deeper color of the EVC is caused by that largeish peak below 420 nm, though that is near the lower limit for the human eye. Overall, they look very similar which is cool. EDIT: I see you added the source. Link to comment
yardboy Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 Main thing is when you're way down there skirting the UV you have a lot more energy for fluoresence. the colors definitely "pop" under them. I often have to edit to get everything in. Maybe that's why my post count is low. Link to comment
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