Radium 400W

[machote]

tnkz for your time

tnkz for your time

This is with keeping beautiful SPS.

tnkz for the information

i would appreciate it a lot if you can advice me which is better for my setup if 4 400w mh or 4 250w

and what are the best ballast and bulbs for it

what its best ballast for 400w radium
what its the better one for 250w

the new electric choose a watt are good?

i would love to have the best no matter i need to get old ballast its much difference in heat between 250 and 400w bulbs?

its seems 250w last long time but are 400w far much better than 250?
my tank is 92"¨ long and 32" tall and 28" width

plese help me guyz i really appreciate all your experience its pure gold for a noob like me

 

[tkeracer619]

i would appreciate it a lot if you can advice me which is better for my setup if 4 400w mh or 4 250w

What do you plan on keeping coral wise?

 

[Nanook]

I have a 96x30x30" tank that I use four Radium 250 watt or Phoenix 250 watt bulbs over on M80 ballasts. I can grow SPS at the bottom without a problem and 14-16 months is not an issue with growth or color. I actually prefer the Phoenix over the Radium the last couple times...they are designed to be run on M80 ballast just like the Radium bulb. They are also cheaper, but work every bit as well Personal preference between these two bulbs, just make sure you use the real M80 ballast, not some electronic choose a watt ballast.

The other recommendation I would make if using 250 watt bulbs would be the use of LumenBright reflectors as they can be suspended 12-15" over the water and will penetrate to the bottom.

 

[Nanook]

Reflector:

http://premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-supplies/CV-LB-LR.html

 

[machote]

TnkZ guys i Will go with the 250w. Could you advine me wich ballast its the better?? Pfo 250 are great? I would apreciate a lot if you guy can tell me what Brand and model si the best ballast for my radiums and phoenix

 

[Nanook]

http://www.hamiltontechnology.com/item/Metal-Halide-HQI-250-Watt-M80-Assembled-Ballast-378

 

[Nanook]

If you can find them:

http://www.aqualightsonline.com/servlet/the-179/dual-250-metal-halide/Detail

 

[machote]

TnkZ i Will try to orden them the 2nd can handle 2 bulbs? A friend of mine have 2 pfo 250 they are good? Wich one is best the Hamilton or the other? TnkZ for your time

 

[Nanook]

TnkZ i Will try to orden them the 2nd can handle 2 bulbs? A friend of mine have 2 pfo 250 they are good? Wich one is best the Hamilton or the other? TnkZ for your time

They are both good. Remember, it is the M80, accept no substitutes!!

 

[machote]

Aquamedic seems cool and cheap but we have also got pfo and and blue wave. What is diference betwhen blue wave 7 and 2. Also wich ballast is moré silent or run cooler i already make the choice of 4 mh just need to decide wich ballast its better Can u plz advice me about sound and temperature etc

 

[machote]

i already get a store that can get me 4 aqua medic 250w i think they are m80, gut now im thinking and if i want 400w on the future? would you advice me get 400w instead of 250?

 

[alton]

I have a 300DD (72x36x27 deep) and use 3 x 250w Radium lamps in Luminbright minis with great PAR results. After hearing 400 watt radiums not last a year I wouldn't go that route. Over the years on my 250 Radiums one only made it 12 months, most 16-18 months, and one that made it past 24 months. A PAR and Foot candle meter is a must if you are going to have 3 to 4 lamps to replace. I run mine on Coral Vue electronic ballast. And FYI in the last couple months I bought a new Radium lamp that was not up to Par, so I had my LFS send it back and the replacement was not much better. I complained to Coral Vue but that fell on deaf ears. My LFS picked up another radium lamp from another wholesaler and it was fine. Another reason to have a meter.

 

[bravanc]

I have a standard 220 72x24x30. Run the lighting with (3) 400watt radium on the CoralVue
Dimmable ballast and lumenbright reflectors. I got beautiful color and great growth on my SPS dominant tank. I just changed my bulbs the beginning of this month and already see new sprouting growth on my corals.

 

[machote]

I have a standard 220 72x24x30. Run the lighting with (3) 400watt radium on the CoralVue
Dimmable ballast and lumenbright reflectors. I got beautiful color and great growth on my SPS dominant tank. I just changed my bulbs the beginning of this month and already see new sprouting growth on my corals.

u need chiller, u don't have problems bleaching corals? so you would advice me 400 instead of 250? how many monts ur radiums last on your select a watt ballast, tnkz for your advice

 

[machote]

I have a 300DD (72x36x27 deep) and use 3 x 250w Radium lamps in Luminbright minis with great PAR results. After hearing 400 watt radiums not last a year I wouldn't go that route. Over the years on my 250 Radiums one only made it 12 months, most 16-18 months, and one that made it past 24 months. A PAR and Foot candle meter is a must if you are going to have 3 to 4 lamps to replace. I run mine on Coral Vue electronic ballast. And FYI in the last couple months I bought a new Radium lamp that was not up to Par, so I had my LFS send it back and the replacement was not much better. I complained to Coral Vue but that fell on deaf ears. My LFS picked up another radium lamp from another wholesaler and it was fine. Another reason to have a meter.

what model of ballast you use? i was searching for m80 for radiums but want to know if select a watt are good im still confused between 250 and 400

 

[alton]

what model of ballast you use? i was searching for m80 for radiums but want to know if select a watt are good im still confused between 250 and 400

I have used the old extinct coralvue ballast. I do have one select a watt luxcore ballast on 250+ which equals the output of my old coralvue ballast. The best ballast are the coralvue dimming ballast that are extinct. I have had one for years and just picked up two more for $50ea.

 

[alton]

One word of caution do not buy a used 2008 coralvue ballast, I am not sure what the deal was but they do not last very long.

 

[machote]

so then which m80 ballast do you recommend me? an old pfo? new aqua medic cube? hamiltons?

 

[myaerica]

I have a 300DD (72x36x27 deep) and use 3 x 250w Radium lamps in Luminbright minis with great PAR results. After hearing 400 watt radiums not last a year I wouldn't go that route. Over the years on my 250 Radiums one only made it 12 months, most 16-18 months, and one that made it past 24 months. A PAR and Foot candle meter is a must if you are going to have 3 to 4 lamps to replace. I run mine on Coral Vue electronic ballast. And FYI in the last couple months I bought a new Radium lamp that was not up to Par, so I had my LFS send it back and the replacement was not much better. I complained to Coral Vue but that fell on deaf ears. My LFS picked up another radium lamp from another wholesaler and it was fine. Another reason to have a meter.

Wow that must be pretty shaded. I have the same tank and run 4 250 and 2 400 watt radiums and it seems A little shaded and, I have the big lumenbrights.

 

[machote]

could u post some pics plz?