Anyone running 400W Radiums on their SPS tank?

IMG_343520Small.jpg



Not sure why that does not work.

This is the 12k reeflux with 320watts of VHO actinic. The radiums look the same, only brighter.


If you go to www.ctars.org then members tanks then Steve Dohoney you can find more pics
 
Love the pics guys.

Im debating whether to swich to Radiams or XM 20K's.

I really dont like the idea of changing bulbs every six months, plus I would have to change ballats if I were to go with the Radiums.

So far its looking like 20K Xm's.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7515020#post7515020 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SunnyX
Love the pics guys.

Im debating whether to swich to Radiams or XM 20K's.

I really dont like the idea of changing bulbs every six months, plus I would have to change ballats if I were to go with the Radiums.

So far its looking like 20K Xm's.

I was 51% to 49% between the radiums on HQI and XM on M59's. I hate the idea of changing bulbs every six months as well, but who am I kidding I want something new by then anyway. :)
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7515063#post7515063 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by REEF-DADDY
I was 51% to 49% between the radiums on HQI and XM on M59's. I hate the idea of changing bulbs every six months as well, but who am I kidding I want something new by then anyway. :)

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Your exactly like me. I dont think I have ever had a bulb in my tank longer then 6 months anyway.
 
I've also been thinking of trying the XM20K's. Just been hesitant, cause I hear they look a bit purple with an HQI ballast.

Here are some shots I just took of all 3 sides. This is a 400W Radium with a PFO/HQI ballast:

June7left.jpg


June7middle.jpg


June7right.jpg


I'm sure you can tell by all the shading that I don't have actinics;)
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7515202#post7515202 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Unarce
I've also been thinking of trying the XM20K's. Just been hesitant, cause I hear they look a bit purple with an HQI ballast.

Here are some shots I just took of all 3 sides. This is a 400W Radium with a PFO/HQI ballast:


The ppfd drops to 97 on the XM's with an hqi ballast, funny because its like 137 for them on an M59. Your at about 147 with your current combo. No wonder we can't figure out lighting once and for all.

That being said I can't wait to see the 14k Iwaski's in 250 and 400W! Could be another switch for me. Those bad boys run 97 ppfd with a 175W bulb!
 
Last edited:
Unarce, I saw your pics on Reefs.org, do you like the radiums more than the Reeflux 10K?

My setup will be similar to yours: 40x40x30 with a single halide and no actinics...
 
by REEF-DADDY
That being said I can't wait to see the 14 Iwaski's in 250 and 400 W! Could be another switch for me. Those bad boys run 97 ppfd with a 175 w bulb!

I remember Sanjay was raving about these at WMC. If they're just as blue, I'll definitely switch.
 
by Ceak
Unarce, I saw your pics on Reefs.org, do you like the radiums more than the Reeflux 10K?

My setup will be similar to yours: 40x40x30 with a single halide and no actinics...

I do like the Radiums more at this point. I might have felt different if I had an E-ballast. I loved how the Reeflux made everything blue just pop, but all the other colors were just so-so.

As a standalone bulb, the Radium/HQI combo is pretty good.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7515352#post7515352 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ceak
Unarce, I saw your pics on Reefs.org, do you like the radiums more than the Reeflux 10K?

My setup will be similar to yours: 40x40x30 with a single halide and no actinics...

I ran the 250 12k and 10k both on an Eballast. 10k too pink for me, 12k too slow growth. My 10k bulbs may have been defective however. They were actually replaced under warranty, at which point I went 12k.


OK too much posting too little work. cya
 
400 watt bulb comparison

Radium 20,000 K = 147 PAR, 471 Power, .3121 Efficiency
Most replace these bulbs after 6 months

XM 20,000K = 128 PAR, 466 Power, .2747 Efficiency
Most replace these bulbs after 12 months

In my opinion XM's hold coral color as well as a Radium and you don't have to change them as often and use a little less power

millepair.jpg
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7515517#post7515517 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by stuckey_t
Isn't the PAR actually 128 on an M59 ballast for a 400 watt 20,000K XM, the PFO HQI ballast drops them to 98 PAR

You are correct.

The 137 PAR is actually the PAR of te 10K XM on a 250W m58.

www.Hellolights.com has the the 400W PRO Series M59, with the purchase you get any XM bulb for $25. Plus 10% off your total order for using the code RCONLY.

Looks like a sweet deal to me.
 
I’m running two 400W Radiums on my 125. I have two PFO Pulse Start ballasts. There are no actinics on in this photo. I really like the crisp ice blue color they have. Heat has been a real issue for me so I had to buy a chiller. Bulbs are 9” off the water and the tank is 21” deep…

20060504_full_tank.jpg
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7515552#post7515552 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by stuckey_t
400 watt bulb comparison

Radium 20,000 K = 147 PAR, 471 Power, .3121 Efficiency
Most replace these bulbs after 6 months

XM 20,000K = 128 PAR, 466 Power, .2747 Efficiency
Most replace these bulbs after 12 months

In my opinion XM's hold coral color as well as a Radium and you don't have to change them as often and use a little less power ]


sorry going by memory from research. Hey I was only off by 9 ppfd right?

Also something to keep in mind for any newbies reading this thread PAR is a different metric that PPFD. The PAR on either of those bulbs is likely around 600-700 without a reflector and maybe 900 with a good one. Not to say they don't speak to the same thing.
 
Back
Top