Pls Help.....Need a Radium replace for my 180-gl. SPS tank

[tegee]

Well as the title states I need a very good (proven) metal halide bulb replacement. As most everyone knows by now, Radiums (especially 250w) are getting very difficult to find and may be a while before all the major online stores get new inventory due to the importing issues, etc.

To that end, my sps tank has been really cranking along now for over six months with little or no issues and I do not want to *&&^%$$* anything up, especially with a bulb change. Given that I have run Radiums (on HQI M80) ballasts successfully, what bulb is a very good replacement for a 250w Radium?

I am considering Phoenix 250w 14k bulb, which I have read is a very good substitute or maybe even a better bulb then a Radium in regard to color. I am not looking for a "blue" tank, but am looking for my sps colors to jump out like they are doing now with Radiums. I do have (4) VHO's for supplements so I am good there if I need to make up any color, etc.

Many thanks for any insight and/or experiences you can provide......

 

[rtbm]

From the looks of it Premium has them as well as Aquacave I'd stick with the radiums.

I could be wrong but they dont say they are out of stock.

 

[tegee]

Yea....everyone I checked with are out of stock. I will check Aquacave though.

But still may need a long term solution to this Radium import issue.

 

[cdamiano]

Have you looked at the Aquaconnect 14K? They are kind of expensive but they are supposed to have a real nice look to them with a high par value. Very good reviews from Sanjay and other lighting experts.

 

[peiloy3196]

I am in the same position. I need to change my bulbs and do not know what to do!

Tagging along.

 

[tegee]

Have you looked at the Aquaconnect 14K? They are kind of expensive but they are supposed to have a real nice look to them with a high par value. Very good reviews from Sanjay and other lighting experts.

That is not a bad suggestion, but I need to know if they run on an HQI magnetic ballast?

Looks like Phoenix 14k's are my best option so far and they are very cost friendly compared to other bulbs on the market.

Keep it coming......

 

[rtbm]

Yea....everyone I checked with are out of stock. I will check Aquacave though.

But still may need a long term solution to this Radium import issue.

Indeed this is actually news to me, I will be in the same situation in a few months myself.

Anyone know what the deal really is?

 

[Nanook]

I've run 250 watt Radiums on HQI ballast over my 8 ft tank for a year and just switched to Phoenix 14K on HQI ballast about 2-3 months ago. I also run four 110 VHO super actinics over this tank. I have to say I like the look of the Phoenix better than the Radium, it is not quite as bright or gray, but is a blue-gray with nice intensity. My corals are really growing well under these bulbs and the colors of the few SPS are better than ever.

The Phoenix 14K is spec'd to run on HQI ballast just like the Radium. They are cheaper to buy as well, so I am becoming a big fan.

 

[tegee]

Thanks Nanook......

I did find (3) Radiums and at a decent price...but I may just make the switch and try Phoenix 14k bulbs this time around. At $70 with free shipping can't beat the price and if getting Radiums down the line does become a major issue I will be ahead of the curve jumping ship now.

Really appreciate the insight and your overall experience with Phoenix bulbs. It is a tough switch for me, but one I may have to do asap.

Many thanks again...

 

[Alex T.]

On an M80 with a 250 watt bulb I'd go with an XM 20k. I was running 400 watt Radiums on my SPS tank with Galaxy ballasts. Although I loved the look, when I switched to XM 20k bulbs I could not tell the difference even when they were running right next to each other for comparison. On 400 watt Galaxy ballasts they are both crisp white with blue tint because both are slightly overdriven.

Here's some information from Sanjay Joshi's tests. You'll not that the Radium 250 watt doesn't have a measurable advantage in ppfd output over the XM 20k on your m80 ballast.

http://www.manhattanreefs.com/lighting

 

[tegee]

Thx Alex T.

Quick question, why do you recommend the 20k's vs. the 14k Phoenix? I am running on an HQI, not an electronic ballast like the Galaxy. Unfortunately Sanjay only test the 10k Phoenix bulbs, so no PPFD on the 14 or 20k. Does Phoenix even make a 20k 250w SE bulb?

 

[Alex T.]

I recommended the XM over the Phoenix mostly due to many LFS carrying the XM and also from proven results on the m80 ballast, which is a great ballast for the XM 20k. It won't be too blue, whereas the Phoenix tends to be a little too blue for many people's tastes.

 

[ANGRY JOHN]

this is the best price i have found on the 14k's a lot better than the 70 each but they will charge you shipping.
http://www.soslightbulbs.com/phoenix-14k-250w-aquarium-lamp.aspx

 

[Nanook]

My concern With XM on hqi ballast is that they are being overdriven and because of this what is the spectral shift and what is their expected lifespan. Also, what does the manufacturer recommend as a ballast for this bulb? Is it even safe putting spectral shifting and lifespan aside?

