Need info: I just changed my MH bulbs

[daniella3d]

I would go with what you like (ushio 10k), since each bulb is quite different and the only way to get exactly what you had and what you like is to buy the same thing.

Originally Posted by globaldesigns

Ah rats, no one is open yet... So I am thinking, and YES it hurts!

I was running Ushio 10K, and I loved them, very very white. I didn't like the Pheonix 14K as it was not as bright and too blue.... What do you all think about Ushio 14K's? I am thinking they will probably be brighter than the Pheonix, but never seen them. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[Lampshade]

I agree most are different, i had a 175W 10K on my last tank that must have been 12K or above. I've been using 250W XM 10K's with a PFO ballast on my new tank, and they are bright white, Don't look yellow at all to me, white, but not yellow. For the record my room is painted yellow, so probably would offset any "yellow" look that comes from the bulbs. It's like painting, same color in 2 differnet rooms looks night and day different.

[globaldesigns]

Originally Posted by Lampshade

I agree most are different, i had a 175W 10K on my last tank that must have been 12K or above. I've been using 250W XM 10K's with a PFO ballast on my new tank, and they are bright white, Don't look yellow at all to me, white, but not yellow. For the record my room is painted yellow, so probably would offset any "yellow" look that comes from the bulbs. It's like painting, same color in 2 differnet rooms looks night and day different.

Great info... No LFS have any bulbs, but did find 2 XM 250W 10k's, and for a good price so I got them. They will have to burn in, but when googling most are stating what you said... They are very white, so I am giving them a try, if no good then back to the Ushio's and I will have to order them.

[globaldesigns]

Well, the XM 250W 10000K bulbs have been running for a few hours now. In no way have they completed the burn in period, but I can say I like this brand.

Compared to the Ushio 10000K's, which were really really white... The XM I think has a better spectrum of light. The bulb isn't as intense, but the overal spectrum is nicer and the coral, rock and fish look nicer. The tank overall looks boutiqish, elegant. If you know what I mean.

I look forward to seeing what these bulbs end up putting out after a week or so. If these bulbs keep improving with the burn in, I think I will have a new favourite.

[DiverDude]

This doesn't add up. 10K is 10K. If the Hamiltons are noticibly different then either they -or the Ushios- were not, in fact, 10K.

An analogy might be that you say the room is 20 Degrees C but the room is actually only 15 degrees. 15 is 15 and 20 is 20.

Of course, people can perceive colours differently but at the end of the day, 10K is....10K !

The only thing I can think of is that the way the bulbs are specified is loosy-goosy which might explain it but otherwise....

[Delphinus]

Originally Posted by DiverDude

The only thing I can think of is that the way the bulbs are specified is loosy-goosy

Afraid that's your explanation right there. If you look up Sanjay's lighting results he measures colour temp and just about none of them are actually what they say they are. It's just a product name but two different brands and what they label the same thing (10k 14k 20k whatever) could be very different alongside each other.

[globaldesigns]

Originally Posted by DiverDude

This doesn't add up. 10K is 10K. If the Hamiltons are noticibly different then either they -or the Ushios- were not, in fact, 10K.

An analogy might be that you say the room is 20 Degrees C but the room is actually only 15 degrees. 15 is 15 and 20 is 20.

Of course, people can perceive colours differently but at the end of the day, 10K is....10K !

The only thing I can think of is that the way the bulbs are specified is loosy-goosy which might explain it but otherwise....

Well that is the problem, there are NO standards that manufactures follow. I have used Pheonix, Ushio, Hamilton, Coralife and now XM... They are all different even though they were all the same (so called) rating/K

I guess that is why there are so many threads of bulb choices, as you can spend alot of money trying to figure out what you like.

[The Grizz]

When I had my 155BF with SE 250w MH I decided to give it a good on eBay for some bulbs. I forget the brand name of the bulb but I got what they classified as a 14000k and I must say they where a very nice white, not yellow at all. I am looking at getting 2 new MH fixture and I plan on ordering 4 new bulbs from the eBay seller I got the last ones at 14000k and also a 10000k & 22000k or actinic to see what that is like.