New Phoenix 14k 150w Bulbs

gatorwpb

gatorwpb

Active Member
As promised (to spanko at least) pics of the tank fresh with the new pair of 150w Phoenix 14k bulbs. This is after one hour of run time. I will try to document the burn in so that I can see the color change to the actual color.
Its VERY blue right now, and almost a little purple looking in person. Freaked me out at first because I was so used to the 10k white with tint of blue.
You cant even tell a difference when the actinics are on. Im thinking of switching to 10k t-5s instead of the actinics, but we will see once it burns in what the color looks like. Bulbs are on 9 hrs a day. So 100 hours will be on the 23rd, but I will be in Vegas, so final burn in shots will be sometime around the 27th. But I will try and take progress shots too.
Stats:
2x150w bulbs in 36" Sunpod with 42w t-5 actinic (460nm).
One hour old Phoenix 14k.

1 year old Aqualine AB 10ks
 
gatorwpb

gatorwpb

Active Member
Originally Posted by jrthomas40
http:///forum/post/2720810
i like the phoenix
thanks! Im sure that the color of the bulbs will only get better as they burn in.
My decision was between these and the 20k Radiums, as spanko and several others have said they prefer the radiums over the phoenix.
Im also hoping that I can get more color out of my corals (although I really like them now).
 
spanko

spanko

Active Member
Well done. Looks great with the new bulbs. I would expect you will start to see some color morphing with the new bulbs.
 
stanlalee

stanlalee

Active Member
I'll be tagging along intensely as its the exact fixture and bulbs I'm considering. I've had the AB bulb in the past and am pretty well impressed with the growth from it but all this talk of how nice pheonix and radium bulbs look I'm tempted to try them. Usually they look to blue to me in photo's but I might like them better in person. pics so far dont help, I like both looks. perhaps if you ugly up the tank some so I can focus on the actual lighting it might help
 
gatorwpb

gatorwpb

Active Member
spanko has claimed that the radium has higher par... but conveniently lost the link to the website.
Ive seen his pics of the radium vs. phoenix and they both look great. also other people's experiences are very positive with the radium.
Stanalee, i LOVED the AB bulbs. the par was amazing on them and the color spectrum had a spike at 420nm that really added some color to my corals that the stock 14k bulbs did not.
but now that my tank has grown in, I liked the idea of getting even more color out of the corals. I dont mind sacrificing some growth to get the colors. Ive documented on the SPS forum my growth progress and its been pretty dramatic.
So tag along. Ill hopefully update pics every 4-5 days or as I notice changes in color.
 
gatorwpb

gatorwpb

Active Member
Well here it is after about 27 hours. I was struggling to make sure I had the same settings on the camera, but I think I have it now. Only difference I can see is that it appears to be just a tad brighter.
 
gatorwpb

gatorwpb

Active Member
Originally Posted by nycbob
http:///forum/post/2724994
amazing shots! sometimes i so wanted to switch to mh from t5.
Your tank looks great under the t5s. I think if I would have had a slightly shallower tank, I would have considered t5 because of the flexibility with bulbs. but the shimmer effect closes the deal for the mh.
I was very hesitant to switch to a 14k bulb from the 10k, but everyday im liking it more.
I just might switch the t5 act for t5 10k, but they are NO t5s so I think it will add some extra par withouth affecting the phoenix coloration much.
 
gatorwpb

gatorwpb

Active Member
OK here are the bulbs with about 150 hours of burn in time. Im very happy with the way they look. Even noticing some growth in the acros over the short time Ive had them.
Almost the same to me, maybe the colors are a little bit richer looking.
 
paintballer768

paintballer768

Active Member
Wow very impressed by the Phoenix. My 14k Current-USA stock bulb is white as white gets, so Im thinking of buying a 20k Radium. Thats a nice blue but Im looking for a littleee bit more.
EDIT: Anyone have any tank run ONLY on a 20k Radium, so I can compare? Thanks
 
gatorwpb

gatorwpb

Active Member
spanko should have some pictures of the radium for you.
My sunpod came with stock 14k bulbs and they were whiter than my 10k Aqualine AB bulbs.
The Phoenix is just looking great!
Side Shot!!
 
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