14k hamilton se vs radium 20k se
 

according to sanjays site there is not much diffrence in power output. has anyone ran a 250w SE 20k radium? how did you like them? too blue? How was youre sps growth?

Im running coralvue electronic ballast with lumenarc reflectors.

I tried something similar...250 watt SE Helios 20K, rumored to have more PAR than Radiums, on Coralvue electronic ballast and with mini-luminarcs.

I tried it for about a week and a half but it was way too blue for me. From what I understand, and HQI ballast would not have created as much of that blue look (but I didn't want to buy a new ballast).

I've used both lamps on IC eballasts... The Hamilton is a serviceable bulb, decent color and growth... It'll get the job done. Kinda like a Subaru, gets you where you want to go but definitely nothing special. The Radium is far superior IMO... Brilliant clarity, colors pop. Not too blue either IMO and I just switched from Reeflux 10K's :) hth

would you mind posting a pic of your tank

thanks,,,,, I was expecting more blue. very nice!

PUGroyale, are you using any other supplements to the light other than just halides? That looks pretty close to a Reeflux 10k I believe. Is there maybe a little more blue with the Radium's? Thank you very much.

It's definitely more blue than the Reeflux 10K's, it just doesn't show as much in the picture. After 2 years of 10K though I was ready for a change. I'm also running 2x 95w VHO actinics with the Radiums. I run a Reeflux 12K over my frag tank and I much prefer the Radiums to it too.

Pug,

Does the Radium look more or less blue than the Reeflux 12K's to your eye? Could you tell in your corals the loss of PAR going to the Radium 20K 250 watt from the Reeflux 10K?

My situation is a little unique because I run dual halides on a 36" tank, there's good bit of overlap. Corals in the middle of the tank get the full force of both lamps. I was at a presentation given on lighting by Dana Riddle last year, and long story short, I began running just one halide at a time with the 10k's. It was just too much light with both on. With the Radiums I can run them both so I have no problems with PAR, it may even be higher now than how I was running it. As for the comparison the Reeflux 12k is whiter than the Radium to my eye. Maybe I'll try and get a pic with the 12k on one side and the Radium on the other now that they're all burned in. I got the 12k just for comparisons sake and I'm glad I did, but if you want my opinion of one you should try... it's the Radium.

Nice tank !!!!

I love The Radium bulb.

I have used
Reeflux 12K
XM 20K
The Radium is so much nicer.

I want to try the Hamilton 14K one day though along with the Helio 20K

I've used the hami 14k and the radium. Both are very nice imo but i like the radium more as its a slightly bluer color.

I have used both. Both are good bulbs. The Radium is a little bluer. Of the two, I like the look of the Hamilton bulb better.

That is suprising^

But i havnt ever used a Hmmy 14k but i will someday soon

The 14k hami is a great bulb.I have used it for 2 years and now I'm using the helios.i used icecap 250 on both.

By the way,i like the helios.I've never used the Radiums but my friend has and they look great.IMO the helios look brighter.

what is the lifespan on the radiums, helios, and hamiltons?

No one really knows. The Phoenix 14K is the only one that life span has been tested on.

I would guess at least a year for all 3

I have heard most people change their Radiums at 6 months.

i think that is only for the 400 watters because they get overdriven on HQI ballasts

Yeah only 400 watt Radiums not the 250Watt. 250 will last a year IMO