Show me your 20k Radium tanks?

Self Made 30 gallon acrylic mixed reef...24x24x12
Lumenbright mini wide reflector
250w Blue Wave 3 hqi ballast
20k radium. no supplemental lighting. no sump
rightfulltank.jpg
 
I have 250w CoralVue ballast. Can I run 250w 20k Radiums successully? I am a bit unsure exactly how my ballasts are powered (i.e.: HQI, etc).

Appreciate any assistance.......Thx
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15685880#post15685880 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefsahoy
WOW! is that thing in your house? that's gonna really look nice when it matures!
Click to expand...

No sir, it is in my garage....
 
Here's mine: 60X26X24, 2X250 watt on Blue Waves. Its only about 6 months old as is, so my stuff has a lot of growing to do still. Please excuse the weird coralline die off occurring for some unknown reason?
tank912009.jpg

tank9120092.jpg

tank9120093.jpg
 
What is considered to be the best ballast to run the Radium 250 watt bulbs? I see a lot of Blue Wave and Galaxy. Does either have an advantage over the other? I'm going to be using one on my future tank and want to get the best ballast for them. Thanks
Steve
 
That is exactly what I would like to know Eros. I have heard Radiums like to be "over driven" but I am someone confused as what exactly all that means. I understand that terminology for a dimmable ballast, etc. But will my standard CoralVue electronic ballast do the trick? I really want to switch from ReefLux 12k's to Radiums 20k's but need to know some facts before I spend the $$$ for three bulbs. I have heard some good stuff on the new ReefLux 20's too.

Any info would be great.........
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15687732#post15687732 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tegee
That is exactly what I would like to know Eros. I have heard Radiums like to be "over driven" but I am someone confused as what exactly all that means. I understand that terminology for a dimmable ballast, etc. But will my standard CoralVue electronic ballast do the trick? I really want to switch from ReefLux 12k's to Radiums 20k's but need to know some facts before I spend the $$$ for three bulbs. I have heard some good stuff on the new ReefLux 20's too.

Any info would be great.........
Click to expand...

I have the same ballasts and run the radiums. They do fire up no problem. I had reeflux 12k's for about a year and wanted more blue. So, when it came time for bulb replacement, I went with the 20k reeflux. I was disappointed with those - I saw no difference at all between the 12's and the 20's. How they justify those as 20k's is besides me. If I am being honest, people told me the radiums run bluer on the electronic ballasts, but I disagree. THey are not super bright, but they do have a blue tint to them. I don't know if I love these enough either to be honest. I supplement with 2 110 watt super actinic vho's.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15687656#post15687656 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by eros
What is considered to be the best ballast to run the Radium 250 watt bulbs? I see a lot of Blue Wave and Galaxy. Does either have an advantage over the other? I'm going to be using one on my future tank and want to get the best ballast for them. Thanks
Steve
Click to expand...
250w radium----any hqi ballast (blue wave 3, PFO, m80, etc)
400w radium----electronic ballast (galaxy, blue wave 1, ice cap, etc)
 
There's no single best bulb/ballast combo. Its all about what you like in terms of par and color. I chose the bluewaves because I wanted to get the most PAR out of my bulbs as possible. HQI's like the bluewaves will give you more PAR than the e-ballasts.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15688814#post15688814 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hatfielj
There's no single best bulb/ballast combo. Its all about what you like in terms of par and color. I chose the bluewaves because I wanted to get the most PAR out of my bulbs as possible. HQI's like the bluewaves will give you more PAR than the e-ballasts.
Click to expand...

So HQI ballasts overdrive the bulbs? What effect do they have on color? Not trying to get the thread off topic but this seems like the ideal place to ask. Thanks
 
So if I am understanding this correctly, with a 250w CoralVue electronic ballast I should stay with ReefLux bulbs because I can not overdrive them? I know some have stated there is no perfect bulb/ballast combo, just a "preferred" combo. But at $70+/bulb x 3 bulbs I do not want to take a crap shoot. Obviously like others I am trying to get 1st the best growth and 2nd the nicest colors.

Right now it appears that Radiums may be out??? Which sucks because I have heard so much great things about them. Can't seem to justify a complete ballast change out with three ballast on my system. Might lean towards ReefLux 20k's with vho supplements at this point. Great info and keep the info and suggestions coming......Many thx
 
Jar*Head---Thats a good looking tank. Would like to see pics of the tanks surrounding area....Is that a frame around the tank holding up the lights?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15690177#post15690177 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by henrystyle
Jar*Head---Thats a good looking tank. Would like to see pics of the tanks surrounding area....Is that a frame around the tank holding up the lights?
Click to expand...

Hello, thank you. The L shape frame supporting the light is made out of metal 2x2 square tubing the wooden frame is the skinning to cover the metal stand...
 
The 250W HQI Ballast such as the Blue Wave or any M80 ballast does not overdrive the Radium - they run the Radium to Spec like they should be run.
 
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