Metal Halide Suggestions Needed

woody189

woody189

Member
Hi. I know this topic has been discussed 100's of times but...
I have a 46 gal tanks w/ a Sunpod MH fixture. It's 2 X 150W bulbs.
I bought it used, so IDK how old the bulbs are. I'm going to replace, and would like some help choosing replacement bulbs. This is my 1st shot at corals, I currently have only a green hairy mushroom. I plan on going for the difficult corals once I get more experience, but I plan on getting shrooms, zoas, xenia, and kenya tree very soon. Before that I would like to replace my bulbs since IDK how old they are.
I would like some 150W suggestions. I'm thinking 14K, but now sure. I would like a descent amount of blue, but from my understanding, too much blue means sacrificing growth.
Any suggestions?? Thanks.
 
fanker

fanker

Active Member
the new 20ks have insane par which they didnt used to have many people use them now. i would go 20k and with 2x150w mh 20k is enough for pretty much anything
 
bs21

bs21

Member
its up to you i like the 14ks. the 20ks are to blue for me. but all preference like it was said above new 20k are becoming more and more popular with some good growth.
 
woody189

woody189

Member
Thanks...both of you
But Any specific bulbs/brands. I heard that just because a certain brand may make a good 250W bulb, their 150W may not be as good and so on. I was wondering if anyone had any specific bulb ideas I could look into.
 
elijaher

elijaher

New Member
Depends of the coral you will be added to your tank. If you going to add mostly small frags 10k will be fine temporary, Once you have good growth. Upgrade to 12k to improve your colors.
 
jackri

jackri

Active Member
You can get a really nice blue and good growth with the Phoenix 14k's.
I just switched to those and been VERY happy with them... you can check out the pictures in this thread --- first are 10k's with actnics... second is 14k phoenix with the same actnics... https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/347418/jackris-90g-reef
 
woody189

woody189

Member
Thanks.
Originally Posted by jackri http:///forum/post/3005083
You can get a really nice blue and good growth with the Phoenix 14k's.
I just switched to those and been VERY happy with them... you can check out the pictures in this thread --- first are 10k's with actnics... second is 14k phoenix with the same actnics... https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/347418/jackris-90g-reef
There is def a noticable difference, and I like the 14k much better.
Spanko..
The radiums 20k's are really nice, but they are also pretty pricey.
I think I might just go w/ the Pheonix 14k.
both of your tanks look amazing.
 
woody189

woody189

Member
Henry...did you have any actinics in your 1st pic?? OR was that just the Phoenix bulbs by themselves?
I think I'm just gonna go w/ 14K's. I think the 20's might be a little too much blue for me.
Is there a unanimous decision for Phoenix? I know Jack likes them and Spanko, you used to have them.
Should I make the purchase? 150W 14K Phoenix. This is my 1st time replacing the bulbs so I would like to make sure, these will fit/work fine w/ my Sunpod fixture correct?
 
deejeff442

deejeff442

Active Member
i dont even know they came with the system.
only had it for a month.
i had 2 175 1000k bulbs before and the coraline and corals seem to florish alot better with the 15000k
 
spanko

spanko

Active Member
No actinics on either shot. The Phoenix are much darker blue to me, the Radium are brighter. You will probably get better growth with the Phoenix 14k though. You will probably get better color with the Radium 20k.
Really a personal preference isn't it.
 
woody189

woody189

Member
k. thanks jeff.
Originally Posted by spanko
http:///forum/post/3005671
No actinics on either shot. The Phoenix are much darker blue to me, the Radium are brighter. You will probably get better growth with the Phoenix 14k though. You will probably get better color with the Radium 20k.
Really a personal preference isn't it.
It's hard to decide by looking at pics online. I'm gonna go to some LFS's and see what they have. Hopefully they have the bulbs I'm looking for in use though.
what do you mean by better color though? Will it influence their actual color, or will the colors just stand out more with the 20k's?
 
spanko

spanko

Active Member
Higher kelvin lights will definitely affect color. Some propagators will run their frag tanks under 10k lights to increase growth. Then a few weeks prior to sale they will run 14 or 20k bulbs to enhavce the color in the coral.
 
woody189

woody189

Member
Originally Posted by spanko
http:///forum/post/3005827
Higher kelvin lights will definitely affect color. Some propagators will run their frag tanks under 10k lights to increase growth. Then a few weeks prior to sale they will run 14 or 20k bulbs to enhavce the color in the coral.
Gotcha.
Originally Posted by bs21
http:///forum/post/3005845
i run the pheonix 14ks
AND.......
(experiences?)
 
bs21

bs21

Member
Lol i have had no problems as i said in my first post i prefer them. the tank is bright but i still get good colors and growth. The 20k is jus to blue for me.
 
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