Considering going back to MHs, need advice on Blub/Ballast Combo.

Radioheadx14 · 05/25/2012, 09:54 AM

I have a 30x30x18" 70g aquarium. Right now I have a 120w LED fixture that is okay, but I think I can do better in color.

I was thinking of using a Lumen Bright or Lumenarc III pendant with a 250w bulb. I've done phoenix before and it was okay, but I think an XM or Radium might be better.

Whats a good option for me? I don't mind spending more for quality. I've heard to get good color out of radium, you have to over drive them, reducing their life? My Bro has XM bulbs and they looked pretty good. I know nothing about which ballasts work best with which bulbs and which ballasts are more reliable.

I currently have leathers, ricodea and LPS so PAR is not crucial. Looking for good color in both light and color.

James77 · 05/25/2012, 10:23 AM

250 watt radiums run best on HQI ballasts, are are underdriven when run at 250 watts on electronic ballasts. 400 watt radiums is where that confusion comes from, since that bulb is meant to be at 360 watts and 400 HQI greatly overdrives them. FWIW, Phoenix is another bulb that performs best on the M80 ballasts.

M80 is the ideal ballast, the Reeflex Cube is a good ballast. Radiums are great bulbs, bright white with strong blue when run on the correct ballast. They will easily last a year on HQI ballasts. Great color and good growth.

You could also consider the Lumatek switchable ballast, it has an HQI setting that is close to the magnetic M80, but still not ideal. It would give you the option of running other bulbs, even lower wattage ones.

sirreal63 · 05/25/2012, 10:33 AM

If you want to run a single bulb, go with either a LumenArc or a LumenMax Large reflector. I agree with the Reeflex cube and Radium bulb, it is the correct ballast for the bulb. It is a winning combination. On your tank I would avoid any spotlight reflector like the LumenBrite or regular LumenMax, your tank is shallow and wide, you need even coverage with as little of a hotspot as possible.

cody6766 · 05/25/2012, 11:20 AM

Another radium vote here. I ran mine on a pfo m80 ballast and it looked great. Phoenix bulbs area close second.

Radioheadx14 · 05/25/2012, 11:38 AM

I was reading that there was some issues with wire connections between the ballast and reflectors. can someone explain or direct me to what I would need to connect a lumen bright 3 to this ballast?

Michigan Mike · 05/25/2012, 12:19 PM

I'm also looking I to halides for q 36g corner bow front tank. Dimensions are 33"x24 but the frame on top restricts the 33" to 23" . Im looking into a spotlight pendant with not a lot of spread or extra light overflowing into the room. You guys are a wealth of knowledge and I was looking into the select-a-watt dimable ballasts. I want to try my hand at SPS I this tank. Sorry to jack the thread, maybe I should start one....

Radioheadx14 · 05/25/2012, 03:02 PM

Is this all I would need to connect a reflector to the ballast?
http://www.aquacave.com/Quick-Discon...P1892C208.aspx

shifty51008 · 05/25/2012, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radioheadx14

Is this all I would need to connect a reflector to the ballast?
http://www.aquacave.com/Quick-Discon...P1892C208.aspx

yes if your gonna use IceCap, Vertex, and Aqua Medic ballasts. not the correct one for other ballasts

AkaSlyGuy · 05/25/2012, 10:32 PM

I switched from Lumatek select-a-watt ballasts and radium to the reeflex m80 ballast and radiums on my 180. PERFECT combo for me!!!!
Joe

autodave · 05/25/2012, 10:53 PM

I just switched to a Lumenarc mini on my 30x30x24,it's a great reflector

tkeracer619 · 05/25/2012, 11:41 PM

Radium 250w on m80 ballast. Winning combo.

Radioheadx14 · 05/26/2012, 12:45 PM

Should I go with a Lumen Bright 3 pendant or Lumen Bright 3 Large? On the coralvue websight it says the SE standard is 11 pounds and the large is 17, is that for real? that sounds heavy!

sirreal63 · 05/26/2012, 01:37 PM

I wouldn't use any spotlight reflector on a wide and shallow tank, see above. If you use the spotlight, plan having to hang it very high to get any spread and accept lots of light spill. If it has a shell covering the reflector, that weight may be right.

Rinkrat · 05/26/2012, 01:57 PM

Have you considered LED my radion is amazing.

Radioheadx14 · 05/26/2012, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rinkrat

Have you considered LED my radion is amazing.

My original post is stated that I am moving from LED back to MH. Something just looks off...

Radioheadx14 · 05/26/2012, 02:26 PM

Something like this?
http://www.aquacave.com/Hamilton-Tec...P3046C211.aspx

I'm having trouble finding the two you are suggesting in mogul base.

tkeracer619 · 05/26/2012, 05:21 PM

The sources for luminarcs seem to have dried up. Anyone know what happened to them?

I noticed this a few weeks ago. They have all been discontinued or whatnot.

Radioheadx14 · 05/27/2012, 08:00 AM

I've seen that some people are comparing the hamilton cayman sun to the Lumen Max 3, with slightly better par. They also stated it has a bery wide spread.
thread: http://www.reefcentral.org/forums/sh...php?p=16768575
for $130, I'm tempted to try it out since I can't find something better.

05/25/2012, 09:54 AM	#1
Radioheadx14 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 1,601	Considering going back to MHs, need advice on Blub/Ballast Combo. I have a 30x30x18" 70g aquarium. Right now I have a 120w LED fixture that is okay, but I think I can do better in color. I was thinking of using a Lumen Bright or Lumenarc III pendant with a 250w bulb. I've done phoenix before and it was okay, but I think an XM or Radium might be better. Whats a good option for me? I don't mind spending more for quality. I've heard to get good color out of radium, you have to over drive them, reducing their life? My Bro has XM bulbs and they looked pretty good. I know nothing about which ballasts work best with which bulbs and which ballasts are more reliable. I currently have leathers, ricodea and LPS so PAR is not crucial. Looking for good color in both light and color.

