Reefobsession
New member
I'm telling you, it is hard to beat a 400w radium on a lumenbright pendent with a lunateck hqi ballast. I have the ballast that can change from 250,250hqi,400,400hqi
30"x30"x24" SPS tank: 400w, 250w MHs or LEDs?
- Thread starter Radioheadx14
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Radioheadx14
Active member
Is the lunateck a pulse start ballast? I want to run this bulb to spec, so the bulb lasts longer.
Did you see this tank? it is just about the same dimensions as yours (36x36x24) and is running a 400W:
" ... using a SE 400w 20k Radium bulb on a PFO HQI ballast... "
http://reefcentral.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1288059
" ... using a SE 400w 20k Radium bulb on a PFO HQI ballast... "
http://reefcentral.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1288059
Radioheadx14
Active member
Is there a nice and easy chart with par ratings of different 400w lamps?
I keep seeing contradictory information with 400w radium lamps. Some say using electronic ballasts are the way to go, then I read electronic ballasts cause them to run whiter, over driving them and shortening their life span. Is there a dramatic PAR difference with overdriving them compared to running them at spec (pulse start like the blue wave I)
BTW, that is a nice tank!
I keep seeing contradictory information with 400w radium lamps. Some say using electronic ballasts are the way to go, then I read electronic ballasts cause them to run whiter, over driving them and shortening their life span. Is there a dramatic PAR difference with overdriving them compared to running them at spec (pulse start like the blue wave I)
BTW, that is a nice tank!
orangekush4
New member
There is no way the 250 radium on HQI is the same as the 400. I ran 2 250 radiums and changed them out for 1 400 on a lumateck and the 400 almost burned my LPS. Lumateck burns the radium 400 at about 430.
franklypre
New member
I have a 58 show(36*18*22)with an Icecap 400w DE. Love it the 20k isn't too blue the SPS grow like mad, heat isn't an issue as I run an open top with fans. My evap is 5gal every 2.5 days but the temp swings .8 degrees from on to off. I wouln't do the 250 if you want a full SPS setup, maybe if you wanted just the top with SPS and some LPS on the bottom. I have birdsnests and have even noticed growth on frags of acros on the bottom of my tank.
Radioheadx14
Active member
Ok, I think I've decided on a bulb ballast choice, but I need some help.
I am going to go with an XM20k bulb with an M59 ballast (the 129 PPFD from Sanjay's article sold me.) And a lumenbright III pendant reflector.
Are these good bulbs with out actinic supplementation?
What is the best M59 ballast and where can I find it?
I read that helios had shakey quality, but that was from a forum discussion from 2008 I found on google.
I have decided against radiums. They sound like great bulbs when over driven, but the bulb life is terrible. and when driving by a m135 ballast, their PAR is a lot lower.
Or is there another good lamp I am leaving out?
I am going to go with an XM20k bulb with an M59 ballast (the 129 PPFD from Sanjay's article sold me.) And a lumenbright III pendant reflector.
Are these good bulbs with out actinic supplementation?
What is the best M59 ballast and where can I find it?
I read that helios had shakey quality, but that was from a forum discussion from 2008 I found on google.
I have decided against radiums. They sound like great bulbs when over driven, but the bulb life is terrible. and when driving by a m135 ballast, their PAR is a lot lower.
Or is there another good lamp I am leaving out?
orangekush4
New member
That is a good combo:thumbsup:. XM 20k in the 400 is very nice on a M59. You wont need any supplement lighting.
The Radium is a far better bulb than the xm20k. I had the 250w xm20k on a magnetic ballast and it put out 700ppfd on the surface when new. In 5 months it was putting out about 400. Plus it looks like Windex. My 250 Radium on m80 ballast put out 1200 when new, and 1100 10 months later. These were both 10" from the bulb in a Lumenmax2 reflector. My 400 Radium on a Lumatek ballast maxed out the par meter at 2000 at about 12".
Reefer08
New member
+1 400w Radium is pretty hard to beat!
But the Lumenbright pendant is a bad choice for this tank dimension. I had a Lumenbright Lrg on my 36x24x18 and I was not happy. I switched to a Lumenarc Large and im super happy with it, great spread and intensity. Id go with the new Galaxy select a watt ballasts and 400w radium bulb plus some T5 supplements.
If electricity is a concern, then an 8 bulb 24" powermodule will work great also.
FoothillCorals
Premium Member
I have a 30x20x24 SPS system. I used to run a 250w with 4 t-5s retros. I have since changed to 10x24w T5s and could not be happier. I run a 6x24 and a 4x24 ATI Sunpowers mounted in my canopy. My colors are much better now and the lights do not heat the tank anymore. Also tanks with a single MH do not have very even light spread, in some cases your corals may only iluminated from one side. With T-5s it is much more even.
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