JCR's Reef
New member
Thanks guys. Alot of help. Was really wanting to know if the 150 would still be the same color or brightness as the ones in the photos.
Show me your 20k Radium tanks?
- Thread starter nu2reefva
- Start date
Todd March
Premium Member
If it's the old style IceCap it'll be pretty dim and blue. I can see this lighting a 12 gallon nano cube or such, with a few hearty SPS's like Montis, but other than that...
I never liked the combo of 150W HQI bulbs with eballasts, unless you're running white (10K) bulbs. And in particular the blue bulbs get too blue and you lose too much intensity. And with a 150W bulb you never had that much intensity to begin with...
A 150W Radium is suppose to be run on an HQI ballast operating at around 228 watts. On the older style Ice Caps, it runs around 166 watts and you lose roughly 25% output (PAR) and gain a lot of blue, as in your coralline will be probably be blue.
One of the nicer HQI bulbs I have seen under-driven on older style eballasts is the AB 10K, very nice and bright, but it needs a lot of blue supplementation to cut the heavy yellow.
Canarygirl
New member
Todd, you certainly are a wealth of info. about bulb/ballast combos. 
I plan to run a 150 Radium on Bluewave HQI, plus 3 36" T-5's (figi purple, 11K, and blue+). This will be on my 40 breeder frag tank. Hope it looks nice, and not too pink or purple-y.
I plan to run a 150 Radium on Bluewave HQI, plus 3 36" T-5's (figi purple, 11K, and blue+). This will be on my 40 breeder frag tank. Hope it looks nice, and not too pink or purple-y.
Todd March
Premium Member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13845446#post13845446 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Canarygirl
Todd, you certainly are a wealth of info. about bulb/ballast combos.
I plan to run a 150 Radium on Bluewave HQI, plus 3 36" T-5's (figi purple, 11K, and blue+). This will be on my 40 breeder frag tank. Hope it looks nice, and not too pink or purple-y.
Thanks for the compliment, Canarygirl, I have studied lighting a lot over the years...
Your combo sounds good (and pink/purple will not be an issue), I do love the Radium in all its forms, but for outstanding growth on a frag tank, you might consider using a bright 10K halide, or better yet the G-mann 14.5K/Ushio 14K (less yellow than 10K) and then 2 Blue+ and a Fiji Purple. Halides excel so much at daylight spectrum, and the blue spectrum is what the T5's really excel at, so you combine them at the highest levels this way. And particularly with the 150W's, an additional 120 watts of T5 blue spectrum really makes for a nice look with much more PAR than the 150W Radium can give you... Just something to mull over...!
JCR's Reef
New member
Very much appreciated Todd. Sorry I was getting frusted and not being able to find anything in the 150 radium for what I was wanting to know after debating it for a week. I figured it would be more dim being a lower wattage but I didnt know if PAR would be the same or not. I went with 2-150's over a 55g reef tank. Figured thats all it would need.
The Icecap ballast is the newer Model but not hqi to overdrive them. PL-H-150-MH is the model number with 150w max output. So I went ahead with the phoenix bulbs and bought an Icecap 660 to supplement the lighting. I dont like blue from pictures I have seen of the phoenix bulbs but the PAR was hi on them.
Could you suggest what to run with the MH to get rid of the blue. I like the more white/purple/blue real crisp look and only plan on running 2-48" VHO's or T5's. I was thinking a 50/50 with the fiji bulb?
Thanks again for your input.
The Icecap ballast is the newer Model but not hqi to overdrive them. PL-H-150-MH is the model number with 150w max output. So I went ahead with the phoenix bulbs and bought an Icecap 660 to supplement the lighting. I dont like blue from pictures I have seen of the phoenix bulbs but the PAR was hi on them.
Could you suggest what to run with the MH to get rid of the blue. I like the more white/purple/blue real crisp look and only plan on running 2-48" VHO's or T5's. I was thinking a 50/50 with the fiji bulb?
Thanks again for your input.
Todd March
Premium Member
So, Josh, are currently running the Phoenix bulbs, and find them too blue? If you haven't seen them yet, I suggest waiting. On the new Ice Caps, the Phoenix should look good. I used the Phoenix and really liked it overall, though it does tend to wash out reds and yellows as it has been criticized for.
If you really want to cut down on the blue and punch up reds and yellows, I would do a GE 6500K and a Fiji. If you just want to cut the blue less, then an Aquablue Special (12K) and a Fiji would work well. If you want to really go pink-blue and have some great color pop (but not much white), two Fijis would be interesting and colorful. Personally, I'd start with the Aquablue Special and Fiji and go from there. The Aquablue is essentially a 50/50 with lots of blue, but looks almost pure white to the human eye, like 10K. The Fiji is a great bulb for actinic effect as well as adding warm red spectrum for reds and pinks, and while I have never seen it with the Phoenix, I am almost sure it would be lovely. I am a big fan of the Fiji, and think it works well in many setups.
