New radium with sps question

[Bolo Tran]

Hey guys. Just did a light upgrade from Phoenix/icecaps to Radium/Galaxy and My initial thought is that I really like them. Ive read several peoples reviews on Phoenix that they do wash the colors of the corals out and never knew what it meant but now I do. Immediately upon firing the radiums I noticed much more pop out of my corals. Polyp colors are more defined. For example the with the phoenix, you'd have to look pretty closely to distinguish the color of the base of my three sunset monti to it's polyps. With the radiums, there is a higher "seperation" of colors, hence the "pop" that I always read about. I just had a couple of questions for Radium users if I may.

1) do they get bluer or whiter when they burn in? It's only been on for a day but they are a TaD bit too white from what I expected but I'd have to say they are pretty bright

2) what's a safe way to acclimate my animals to the new lights? Is reduced photoperiod ok? I used to run my Phoenixes for 6 hours a day

3) how long do radiums last until the par levels drop? I've read an article that Phoenix bulbs drop by 30% after 4 months. Is this the same for Radiums or do they retain their intensity longer?

4) nipples up or down? I've heard conflicting opinions on this and wanted to know the ultimate consensus

Thanks all in advance for your help

 

[Nerdy Nudi]

tag and bump

 

[Bolo Tran]

Can anyone lend a helping hand? Surely, I'm not the only Radium user here....

 

[Bolo Tran]

Come on gentlemen. Over 90 views and not a single person with any input? Are my questions just too outright rhetorical to deserve any input? I can really use some help

 

[ksc]

Since you asked, I have 250w radiums with lumenmax2 reflectors. When I first got them one bulb was white (thought it was defective), one blue/white. After a week they were both the same blue/white. The reflectors are mounted 10" above the water and the par when new is as follows:
Surface 1100
5" under surface 600
12" 300-400
20" sandbed 200-250

After 4 months I have lost about 10% par, not bad considering my XM 20k lost about 40% over a 4 month period. My Iwaski 175 14k lost almost no intensity over the same 4 month period.

 

[Bolo Tran]

Thank you KSC for your reply. That thoroughly answers my question on how long they last. Do you have the nipple up or down with your setup and do you notice a difference between the two orientation? Also, if I'm changing from Phoenix bulbs, is it necessary to light acclimate by reduced photoperiod? Thanks

 

[luther1200]

No pictures???

 

[ksc]

I like my nipples up. Haven't checked the bulbs though, I don't think it makes a difference. You could check Sanjays lighting guide to see the par differences, I'm not familiar with the Phoenix bulb

 

[Ed Reef]

Re: New radium with sps question

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15005849#post15005849 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Bolo Tran
Hey guys. Just did a light upgrade from Phoenix/icecaps to Radium/Galaxy and My initial thought is that I really like them. Ive read several peoples reviews on Phoenix that they do wash the colors of the corals out and never knew what it meant but now I do. Immediately upon firing the radiums I noticed much more pop out of my corals. Polyp colors are more defined. For example the with the phoenix, you'd have to look pretty closely to distinguish the color of the base of my three sunset monti to it's polyps. With the radiums, there is a higher "seperation" of colors, hence the "pop" that I always read about. I just had a couple of questions for Radium users if I may.

1) do they get bluer or whiter when they burn in? It's only been on for a day but they are a TaD bit too white from what I expected but I'd have to say they are pretty bright

I used Radium w galaxy ballast and yes, they do give a crisp white look and still make your corals color pop...!!


2) what's a safe way to acclimate my animals to the new lights? Is reduced photoperiod ok? I used to run my Phoenixes for 6 hours a day

Depends - what K are u using prior?? As Radium is a 20K light bulb. Also is both the same watt?? Did you change the reflector?? Will help us give you better advice if we know more...

3) how long do radiums last until the par levels drop? I've read an article that Phoenix bulbs drop by 30% after 4 months. Is this the same for Radiums or do they retain their intensity longer?

Galaxy ballast are rumor (don't quote me on this) to be build around Radium bulb and will not over drive the bulb, unlike other ballasts so should last you a good 9-12 months

4) nipples up or down? I've heard conflicting opinions on this and wanted to know the ultimate consensus

You got me here....?? What do you mean??

Thanks all in advance for your help

Answers in red - hope that helps

 

[James77]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15005849#post15005849 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Bolo Tran

1) do they get bluer or whiter when they burn in? It's only been on for a day but they are a TaD bit too white from what I expected but I'd have to say they are pretty bright

2) what's a safe way to acclimate my animals to the new lights? Is reduced photoperiod ok? I used to run my Phoenixes for 6 hours a day

3) how long do radiums last until the par levels drop? I've read an article that Phoenix bulbs drop by 30% after 4 months. Is this the same for Radiums or do they retain their intensity longer?

4) nipples up or down? I've heard conflicting opinions on this and wanted to know the ultimate consensus

Thanks all in advance for your help

1) I found the same thing with mine, however they turned a bit more blue after 100-200 hours of burning.
2) would depend on what you ran before, just reduce it for a few hours a day and build it slowly back up if the lighting was comparable.
3)Most any bulb has a fairly steep drop off in the first few months. On your electronic ballasts, you will probably get a good 9-10 months before spectrum shift. Running radiums on HQI ballasts is not overdriving them, they run at their spec wattage- alot of people are misinformed on that. Electronics underdrive radiums(250 watt radiums)- the galaxy also does, just not as much as other electronics.
4)Nipples up. Ive also seen conflicting on this, but the majority Ive read from people who know their lighting say they go up.