 

[Alex T.]

Nanook, I understand your concern. I, along with many others have been overdriving 20k bulbs to get a crisp white light with hint of blue. Every new electronic ballast being made will overdrive every single bulb on the market

Please pay special attention to the power input of these ballasts taking into account the bulb's wattage.....
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2009/6/review

And all I can say about overdriving a Radium or XM 20k can be summed up right here.....


400 Watt Radiums on PFO HQI ballasts
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2009-03/totm/index.php

As for the safety, I agree that you will get less life out of the bulb, but I've never heard of someone having an explosion or fire from doing this. When I was running the Radiums on Galaxy ballasts I easily got a year of life. The XM's I'm being told will tap out at around 10 months. However, in retrospect, it's a lot cheaper for me than buying one of these high priced overdriven t5 fixtures and replacing 8 - 10 lamps every nine months.

I just want to be clear though. I'm not suggesting anyone try running a 250 watt bulb on a 400 watt ballast.

 

[tegee]

Thanks everyone.....great info.

I do not want to get into an overdriving discussion, but from what I have read and been told over the years running Radiums...running on HQI ballasts is not overdriving, but running to spec. Phoenix bulbs are designed to run on HQI ballasts too, so I am assuming, again running to spec. I do not feel comfortable running a bulb not designed to run on an HQI ballasts. I do not know much about XM bulbs so I can't comment.

Last time I ran XM bulbs on my CoralVue electronic ballasts I was not happy at all with the overall look of the tank. It has been a while, but still can remember the yellow look which I don't want. Since Phoenix bulbs are very reasonably price, compared to Radiums anyway, I may just take the plunge and get three bulbs to try for several months. If my sps's don't color up nice I am hopeful by then the Radium import issue will be resolved.

I'll keep everyone posted....and many thanks again for the valued input.

 

[tegee]

this is the best price i have found on the 14k's a lot better than the 70 each but they will charge you shipping.
http://www.soslightbulbs.com/phoenix-14k-250w-aquarium-lamp.aspx

Thx Angry John, but those are for double ended bulbs, not SE HQI Phoenix....they are $69.99 there too.

But thanks for the tip.


I have one more quick question that I forgot to ask early on in this discussion: while the use of 14k Phoenix bulbs improve growth of my sps's corals over Radiums? If memory serves me correctly, I believe there PPFD of both bulbs are a statistical wash, but I could be wrong? Anyone with experience on coral growth with Phoenix would be great to hear from......

 

[sminker]

www.reefgeek.com

 

[Alex T.]

Actually, tegee, if you re-read my post you'll note that I was referring to 400 watt Radium bulbs. They are actually a 380 watt bulb if I'm not mistaken, and are also a totally different animal than the 250 watt bulb. The 400 watt Radium is not a HQI bulb like the 250 watt Radium. Running the 400 watt Radium on a more new Galaxy, Lumatek or Vertex ballast definitely overdrives them, but nothing like the PFO HQI which pumps out almost 480 watts from a 380 watt bulb. This is where severely reduced lamp life is experienced, yet where the growth rates of a 10k bulb are attainable with the coloration and beauty of a higher Kelvin rating because of the equal par ratings.

It appears you want a very blue look, which will probably serve you better to go the Phoenix route, since it's definitely reported to be more blue than a Radium.

 

[tegee]

Actually, tegee, if you re-read my post you'll note that I was referring to 400 watt Radium bulbs. They are actually a 380 watt bulb if I'm not mistaken, and are also a totally different animal than the 250 watt bulb. The 400 watt Radium is not a HQI bulb like the 250 watt Radium. Running the 400 watt Radium on a more new Galaxy, Lumatek or Vertex ballast definitely overdrives them, but nothing like the PFO HQI which pumps out almost 480 watts from a 380 watt bulb. This is where severely reduced lamp life is experienced, yet where the growth rates of a 10k bulb are attainable with the coloration and beauty of a higher Kelvin rating because of the equal par ratings.

It appears you want a very blue look, which will probably serve you better to go the Phoenix route, since it's definitely reported to be more blue than a Radium.

Thanks for the clarification Alex....

I am not necessarily looking for a "blue" look as much as looking for the best bulb for "coral coloration". That is critical, I care much less about the overall look of the tank. Radiums are a no brainer when it comes to sps coloration, but, especially in the 250w, you do sacrifice growth ime.

And of equal importance, I need a bulb that is "designed" to run on an HQI ballasts. That would eliminate Ushiro and I believe XM, but I could be wrong. That is the only reason why I am leaning Phoenix because they are meant to run on HQI.