Best Metal Halide Bulb for SPS coloration

[xenon]

I ditched my GHL Mitras for some ReefBrite Halide Hybrids with 400w Radium 20K and the results were incredible. Let's just say LED is dead to me now. :lolspin:

I am being told the 400w Radium 20K are not as good as the 250w Phoenix 14K so I am looking for advice from the people who have used them both.

The application is for a 8ft x 4ft x 12" coral bed that is SPS only. Half the system is frags, the other half colonies.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[Realposition]

i have used both, with only 12" depth you could easily get away with using 250w but imo 400w 20k radium is the gold standard for sps

 

[captjab]

I can't say that I've ever heard that a 250w Phoenix is better than a 400w Radium, both are great bulbs, but it's tough to compare the two. Radium has always been my favorite halide.

 

[Peter Eichler]

IMO, Radiums are hands down the best MH bulbs for SPS color. I would seriously doubt the advice of someone claiming the Phoenix is better. I've used both the DE and mogul Phoenix bulbs, they good bulbs, but not as nice as the radium when it comes to coral color.

 

[jackson6745]

Ive had both, phoenix can't compare to 400w Radium.

 

[E36328i]

400w radium is king for a reason. It is simply the best.

 

[Bigcefa]

I switched from led to the same fixture I'm running a radium, wasn't even a question which bulb to run

 

[alebrun]

Been using phoenix 250 bulbs for 8 years now.. I'v had the best coloration and growth from them..

 

[Electrobes]

I honestly don't know is whether one is better than the other is significant enough to warrant that one is truly better than the other. I think you'll get great growth from both regardless which bulb you go with. I'll personally find out soon, as with my upgrade build I am going from my 14K Phoenix bulb to two Radiums a friend is giving me.

 

[xenon]

Great feedback, thanks guys. I just placed an order for more 400w fixtures to cover the entire 4x8 coral bed.

Considering the 12" depth. You don't feel its too much light to cause frags to bleach?

I can always dose some KZ Pohl's Xtra to combat SPS from bleaching out.

 

[hedgedrew]

Aqua connect 400w. 14 k. Blows them all away. Can get from germany. Has the violets and uv that lack in radium.

 

[Bill@IA]

Great feedback, thanks guys. I just placed an order for more 400w fixtures to cover the entire 4x8 coral bed.

Considering the 12" depth. You don't feel its too much light to cause frags to bleach?

I can always dose some KZ Pohl's Xtra to combat SPS from bleaching out.

How high AWL (Above Water Level) will you be hanging these fixtures?? Keep your PAR meter handy.
If your water is extremely nutrient poor, KZ Pohl's Xtra SPECIAL may be a better choice.

 

[Peter Eichler]

Great feedback, thanks guys. I just placed an order for more 400w fixtures to cover the entire 4x8 coral bed.

Considering the 12" depth. You don't feel its too much light to cause frags to bleach?

I can always dose some KZ Pohl's Xtra to combat SPS from bleaching out.

I would suggest the 250w radium if it's not too late... They last longer than the "400w" due the the 400w being over driven with the ballasts we have available in the US. This bulb was meant to be driven closer to 360w and out ballasts usually cause them to deteriorate pretty quickly. I also like the color of the 250w driven by an "HQI" ballast or an electronic ballast with an "HQI" setting slightly better than the 400w on an electronic ballast. Since your tank is not deep, the 250w is more than enough.

Lastly, Pohl's extra won't fight photo-inhibition, just lightening of corals from your nutrient levels being too low. In that case, a small dose of some type of nitrogen will probably have the same effect and be much cheaper.

 

[reeflover62]

I ran the 400 watt radium on tank but was way too blue with my electronic ballast. I like the xm 20k and reefflux 12k are great lamps and the corals look great.

 

[Tweaked]

That's a big frag tank lol. 3 250w radiums on m80 ballasts IMO.

 

[Big E]

I ran the 400 watt radium on tank but was way too blue with my electronic ballast. I like the xm 20k and reefflux 12k are great lamps and the corals look great.

Same here, the Radium is too blue........I used all three with an electronic ballast......the 12 Reeflux is the one I like best.

 

[reeflover62]

Aqua connect 400w. 14 k. Blows them all away. Can get from germany. Has the violets and uv that lack in radium.

I ran these also until they stopped making them and did a lot of research found out coralvue bought them out and the lamp was revamped is now called 14k Aquastar. I have a collection of about 8 different lamps and tried different ones over my tank to find the one that delivers the colors I liked best and it was between the aquaconnect and reeflux 12k by far on the majority of corals. The only reason I am running an xm 20k now is because my 30k lokani looks like poop:sad1: and only looked its best under this lamp.

 

[DaddyJax]

I ran only Reeflux bulbs and loved them. I used both 10k and 12k. If you dont have any supplemental blue then 12k is the way to go. 10k can be perfect, crisp white with all the colors just popping but you have to have the right ballasts or they will not look right.

 

[Big E]

I ran only Reeflux bulbs and loved them. I used both 10k and 12k. If you dont have any supplemental blue then 12k is the way to go. 10k can be perfect, crisp white with all the colors just popping but you have to have the right ballasts or they will not look right.

Yup, I would add that both bulbs produce the best blues in acros I've ever seen.

 

[reeflover62]

I ran only Reeflux bulbs and loved them. I used both 10k and 12k. If you dont have any supplemental blue then 12k is the way to go. 10k can be perfect, crisp white with all the colors just popping but you have to have the right ballasts or they will not look right.

DaddyJax tank is what made me go with the reeflux lamps. Check out his tank and it will be an easy choice.