05/25/2012, 10:23 AM	#2
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	250 watt radiums run best on HQI ballasts, are are underdriven when run at 250 watts on electronic ballasts. 400 watt radiums is where that confusion comes from, since that bulb is meant to be at 360 watts and 400 HQI greatly overdrives them. FWIW, Phoenix is another bulb that performs best on the M80 ballasts. M80 is the ideal ballast, the Reeflex Cube is a good ballast. Radiums are great bulbs, bright white with strong blue when run on the correct ballast. They will easily last a year on HQI ballasts. Great color and good growth. You could also consider the Lumatek switchable ballast, it has an HQI setting that is close to the magnetic M80, but still not ideal. It would give you the option of running other bulbs, even lower wattage ones. __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater

05/25/2012, 10:33 AM	#3
sirreal63 Go Spurs Go!!! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Meadowlakes Texas Posts: 13,357	If you want to run a single bulb, go with either a LumenArc or a LumenMax Large reflector. I agree with the Reeflex cube and Radium bulb, it is the correct ballast for the bulb. It is a winning combination. On your tank I would avoid any spotlight reflector like the LumenBrite or regular LumenMax, your tank is shallow and wide, you need even coverage with as little of a hotspot as possible. __________________ Jack No One has ever been seriously injured by using the search function. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency. Current Tank Info: Reefing the Pentagon.

05/25/2012, 11:20 AM	#4
cody6766 Super Best Friends! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: OKC, OK Posts: 3,772	Another radium vote here. I ran mine on a pfo m80 ballast and it looked great. Phoenix bulbs area close second. __________________ "The moral is the chosen, not the forced; the understood, not the obeyed. The moral is the rational, and reason accepts no commandments." - John Galt Current Tank Info: Cadlights 60G Arisan II mixed reef with 2x MP40s and 24" ATI

05/25/2012, 10:32 PM	#9
AkaSlyGuy Premium Member Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: Texas/Arkansas Posts: 295	I switched from Lumatek select-a-watt ballasts and radium to the reeflex m80 ballast and radiums on my 180. PERFECT combo for me!!!! Joe __________________ 180g RR, SRO 3000-int skimmer w/neck cleaner, Avast Skimmer Locker, 2x Reefbreeders Proton32's, Apex Controller, Tunze ATO, BRS 6 stage Deluxe RO/DI, Ehiem 1262 return pump, Reef Crystals salt, 2-part

05/25/2012, 11:38 AM	#5
Radioheadx14 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 1,601	I was reading that there was some issues with wire connections between the ballast and reflectors. can someone explain or direct me to what I would need to connect a lumen bright 3 to this ballast?

05/25/2012, 12:19 PM	#6
Michigan Mike Freedom costs a buckofive Join Date: May 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 3,002	I'm also looking I to halides for q 36g corner bow front tank. Dimensions are 33"x24 but the frame on top restricts the 33" to 23" . Im looking into a spotlight pendant with not a lot of spread or extra light overflowing into the room. You guys are a wealth of knowledge and I was looking into the select-a-watt dimable ballasts. I want to try my hand at SPS I this tank. Sorry to jack the thread, maybe I should start one....

05/25/2012, 03:02 PM	#7
Radioheadx14 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 1,601	Is this all I would need to connect a reflector to the ballast? http://www.aquacave.com/Quick-Discon...P1892C208.aspx

05/25/2012, 10:53 PM	#10
autodave Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Menifee,Ca. Posts: 484	I just switched to a Lumenarc mini on my 30x30x24,it's a great reflector

05/25/2012, 11:41 PM	#11
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	Radium 250w on m80 ballast. Winning combo. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

05/26/2012, 12:45 PM	#12
Radioheadx14 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 1,601	Should I go with a Lumen Bright 3 pendant or Lumen Bright 3 Large? On the coralvue websight it says the SE standard is 11 pounds and the large is 17, is that for real? that sounds heavy!

05/26/2012, 01:37 PM	#13
sirreal63 Go Spurs Go!!! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Meadowlakes Texas Posts: 13,357	I wouldn't use any spotlight reflector on a wide and shallow tank, see above. If you use the spotlight, plan having to hang it very high to get any spread and accept lots of light spill. If it has a shell covering the reflector, that weight may be right. __________________ Jack No One has ever been seriously injured by using the search function. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency. Current Tank Info: Reefing the Pentagon.

05/26/2012, 01:57 PM	#14
Rinkrat Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 66	Have you considered LED my radion is amazing.

05/26/2012, 02:26 PM	#16
Radioheadx14 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 1,601	Something like this? http://www.aquacave.com/Hamilton-Tec...P3046C211.aspx I'm having trouble finding the two you are suggesting in mogul base.

05/26/2012, 05:21 PM	#17
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	The sources for luminarcs seem to have dried up. Anyone know what happened to them? I noticed this a few weeks ago. They have all been discontinued or whatnot. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

05/27/2012, 08:00 AM	#18
Radioheadx14 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 1,601	I've seen that some people are comparing the hamilton cayman sun to the Lumen Max 3, with slightly better par. They also stated it has a bery wide spread. thread: http://www.reefcentral.org/forums/sh...php?p=16768575 for $130, I'm tempted to try it out since I can't find something better.