Radium/Galaxy bulb replacement schedule

[cdamiano]

I have a 250WSE Radium bulb on a Galaxy ballast. How often should this bulb be replaced when using this ballast?

 

[cdamiano]

Nobody is running this combination? I wasn't sure if this bulb needed to be replaced more often than the normal 10-12 months that other bulbs are recommended to be replaced?

 

[chuckbuc]

I just put raduims on my tank chris ,there on icecap ballast I think the raduims say there good for a year ,I know they were def rated for at least 10 months

 

[cdamiano]

Thanks Chuck. I found a few other threads that confirm that people are running this combo for at least 12 months without any significant spectrum shift or loss in intensity. I think I will go with a change interval of 10-12 months.

 

[myaerica]

I just put raduims on my tank chris ,there on icecap ballast I think the raduims say there good for a year ,I know they were def rated for at least 10 months

Thts one of the worst bulb to ballast combo as far as par goes. You need to get m80 ballasts the difference is awesome.

 

[john90009]

actually its one of the best bulb with electronic ballast combos.

 

[john90009]

obviously its better on the ballast its made for but looks even worst on other ballasts. From what iv heard people have been getting great growth with excellent color on there frag tanks with this combo. i have yet to try myself cause theres no store around here that sells and i need to find a store that would back me if the bulb was ever faulty like the 400 watt ones were.

 

[Alex T.]

myaerica....read here

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2009/6/review/view?searchterm=galaxy ballast

Galaxy. Lumatek and Vertex had Radium fans in mind when they when they designed these new electronic ballasts. Aside from the design, the spectral shift is far less over a year than an m80 ballast. Mine were installed in March 2010 and are still putting out almost new numbers as per a friend's par meter.

Galaxy runs the Radium incredibly well. You can go at least 10 months Chris.:thumbsup:

 

[k.tran]

+1 at least 10 months. I ran mine for 11 and 1/2 before I changed

 

[austin93]

There is no mention of 250w radium. Just 400.

myaerica....read here

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2009/6/review/view?searchterm=galaxy ballast

Galaxy. Lumatek and Vertex had Radium fans in mind when they when they designed these new electronic ballasts. Aside from the design, the spectral shift is far less over a year than an m80 ballast. Mine were installed in March 2010 and are still putting out almost new numbers as per a friend's par meter.

Galaxy runs the Radium incredibly well. You can go at least 10 months Chris.:thumbsup:

 

[rsaha]

If you poke around the forums you'll find that the Radium 250 bulb is designed to the HQI specification (HQI does not mean double ended) and that the recommended 250W ballast is the M80. Not saying anything about how it looks on the Galaxy - just that the bulb was designed to work with the M80 ballast.

 

[austin93]

rsaha, you are absolutely right. M80 or the bulb isn't fired properly. I am sure it has a very nice blue color on the galaxy ballast.

 

[john90009]

just got my radium 250 watters today and have them running on a dual gallaxy ballast. No one who is looking at radiums for this ballast should be scared, pull the trigger its the best. Looks pritty much a crisp white like on the m80s

 

[berniegermie]

I also run my 250w se radiums on galaxy ballasts and love the color and intensity of the light. It's not as blue as the Phoenix bulbs.

 

[cdamiano]

Yeah, well good luck getting them. Read here: http://coralvue.com/radium-lamps-out-of-stock/
Time to find a new bulb.