20k recommendation for sps

[fishguy597]

i cant run the radium 20k since i have a m59 ballest. i was thinking of going to a hamilton 400watt 20k. pros or cons ?anyone else use this?if so how did it do for your sps? any recommendations for sps? im running 400wt 14k now and would like a little more color from my sps.

 

[t4zalews]

ive always liked xm20k's as an alternative to radiums.

 

[JAustin]

Be glad you can't run Radium 400w SI bulbs, they are garbage since they lost their quality control and have been pumping a steady supply of pink bulbs.

I've ran XM's and loved them. I have Ushio 20K 400w bulbs now and they are great!

Ushio
XM's

good to go there!

 

[buy_baff]

Xm's

 

[allsps40]

For SE Radiums are the best, XM for DE. Believe it or not I have been having great results with Oddysea 20k 250w DE bulbs. Bulb and coral color is great and growth has not slowed down at all since I switched from Phoenix 14k. I used Coralife 20ks for years but growth was slow.

 

[t4zalews]

I've never received a pink radium bulb..but have received a pink hamilton 14k. I wouldn't fully trust them either

 

[aurora]

Reeflux 20K...not as deep blue as radium.

 

[dvanacker]

I have Radiums running on a M59 right now. Although its only been a month they are firing and running just fine (I know I didnt think it would work as well).

I also ran my M59 w/ the radium side by side to a Lumatek 400watt (superlumens not on) w/ a radium and the color was the same IMO.

That being said I dont find much difference in the XM 20k and the Radium. Ran two brand new bulds side by side and very little difference. Both great bulbs.

 

[frank88]

between all brands of 20000 Kalvin ...
which is less blue ...
(ie the one not too blue?)

 

[Top Water]

I do have to agree!

Be glad you can't run Radium 400w SI bulbs, they are garbage since they lost their quality control and have been pumping a steady supply of pink bulbs.

I've ran XM's and loved them. I have Ushio 20K 400w bulbs now and they are great!

Ushio
XM's

good to go there!

 

[seminolecpa]

The Ushio 20K plus bulbs seem very comprable to Radiums IMHO. Just make sure you get the 20K plus and not the standard 20K.

 

[bimmerzs]

Aquamaxx 14K's, same coloration as Radiums 20K's. You can checkout Sanjay's test of these bulb's to verify.

Cheers,

 

[fishguy597]

ya i think im leaning towards the xm's. i was looking for sanjays test but with out any luck. he does have one hell of a tank though. anyone know the link?

 

[cubsare1]

http://www.manhattanreefs.com/lighting

 

[Znut Reefer]

I use the XM 20K. I have heard the Ushio 20K plus are also good.

 

[frank88]

I use the XM 20K. I have heard the Ushio 20K plus are also good.

250 or 400?

 

[James404]

I use 250w radiums on lumatek ballasts and love the color, not too blue but just enough to make colors pop.

 

[seminolecpa]

250 or 400?

I have personally used the 400w radiums and the 400W Ushio 20K+ on both Icecap and Lumentek ballasts

 

[ryshark]

http://www.manhattanreefs.com/lighting

Is it just my computer or is this site not working properly? Maybe Christmas Eve overload.

 

[livingcorals]

Check out the Elos Spectra Chrome "Abyss" 20k.
If I get a better Cam for xmas I'll post up some pis but its natural colors with out
supplementing any extras. Works/looks great!