Anyone using Helios or EVC 20K 250watt DE Bulbs?

[ReefManX]

If so, please share your experience with this bulb. I'm hoping it is a true blue DE bulb.

Or perhaps someone can recommend another brand of 20K de bulb? I am currently running Phoenix 14K on an M80 ballast and the color is pure white, I'm looking for something with more blue.

[The Grim Reefer]

I've ran the EVC 14K DE's, they are pretty blue for a 14K IMO. I've ran the Helios 20K's but in a 150 watt only. They were too blue for my taste.

[Horace]

I've ran the EVC 14K DE's, they are pretty blue for a 14K IMO. I've ran the Helios 20K's but in a 150 watt only. They were too blue for my taste.

Welcome bro! Reefland just gained a great asset in you!

[ReefManX]

Thanks for the input Grim! BTW have you had any experience with the Phoenix 14K DE being a pure white instead of blue? Everyone says they are a blue bulb and in the 150 version driven by M81 ballasts I would agree, however the 250s driven on M80 ballasts are a pure white with my setup. Perhaps the Helios 20k are the way to guy if I am looking for a truly blue bulb?

[golfish]

! BTW have you had any experience with the Phoenix 14K DE being a pure white instead of blue?

I'm slowly swapping out my 400 watt SE 20K XM for 250 watt DE Phoenix bulbs. Right now I'm running a 400 watt 20K XM (about 5 months old) on a PFO standard (M59) ballast and a 250 watt Phoenix (5 days old) on a Blue wave (M80) ballast. Both bulbs are housed in Reef Optix pendants. The color is almost identical. I'm kind of hoping the Phoenix bulbs will burn a little whiter as time goes on.

[ReefManX]

Although I believe your statement Golfish it seems to contradict the data Sanjay has on his site. If you compare a 400watt XM 20K on an M59 against a 250watt Phoenix 14K on an M80, the XM spikes consideraly higher in the ~400nm range. Looking at the graphs it would seem the XM would burn much bluer and brighter, perhaps the XM is overpowering the Phoenix while they are both lit?

[golfish]

Although I believe your statement Golfish it seems to contradict the data Sanjay has on his site. If you compare a 400watt XM 20K on an M59 against a 250watt Phoenix 14K on an M80, the XM spikes consideraly higher in the ~400nm range. Looking at the graphs it would seem the XM would burn much bluer and brighter, perhaps the XM is overpowering the Phoenix while they are both lit?

I did the bulb, ballast comparison at Sanjay's site a few weeks ago. The Phoenix is still new so things might change. If anything the Phoenix is a little brighter\whiter.

[The Grim Reefer]

Thanks for the input Grim! BTW have you had any experience with the Phoenix 14K DE being a pure white instead of blue? Everyone says they are a blue bulb and in the 150 version driven by M81 ballasts I would agree, however the 250s driven on M80 ballasts are a pure white with my setup. Perhaps the Helios 20k are the way to guy if I am looking for a truly blue bulb?

The only Phoenix lamp I have seen looked shinny white with a tad of blue. The Helios 250 watt 20K has the most PAR of the 20K lamps Sanjay has tested so that wouldn't be a bad choice.

[Reefland]

Hi ReefManX and The Grim Reefer,