20k bulb tank shots

[reefnewbie54321]

Everyone agrees that 20k metal halide bulbs are the way to go to bring out the best color of your zoos correct?

I want to use the 20k bulbs but I dont want my tank to look too blue like I see alot. I see some tanks and it looks like they are only running actinics!

Does anyone have a full tank shot of what there tank looks like with there 20k bulbs + actinics on?

Thanks

 

[Zoalander]

Here you go, 150 watt DE Coralife Bulb. Only 20K I've used because I love how it doesnt saturate my tank with blue light.

and some zoas close-up with the same lighting.

 

[reefnewbie54321]

is there a big difference in the bulb you use?

The 20k bulbs that go with my retrofit I ordered from HelloLights are

175w 20k Coralife $89
175w 20k XM $59

I have a single ended base so bulbs are limited

 

[Zoalander]

I heard the 20K XM's are real blue but dont quote me on it.

 

[Kaykay55]

You have nice zoos!!

 

[Ti]

Those are awesome zoos

 

[surfnvb7]

pcitures of 20k bulbs are going to be too objective

the amount of blue from a 20k bulb differes pretty severely from brand to brand. and if you take the same 20k bulb, and differ the type of ballast, that will greatly influence how much blue color there is.

for example....XM20k's on electronic ballasts...waaaaaaaaaaay too much blue. XM20k's on magnetic ballasts, less blue, and more intense.

radium 20k on electronic ballast, ridiculous uber blue. on a PFO HQI ballast.........very nice crisp white/blue. add some actinics and i'd say this is about equal to a stand alone XM20k bulb, on a magnetic ballast.

IMO...if the sand is blue....then thats too much blue. i love the XM20k for how it makes the zoas look, but looking at blue sand gives me a headache :lol:

 

[surfnvb7]

then theres the whole white balancing on the digital camera. thats also makes a huge difference with pictures that look way too blue.

 

[reefnewbie54321]

This is the kit I have

http://www.hellolights.com/17methalbalk.html

Also have

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=13637&N=2004+113345

I can switch the actnics out of my compact fixture if stuff looks to blue or add some if stuff doesnt look blue enough. I have the 48" model with 4 65w PC's.

 

[reefman23]

The radiums have the best PAR available in a 20,000k too... especially on a PFO HQI ballast. That is the lamp I'm getting soon.

Jesse

 

[surfnvb7]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7362536#post7362536 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefman23
The radiums have the best PAR available in a 20,000k too... especially on a PFO HQI ballast. That is the lamp I'm getting soon.

Jesse

while that may be true...b/c of the nature of the HQI ballast, according to data....instead of the ballast/bulb operating at 250w, it really is operating around 330w. thus severely over driving the bulb. everyone has said the radium has a HUUUGE drop off in PAR at the 4month range. so expect to spend $90 every 4-6months....ouch, that definitely hurts the wallet.

 

[reefman23]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7362617#post7362617 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by surfnvb7
while that may be true...b/c of the nature of the HQI ballast, according to data....instead of the ballast/bulb operating at 250w, it really is operating around 330w. thus severely over driving the bulb. everyone has said the radium has a HUUUGE drop off in PAR at the 4month range. so expect to spend $90 every 4-6months....ouch, that definitely hurts the wallet.

So do the rest of the lamps hold up longer or something? I have read that even with an HQI ballast, you still get 8-12 months from the lamp.

Just curious... Ive never heard that about the Radiums...just want to research them a little more before I buy.

Jesse

p.s. I have a 150 watter...

 

[surfnvb7]

HQI ballasts are normally used for DE bulbs. the bulb life for these bulbs is the normal 8-12 months like you have read.

however, in order to run some specially made european SE bulbs (like radium), they can only be fired on either an electronic ballast, or an HQI ballast.

Radium bulbs are SE (single ended) bulbs, and they are only made in 250w and 400w versions.

 

[reefman23]

There is a 150 watt HQI version of the radium... here is a link...
http://bluezooaquatics.com/livestock/product_info.php?id=578

Sanjay has even rated it over on his site.

Jesse

 

[surfnvb7]

wow, never would have thought that. i havent seen that bulb on other sites i normally get my stuff.

in any case, you should expect this bulb to be VERY blue. probably alot bluer than the XM 20k.

 

[reefnewbie54321]

anyone have a suggestion wich bulb i should buy?

This is the kit I have

http://www.hellolights.com/17methalbalk.html

Also have

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produ...7&N=2004+113345

I can switch the actnics out of my compact fixture if stuff looks to blue or add some if stuff doesnt look blue enough. I have the 48" model with 4 65w PC's.

 

[ScotchMaster]

I not sure if they make the Phoenix 14K bulbs in SE but I love my Phoenix 14K DE bulb

 

[surfnvb7]

they do make a 150w DE HQI version of the pheonix 14k bulb. i've heard its quite good. not too much blue.

too much blue will cause colors in the pink/red spectrum to wash out, and look purple.

but if you want ridiculous amounts of blue, you could try the radium DE bulb. i've never heard anything about it so that makes me think theres a reason not many people get it, or not many places carry it.

i think theres also a ushio 50k bulb. yes, 50k :eek2:

 

[ScotchMaster]

I know they make both a 250 watt DE (what I have) and also a 150 DE but Im not so sure about a single ended....I hear the Hamilton 14K SE bulbs are pretty nice

 

[reefman23]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7366241#post7366241 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by surfnvb7
they do make a 150w DE HQI version of the pheonix 14k bulb. i've heard its quite good. not too much blue.

too much blue will cause colors in the pink/red spectrum to wash out, and look purple.

but if you want ridiculous amounts of blue, you could try the radium DE bulb. i've never heard anything about it so that makes me think theres a reason not many people get it, or not many places carry it.

i think theres also a ushio 50k bulb. yes, 50k :eek2:

If you run the radium on a HQI ballast, it isnt going to be as blue as you are saying. Bulbs run whiter on these ballasts. Even an eletronic ballast runs these radiums less blue than the 20,000k XM lamps...

Jesse