If you really want to cut down on the blue and punch up reds and yellows, I would do a GE 6500K and a Fiji. If you just want to cut the blue less, then an Aquablue Special (12K) and a Fiji would work well. If you want to really go pink-blue and have some great color pop (but not much white), two Fijis would be interesting and colorful. Personally, I'd start with the Aquablue Special and Fiji and go from there. The Aquablue is essentially a 50/50 with lots of blue, but looks almost pure white to the human eye, like 10K. The Fiji is a great bulb for actinic effect as well as adding warm red spectrum for reds and pinks, and while I have never seen it with the Phoenix, I am almost sure it would be lovely. I am a big fan of the Fiji, and think it works well in many setups.
JCR's Reef
New member
Thanks Todd. Didnt mean to hijack the spotlight here. I havent seen anybody else's tanks to compare my lighting too thats running what I have intended. Most around here consist of coralife and I wanted to stay away from all of that b/c of the quality and spectrum shifts. I dont like the yellows and wanted more punch too. Its hard to choose a bulb w/0 seeing it in person. I havent recieved my MH bulbs yet or my 660 ballast. I havent bought any bulbs for the 660 as I have been surfing RC asking what peoples lighting combonation consist of. I wouldve never chosen the aquablue for a supplement cuz I want to stay away from the blue. Its hard to choose from the manufacture's description too cuz even though it says crisp white, its more on the blue side. Thanks on that one. I went with phoenix b/c of the PAR output and I figured adding one white and actinic would bring back some more colors and not wash them out. Would you suggest T5s or VHOs. Since it is a 55 gallon(narrow) I was going to go with 2 VHO w/ internal reflectors so I didnt have to put any in my canopy. But I want to run the Fiji and I think thats only in T5's.
I really wanted to try the radiums out but I didnt wanna sell of my Icecap MH right now and start over. Maybe that'll be my next upgrade after people post some more reviews. Thanks again.
I really wanted to try the radiums out but I didnt wanna sell of my Icecap MH right now and start over. Maybe that'll be my next upgrade after people post some more reviews. Thanks again.
Todd March
Premium Member
Josh, PM'ing you to keep this thread on track...
montrealreef
Member
Radium 250 W powered by PFO HQI (M80) Ballast
Radium 250 W powered by PFO HQI (M80) Ballast
I changed over to 250 W Radiums 1 month ago and all I can say is WOW !
I absolutely love these bulbs. They replaced 6 month old Reeflux 12 K bulbs. The reeflux bulbs were okay in the beginning but the color shifted to yellow in 6 weeks on the HQI ballasts. I could not justify the cost of new bulbs at that time and endured the ugly yellow color for a total of 6 months.
The first thing I noticed when I switched to Radiums was how much brighter they are!! I mean holy cow these things are bright running on HQI ballasts !
The other thing is that they are so visually pleasing, at least to my eyes. Bright white color with ice blue glow. The glow is beautiful and impossible to catch on camera. You have to see the tank in person.
Here is a picture, but it really does not do them any justice. They are much much brighter in real life and they have that awesome "glow"
Will definitely keep them. I'll never buy another reeflux 12 K for sure.
Radium 250 W powered by PFO HQI (M80) Ballast
I changed over to 250 W Radiums 1 month ago and all I can say is WOW !
I absolutely love these bulbs. They replaced 6 month old Reeflux 12 K bulbs. The reeflux bulbs were okay in the beginning but the color shifted to yellow in 6 weeks on the HQI ballasts. I could not justify the cost of new bulbs at that time and endured the ugly yellow color for a total of 6 months.
The first thing I noticed when I switched to Radiums was how much brighter they are!! I mean holy cow these things are bright running on HQI ballasts !
The other thing is that they are so visually pleasing, at least to my eyes. Bright white color with ice blue glow. The glow is beautiful and impossible to catch on camera. You have to see the tank in person.
Here is a picture, but it really does not do them any justice. They are much much brighter in real life and they have that awesome "glow"
Will definitely keep them. I'll never buy another reeflux 12 K for sure.
montrealreef
Member
single ended. I think the HQI ballast was too much for them, but still 6 weeks is way too short.
In retrospect, I wish I had changed them sooner because most of my corals browned out on them. They are starting to color up again on the radiums, but I'm still acclimatizing them (short photo period). I'll have to wait and see for the final outcome, but so far, I'm very pleased.
In retrospect, I wish I had changed them sooner because most of my corals browned out on them. They are starting to color up again on the radiums, but I'm still acclimatizing them (short photo period). I'll have to wait and see for the final outcome, but so far, I'm very pleased.
montrealreef
Member
Thanks Wayner2,
I have a 100 G tank. My lighting system was retrofitted into my canopy. I used PFO's parallel reflectors. They are not that great but were the only thing I could fit in my canopy at that time. When I eventually upgrade to my dream tank I will go for lumen bright reflectors.
Cheers,
Sam
I have a 100 G tank. My lighting system was retrofitted into my canopy. I used PFO's parallel reflectors. They are not that great but were the only thing I could fit in my canopy at that time. When I eventually upgrade to my dream tank I will go for lumen bright reflectors.
