Radiums or Ushio

[kingfisherflesh]

Hey guys...I have had my 125g running for almost a year now.

Half a year I built my current lighting fixture.

It has two 150w MH pendants from www.fishneedit.com

I have 320w via two VHO bulbs at 4300nm.

My MH bulbs are whatever came with the fixtures...and they are pretty yellow. Im not replacing them yet, but will be.

Phoenix is out, they are just too blue. I want something that with my VHO's will work out to be less blue than the Phoenix 14k's, but more blue than ushio 14k's by themselves.

Will the 14k ushios be enough?

Or more importantly...will I be able to run Radium Bulbs using my double ended fixtures I have now?

I have heard horror stories about radiums not firing right for people, so I just want to know what everyone else thinks. Will I be able to run radiums?

Thanks

 

[Nanook]

Specifically, what ballast do you have?

 

[kingfisherflesh]

Just whatever stock ballast came with the 150w fixtures that I bought from that site.

"External Electronic Ballast"

 

[Nanook]

So, 150 watt single ended bulbs on an electronic ballast?

 

[kingfisherflesh]

No, double ended...searching now it looks like I have been an idiot again.

Radium only makes 150w double ended bulbs in 20k? Or is that just the only one that marinedepot is selling?

 

[alton]

If 14k are too blue, with 20k you are going in the wrong direction

 

[kingfisherflesh]

If 14k are too blue, with 20k you are going in the wrong direction

I have never once asked for a 20k bulb...the phoenix 14k's are as blue as most companies 20k...that is why I want less blue than that, but more blue than an ushio 14k.

It is hard to find a double ended 150w bulb that meets my requirements.