help w/MH bulbs

[biger]

Trying to decide which 250 Watt SE MH bulbs to get. I currently have reeflux 10Ks but from reading different posts it sounds like the 14K bulbs look better. It is almost time to replace anyway so was looking for suggestions. I have Icecap electronic ballasts and a mixed reef w/mostly zoos. I also have 4 65 watt PCs for supplementing actinic.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

thanks.

 

[ulua56]

IMO Radiums. I have used XM's(10k,20k), EVCs,, Hamiltons, Reeflux 20k. I keep going back to Radium's. I run a 250 Dimmable CoralVue Ballast. Reds,Pinks and Oranges just "POP" with Radiums

 

[derrell]

im in the same boat. i have the reeflux 10k's and have had the 12k's as well as xm's. you say the reds, oranges, and pinks pop using the radiums but what about teals and blues?

 

[Macimage]

I love tanks lit with Radiums. I am selling my DE fixture to purchase SE pendants so I can run Radiums.

Joyce

 

[grigsy]

I like using Radium bulbs. Those would be worth a try IMO.

 

[biger]

Do the Radiums only come in 20K? How is the growth with these?
I was planning on 14K but sounds like the Radiums are pretty nice.

 

[James77]

The radiums are spec'd to run on HQI(M80) ballasts. They have the highest output and longest life on them. They are more of a 14k bulb-

Icecaps will run them fine, but they will be blue-er and have less output.

They are a good balance of color and growth, you will get more growth if you ran them on M80 ballasts(Blue Wave).

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showt...6177&perpage=25&highlight=radium&pagenumber=1

 

[DarG]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15582894#post15582894 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by biger
Do the Radiums only come in 20K? How is the growth with these?
I was planning on 14K but sounds like the Radiums are pretty nice.

Dont get caught up with the K ratings. Ratings are all they are in most cases. The K ratings dont often match the true measured color temp. of the bulbs. Many of the 14K rated halides actually measure over 20K and are really bluer than some of the 20K rated lamps. The Radium is whiter (less blue looking) than most 20K's and whiter (less blue looking) than a lot of 14K rated lamps. They are 20K plus lamps but they are among the whiter 20K's. They definitely have a blue tint to the color, its just not as dominant a blue color as most 20K's and many 14Ks as well.
Beautiful lamps IMO.

Personally, I wouldnt run them on electronic ballasts. I agree with James77 regarding their use on the M80. But many reefers do use electronic ballasts with them.

 

[biger]

What do u guys really suggest to run with the Icecaps that would be similar to the radiums? I don't think I want to buy new ballasts now.
I am new to MH, these being my 1st MH lights and ballasts.

 

[DeathWish302]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15584509#post15584509 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by biger
What do u guys really suggest to run with the Icecaps that would be similar to the radiums? I don't think I want to buy new ballasts now.
I am new to MH, these being my 1st MH lights and ballasts.

Aside from a little PAR loss, an electronic ballast (Lumatek, Icecap, etc...) will drive those bulbs no problem. There are those that get caught up in the bulb output vs. bulb life debate, but I won't go there. I run a Lumatek with a XM 20k right now. I have ran the following bulbs: Reeflux 12k & 20k, XM 10k &20k & Radium 20k. I have had great success with all, but if your staying in the zoa arena a 'bluer' bulb makes boring zoas some serious eye candy.

My experience with the Radium 20k was wicked growth, but the colors faded from the time with XM 20k. You really have to decide as I did whether crazy growth or looks is what your going for in a display.

 

[biger]

It's hard cause I want the looks but also need growth as all my corals are frags. So u think I should still consider the Radiums?

 

[biger]

DeathWish, How were those other 20Ks compared to the radiums? I was also thinking about the reeflux 20K or icecap bulbs.

 

[derrell]

i've had the xm's and the reeflux and i like the reeflux better but would like to know how they would compare to the radiums. i've gone through 3 sets of reeflux bulbs and all the bulbs don't fire up the same color. one time i got one and it was REally yellow and i send it back and after almost 3 months the company told me that it's buring to specs....i hated that bulb, made one side of my tank look aweful. so word of caution as much as i like the reeflux bulb their customer service reallllyyyyy sucks.

 

[DeathWish302]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15584795#post15584795 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by biger
DeathWish, How were those other 20Ks compared to the radiums? I was also thinking about the reeflux 20K or icecap bulbs.

XM is the only bulb I would compare to Radium as far as bulb life, quality & consistent color in the 20K range of all the bulbs I have tested.

 

[derrell]

which one do u like more the radiums or the reeflux? how would you compare the 2?

 

[spw4949]

I'm torn as well, I just got my first halide fixture & can't decide if I should run 14K or 20K(kinda leaning towords 14K because I can run supplemental actinics if it isn't blue enough)although I might go withe the XM 15k, anyone use this bulb?

 

[Toddrtrex]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15584795#post15584795 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by biger
DeathWish, How were those other 20Ks compared to the radiums? I was also thinking about the reeflux 20K or icecap bulbs.

I am not DeathWish, but I have used both the XM 20K and Radiums over my 58 (( Galaxy 2*250 ballast, and I have 1 50/50 96 PC and 1 dual actinic 96 PC )). Both of them are fairly close in color, but I do like the Radiums better. I haven't had the Radiums long enough to comment on the growth with them, but with the XMs my growth was almost too good. I suspect I will have the same growth with the Radiums.

 

[DeathWish302]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15590154#post15590154 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by derrell
which one do u like more the radiums or the reeflux? how would you compare the 2?

In the 20K spectrum, I think Radium wins for best growth & quality. Reeflux 20K really only has a better price with no other positives over XM or Radium.
I prefer visual appeal in my display, as a growout tank is where I would put a bulb that promotes wild growth. I also use no actinis supplement.
You should know this before I state in order my preference:
XM 20K
Radium 20K
Reeflux 20K
....
....
....
Megachrome (PUKE)

The Reeflux 12K is a whole other story... KILLER growth bulb, but kind of pink after having a 20K.

I would suggest trying the Radium first and if you don't like the color, switch to XM. If you go from XM to Radium, there is slightly less peak in the ~450 range that makes the bulb appear less blue. I can notice it on the LFS tank versus mine with no problem. Also a gorgeous neon green Acro turned to pea green under the Radium, while mine is still as bright as a highlighter. Changing from Radium to XM was the only change in the last 6 months for the LFS. You can't go wrong with either bulb really.