Cheers,
Sam
Reefflections
New member
Todd March.
Maybe you can figure this combo out for me?I've been going around and around on this one.Here is what I have listed below.
2/ 400 Galaxy ballast
2/250 Gallaxy ballast.but the fixture on these is Double ended.
I set ((2) T/5 Blue plus.
I'm thinking about Radiums for the 400?But these double ended ones,are giving me fits.Because not a big choice of bulb selection on these types of bulbs.I was wondering with the Radiums and the set of T/5 be to much blue?If this can be done,what bulb is needed for the 2/ 250 on the end of the tank,to make it blend as much as possible?I used to run the Aquaconnects by they are really $$$$$.Just need some feed back here if you don't mind?I can deal with the lack of growth,to get so eye candy colors for awhile.Just want a bulb to get at least 6 months worth out of them.Where some has said there are bulbs that go down hill after 3 months.Surely don't want that set up.
Thanks
Maybe you can figure this combo out for me?I've been going around and around on this one.Here is what I have listed below.
2/ 400 Galaxy ballast
2/250 Gallaxy ballast.but the fixture on these is Double ended.
I set ((2) T/5 Blue plus.
I'm thinking about Radiums for the 400?But these double ended ones,are giving me fits.Because not a big choice of bulb selection on these types of bulbs.I was wondering with the Radiums and the set of T/5 be to much blue?If this can be done,what bulb is needed for the 2/ 250 on the end of the tank,to make it blend as much as possible?I used to run the Aquaconnects by they are really $$$$$.Just need some feed back here if you don't mind?I can deal with the lack of growth,to get so eye candy colors for awhile.Just want a bulb to get at least 6 months worth out of them.Where some has said there are bulbs that go down hill after 3 months.Surely don't want that set up.
Thanks
Todd March
Premium Member
Sam, have you seen Sanjay's tests of the PFO parallel against the Lumenarc (the original LM I think)... It wasn't all that bad! The PFO actually had better linear spread die to it's rectangular shape. But it was no slouch...!
Todd March
Premium Member
You said you ran the AquaConnectsâ€"where these the 400W or 250W DE's? I think the Aqua Connect 400W may be the best halide bulb on the marketâ€"really spectacular colors, a nice UV/actinic spike (that the Radium lacks), and incredible PARâ€"more than some 10K's. Plus, since it's a true HQI bulb (unlike the 400W Radium which is NOT an HQI bulb), it will last for a good year with out too much color shift. Yes it costs $140, but it lasts as long as two Radiums, which is what you would need per year, at around $90 times two! The Radium will probably last longer on the Galaxy, but since it's rated at 360W, even the Galaxy will overdrive it, so you're talking like 8-9 months tops. Really makes the AC more affordable when you consider this...
The Radium and the Aqua Connect are both blue enough, they don't need anymore 450nm blue supplementation, particularly on any other ballast other than HQI, but what they could use is 420nm actinic supplementation (particularly the Radium which has practically no actinic spike).
IMO, probably the premier combination you can run for color and growth combined is 400W Aqua Connects on HQI, with actinics. And if you really want that extra punch, go for VHO actinics, UVL's Super R's. The best, and very unequaled in T5's...
And for what it's worth, I have been toying with switching back to halides from T5's for a while now, and I would most certainly run the Aqua Connect 400W with actinics...!
Reefflections
New member
Todd,
Thanks for your input here,as for Radiums vs.AC bulbs.I thought about the same thing you mentioned here,as for life of the bulbs.I guess it's just hard to put that much money out at one time is $$$$$$
Especially when buying 4 of these bad boys AC bulbs all at once.I was running the 4 VHO bulbs with my AC,before my Icecap ballast went out.I had a set of the T/5 Blue Plus sitting around and not using them.I used these instead of repairing the Icecap ballast,plus all new bulbs.I just used these to give it a more of a hint of blue.And using them as sunrise/moon lighting setting.I've never been a big fan of these T/5 lighting.It does have some advantages.But over all can't compare MH vs T/5's.That's another think about the T/5 I don't like either.If you have SPS like I do,some of the acros don't color up right either with T/5 lighting.
But thanks for your reply here.It always nice to hear what others folks say,before buying new bulbs.
Thanks for your input here,as for Radiums vs.AC bulbs.I thought about the same thing you mentioned here,as for life of the bulbs.I guess it's just hard to put that much money out at one time is $$$$$$
Especially when buying 4 of these bad boys AC bulbs all at once.I was running the 4 VHO bulbs with my AC,before my Icecap ballast went out.I had a set of the T/5 Blue Plus sitting around and not using them.I used these instead of repairing the Icecap ballast,plus all new bulbs.I just used these to give it a more of a hint of blue.And using them as sunrise/moon lighting setting.I've never been a big fan of these T/5 lighting.It does have some advantages.But over all can't compare MH vs T/5's.That's another think about the T/5 I don't like either.If you have SPS like I do,some of the acros don't color up right either with T/5 lighting.But thanks for your reply here.It always nice to hear what others folks say,before buying new bulbs.
