sps lighting help

[sirreal63]

Tinker, your guess is probably correct. I never liked dual ballasts, too easy to have issues and after switching to the Reef Flex Cube's I am happy as can be with the lighting at the moment...patiently waiting on the Kessil A350 to debut.

OP...if you do switch out ballasts at some point, take a hard look at the AquaMedic Reeflex Cube, it is just an inspired ballast at a very good price point.

 

[karsseboom]

Well if your ballast are going out then just get new ballast and buy radiums.

 

[ZildjianDevil]

Turns out my one ballast out of the three is bad. So now I'm looking for a new 250w Electronic Ballast. Since ICeCap is out of business I'm not sure who to go with...

Coralvue or Lumatek?

 

[ZildjianDevil]

Sorry for making a bunch of threads. I'm just going to stick with this one. As you all know I just changed all my Icecap 250w electronic ballasts out for Aqua Medic 250w Reeflex Cube.

So now I can push these bulbs to full potential. Are the radiums too blue to anyone? And since they are 20k do they still out perform growth compared to 14k?

 

[sirreal63]

No one can tell you if they will be too blue for you. Running the Radium on the correct HQI, which you will be, makes them more white than when run on electronic. I do not think they are too blue, and hopefully they will not be to you either.

 

[ZildjianDevil]

Ok awesome thank you!

 

[sirreal63]

Stay with the plan, it is the one that the majority of us have learned the hard way that works the best for color and growth. I do understand, over the years I have changed lighting numerous times and will probably do so again. Started with PC's, went to Halides, to T5's back to Halides, back to T5's and finally settled on Halides. I am currently running dual 150 watt Radiums but may switch back to 10K's for some growth before trying LED's.

 

[ZildjianDevil]

Yeah I think I'll do the radiums.. I just don't want to be stuck looking at small frags for months when I can get great growth with other bulbs.

 

[Essencereef]

ha ha ha ha....

we end up in the beginning Told ya! (my chance to rub it in)

good luck to ya! Wish you stellar results!

 

[ZildjianDevil]

ha ha ha ha....

we end up in the beginning Told ya! (my chance to rub it in)

good luck to ya! Wish you stellar results!

Hahaha thanks!

 

[ZildjianDevil]

Ok radiums are now purchased.. One question. How is the bulb properly supposed to be positioned in the socket? With that metal bar facing straight up towards the reflector or down towards the top of the water?

 

[Alex T.]

Ok radiums are now purchased.. One question. How is the bulb properly supposed to be positioned in the socket? With that metal bar facing straight up towards the reflector or down towards the top of the water?

I never really paid much attention to that. I've had no ill effects from just screwing it in and cleaning the salt spray every couple of weeks.

 

[ZildjianDevil]

Oh really.. Had no idea