What bulb would you choose and why?

[peef]

Hey there reef heads! So I am going to get a new bulb for my NC. I currently have a 150w MH 14k with 2 18w PC actinics. I have never really paid that much attention to brand of bulb or what k, as I have just stuck with the 14k. What would you recommend to me and why?
So far on the nano.....tuner.....website (I wish SWF had bulbs for me I would definetly buy here first.) I am looking at the following
Aquamedic 150w 20,000K I know that higher K gives more color but slower growth. At least I think so.
Ushio 150w 20000k.
Or the Phoenix 14000k
Anyother brands that you think are just plain amazing please let me know what kind and why you think they are just so dang amazing! If anyone has any before/after pics of what it looked like with bulb A and then with bulb B put em up!
Thanks for all the help!

 

[fishfreak1242]

The higher the K the more blue the color is and the lower is yellower. I wouldnt get a 20k unless you want a really blue tank. They are too blue for my taste and 10k is a little too white. So Ive been using a pheonix 14k. That plus my t5 actinics give a perfect balance of blue and white.

 

[peef]

So the whole tank actually does have a "blue" hue to it? Doesn't it affect the actuall colors of the coral?
Also Anyone know anything about the Sapphire Nanoskimmer NC24? I am about to go look for user reviews but figured I would ask here first.

 

[fishfreak1242]

Originally Posted by peef
http:///forum/post/2734403
So the whole tank actually does have a "blue" hue to it? Doesn't it affect the actuall colors of the coral?
Also Anyone know anything about the Sapphire Nanoskimmer NC24? I am about to go look for user reviews but figured I would ask here first.
Yep pretty much. Forgot to mention, it does bring out more of the color in corals as a lower k would.

 

[smokingreefer]

I would go with the phoenix 14k. Best colors and growth rates.

 

[peef]

Hey reefer where in Kansas are you from?
I have heard lots of good things about phoenix. Whats the difference between them and the aquamedics?

 

[stanlalee]

Originally Posted by peef
http:///forum/post/2734427
Hey reefer where in Kansas are you from?
I have heard lots of good things about phoenix. Whats the difference between them and the aquamedics?
the aquamedic 20k is not that popular but the aquamedic aqualine 10000 13k is an excellent bulb (sometimes advertised as a 10k bulb but its the same 13k bulb). I would bet my last dollar its a bit better growth bulb than the pheonix as its usually a top 3 PAR performer in all sanjay test for most configurations and wattages. the aqualine bulb isn't a blue bulb, its white with no yellow and the slightest hint of blue. If you like bulbs on the bluer side the phoenix seems like the one to get. I am not crazy about blue tint as to me they make some corals look better at the expense of bluing up stuff thats not suppose to be blue like sand and corals that dont pop with blue. I'm still dying to try the phoenix just because ALL these people cant be wrong about how nice it looks (I hope).

 

[peef]

Ok so aqua 10000/13k or the Phoenix. I will go and look up the user reviews now. Thanks for the help!