XM vs Hamy vs EVC vs Radium

[Steve Ruddy]

Very interesting! Does anybody of you have experience with the DE bulbs?

Yes I use them exclusively now. Usually more intensity when comparing the same SE bulb.

I think radiums have DE's now if I'm correct.

Yes 10K and 20K only in 150W though.

Just pulled my Radiums after 14 months.

 

[crispyreef]

Steve, I'm curious what you are running your Radiums on?

 

[Steve Ruddy]

IceCap Electronic ballast. If you want the best output use a standard M80 HQI ballast.

 

[smariner]

Yes, we will continue to carry the EVC lamps and don't plan on stopping production in the near future!

Hope this helps,
Chad D. Bryant
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<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14612402#post14612402 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by northbay-reefer
So after all of the testing and trying out new bulbs, I finally settled on the EVC SE 14k, I love the color and the par, very simmilar to the radium but at almost half of the cost with the lattest group buy. I hope they keep producing this bulb because I love them

As far as DE, I think you might want to try the phoenix 20k or the Helios 20k, those are also good

 

[northbay-reefer]

Chad, thanks for chiming in and am glad to see that the EVC lamps are alive and well. I am planing to continue to use this bulb in the future.

btw, while you are here, may I ask you a question? I bought 3 bulbs, 2 of them have already broken in and is displaying a nice blue tint, one of them havent yet shows the same blue tint so am wondering how long does it take for the new bulbs to break in? I have been using them a little over a week. TIA

 

[smariner]

I usually see them fully functioning about about 2.5 weeks. You *might* want to move the lamp to another socket as sometimes a ballast fires them differently and may have to do more with the current speeding up the process on the other 2.

Hope this helps,
Chad D. Bryant

 

[northbay-reefer]

Ok, I'll try that ... Eventhough am using all the same icecap ballast. Thanks

 

[smariner]

Great writeup northbay-reefer, I appreciate you doing this analysis and sharing with others the results! I think you pretty much nailed it dead on about the value of EVC lamps compared to others on the market now!

Thanks again,
Chad D. Bryant

 

[mikez104]

I'm in the market for a replacement and currently use XM250 SE 20000k and like the look. Which would look similar to the XM, the 14,000k or the 20,000k?

 

[smariner]

I would suggest the EVC 20,000K in this case...

Hope this helps,
Chad D. Bryant

 

[mikez104]

Thanks. It looks like hellolights.com just put the XMs on sale and they are $60 shipped. I'll try out the EVC or ReefOptics next time.

 

[FreshReefer]

I have 2 x EVC DE 250W 14K and 1 x XM DE 150W 20K I bought the EVC's after reading this thread and have been very happy with them. I haven't used many other DE bulbs so I can't vouch for the difference but they are great bang for the buck.

 

[Reef Bass]

I'm liking my EVC SE 400w 20kK bulbs. Great par. Awesome coral color.

 

[mikez104]

Do you use actinic also or just the 20kK? Pics on you web site are great. What camera are you using for the macro shots?

 

[ellisz]

So did the EVC's do better in the long run than the Reef Optics that were done in the group order way back when?

I am coming from Reeflux 10ks and I am looking for a good 14k or 20k.

 

[smariner]

Yes, the EVC 14K and 20K are really nice lamps!

Hope this helps,
Chad D. Bryant

 

[ellisz]

Know of any tank pics with the EVC bulbs?

 

[Phyxius]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15739239#post15739239 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ellisz
So did the EVC's do better in the long run than the Reef Optics that were done in the group order way back when?

I am coming from Reeflux 10ks and I am looking for a good 14k or 20k.

Not from the Wine Country Reefers area but thought I would chime in since its the same move I made.
I have been using the Reeflux 10ks for yrs since they came out and was happy with them. My last set though shifted color to pink hue so I switched brands. Since Chad is local I went with the EVCs and the recommendation from Chad chose the 14ks and have been real happy the few weeks I have been running them. Nice blue coloring that's a little brighter than the 10k RFs in brightness. A few of my LPS have colored up nicely with these and waiting to see how the SPS react over time.

 

[Reef Bass]

ellisz, check out any of my pics in the Photography forum or Wine Country Reefers forum. They are all shot under EVC 20kK bulbs. I was running XMs before, which are decent bulbs for sure, but the EVCs brought out even more color.

 

[smariner]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15739846#post15739846 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Reef Bass
ellisz, check out any of my pics in the Photography forum or Wine Country Reefers forum. They are all shot under EVC 20kK bulbs. I was running XMs before, which are decent bulbs for sure, but the EVCs brought out even more color.

This is a great quote. Can I quote you on my site?

Thanks,
Chad D. Bryant