Radium with which ballast?

[Bolo Tran]

Im currently running Phoenix 14k with the old model Icecap electronic ballasts in my 120 SPS dominated tank and although I'm getting good colors, they could be better. I'm planning on changing to Radiums for more color "pop" from my corals. How's the color with my old model Icecaps? Is there a ballast combo that you would recommend? I know this is probably the wrong forum to ask this but I know there are a lot of Sps-ers who use Radiums and I know I will get better answers here. Thanks for your help

 

[Nanook]

[moved]

Are you talking SE or DE bulbs? Radium 250 watt SE bulbs are meant to run on HQI ballasts. Radium 400 watt SE bulbs are meant to run on pulse start.

 

[rutz81]

250W SE-Made for an HQI ballast, HTH

 

[James77]

As posted above, the Radiums run best on HQI ballasts. With HQI's, they give off a bright, crisp white with a strong blue- more of a 14k. With electronic ballasts, they will be blue-er, have less output, as well as a shorter life.

Sunlight Supply Blue Wave HQI ballasts or PFO HQI ballasts(they are the same internal M80 ballast) work well. I would go with the SLS Blue Wave, as PFO is apparently no longer in business.

Running your Phoenix lamps on a HQI ballast will give them less of a monochromatic look from what I have seen posted.

 

[Stoney G]

Galaxy / Radium seems to be a very popular combination.

 

[grigsy]

If you are running a 250 watt Radium - dont go with an electronic ballast - use an M80 HQI. Bulb performance is much better on an M80 HQI.

I would go with Hamilton over SLS - have worked well for me for 5 years - and much better customer support.

http://www.hamiltontechnology.com/s...49&cat=6&keywords=&match_criteria=&searchCat=

 

[Stoney G]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14833907#post14833907 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by grigsy
If you are running a 250 watt Radium - dont go with an electronic ballast - use an M80 HQI. Bulb performance is much better on an M80 HQI.

I would go with Hamilton over SLS - have worked well for me for 5 years - and much better customer support.

http://www.hamiltontechnology.com/s...49&cat=6&keywords=&match_criteria=&searchCat=

I know that the M80 drives the lamp better but it depends on what color you're looking for. If you like more of a white/blue go with an M80 if you like a blue/white go with the Galaxy.
I have always received good customer service from SLS. Never delt with Hamiton so i can't say anything about them

 

[Bolo Tran]

Thanks for all the replies guys. I be narrowed it down to 2 ballasts. The lumatek or galaxy. Any thoughts on this or should I keep my Icecaps?

 

[NexDog]

I use PFO pulse starts with my 400w 20k Rads.

 

[reefdude135]

Radiums run the best on M80 ballasts. They are eally nice.... but they suck electricity like mad! And by over-driving the bulbs, their life shortens to about 9 months.

I tried pulse starts, but found them comparably dim. I think you'll find the best results with IceCap.

 

[James77]

Running Radiums on HQI(M80) ballasts DOES NOT overdrive them. Radiums run at their spec wattage when on HQI ballasts.
The HQI ballasts will draw about 80 more watts than an electronic ballast from the wall, not all goes to the bulb.

Running them on electronic ballasts will underdrive them, reducing their life and output.

 

[roktsintst]

but galaxy ballast's are electronic though???

I run my radiums on coralvue ballasts and i like them...

 

[MSHUR]

Galaxy with radiums are the best one i ever had..

 

[GSMguy]

M-80, cheap, reliable, and it's the manufacturers reccomendation...

 

[roktsintst]

what ballasts are M-80???

 

[x2uranium]

I have ran radiums on Coralvue, ARO, and Icecap. I like my coralvue the best.

 

[roktsintst]

How long do your radiums last? ive ran mine on my Radiums on coralvue for around 6 months and i think they are starting to whiten/yellow???? any input on this?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14875537#post14875537 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by x2uranium
I have ran radiums on Coralvue, ARO, and Icecap. I like my coralvue the best.

 

[GSMguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14875536#post14875536 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by roktsintst
what ballasts are M-80???

Bluewave, oceanlight, PFO, there are lots of them.

I picked up 2 of the ocean light ballasts for 40 bucks a pop used, I am very happy with them.

 

[chrisqueenz]

I have a PFO HQI 400W ballast, would this be able to push radiums?

 

[Mister Scopas]

The Radium 250 HQI bulb is actually a ~270W bulb. The proper ballast for this lamp in the USA is the ANSI M80 magnetic ballast. The 250W electronic ballasts and the 250W ANSI M138/M153 pulse-start magnetic ballasts will under-drive this lamp.

The Radium 400W "HQI" bulb is actually a ~360W bulb. The proper ballast for this lamp in the USA is a 400W ANSI M135/M155 ballast. It will actually drive the lamp at the proper current. Electronic ballasts will overdrive the lamp and shorten its life. What is commonly sold in the USA as a "400 HQI" ballast is actually a 430W ANSI S145 HPS ballast. It will overdrive the lamp even harder and will shorten its service life dramatically.