What 20K bulbs are the sps reefers using? - Page 2

trueblackpercula · 10/29/2007, 06:38 PM

400 watt 20k XM HERE

tamarindthai · 10/29/2007, 10:26 PM

i've been through all type and all kind of 400w bulbs,,i 'm settle with 20kXM on Hqi ballast

tfp · 10/29/2007, 11:29 PM

docwells, i'm using 250w SE's. colors look pretty dang good

.

johns · 10/30/2007, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by gcarroll
250 watt Radium on SLS Galaxy ballasts.

gcarroll-

Or anyone? Can you comment/compare the color and life of the 250W Radium bulb on this SLS Galaxy ballast versus an HQI ballast. Radium bulb is supposedly designed tobe run on HQI, but I am curious about the difference.

Horace · 10/30/2007, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by tamarindthai
i've been through all type and all kind of 400w bulbs,,i 'm settle with 20kXM on Hqi ballast

Just curious why you would use an HQI ballast with the XM 400w 20k? It performs better on an M59 and uses less power, and probably lasts longer too.

speedstar · 10/30/2007, 09:44 AM

I run the xm 400w 20k but use them on M135 ballasts. the bulbs then appear to be a crisper white to me. more like the radium color but with a lot more par.

gasman059 · 10/30/2007, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by speedstar
I run the xm 400w 20k but use them on M135 ballasts. the bulbs then appear to be a crisper white to me. more like the radium color but with a lot more par.

same here 3x400 20k xm

Purple Haze · 10/30/2007, 01:39 PM

Anyone tried the (I think they're new) SPS--South Pacific Sunlight--bulbs? Specifically the 10k 250w DE?SPS 10K 250W DE

docwells · 10/31/2007, 01:43 PM

Is the M135 ballast an electronic ballast?

Can anyone comment on the coloration of the radium and xm 400 watt 20k bulb on an electronic ballast? In particularly, the intensity and bluish coloration.

Znut Reefer · 10/31/2007, 01:55 PM

I have used the 400 Radium and the 20K XM on BlueLine e-ballasts. They both look very close to the same color on these ballasts. I just prefer to use the XM's because of the longer life of bulb use. Radiums are good for 6 mos.

speedstar · 10/31/2007, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by docwells
Is the M135 ballast an electronic ballast?

Can anyone comment on the coloration of the radium and xm 400 watt 20k bulb on an electronic ballast? In particularly, the intensity and bluish coloration.

nope it is the probe or pulse start kind. whatever the m59 standard one isn't.

on the electronics i've used they have been very blue, becuse they save effiencieny and dont tend to overdrive the bulb

kenettson1 · 10/31/2007, 09:47 PM

400W 20k XM on magnetic ballasts

Covey · 10/31/2007, 09:54 PM

400W XM on M59s here too.

Love the combo first bulbs I ever re bought.

(tend to upgrade whole fixtures instead of buying bulbs

dadonoflaw · 11/01/2007, 12:22 AM

i have seen the xm bulbs on ice cap ballasts and i thought it was great for color but too blue for me and a little too dark. i love the look of the 400 watt se helios bulbs on pfo hqi ballasts. that will be my next upgrade. also i find that the helios bulb brings more flourescence out of the corals.

glassbox-design · 11/01/2007, 07:56 AM

previously used 400w 20kXMs on PFO M59....great color, my digi's absolutley loved that light and all colors really glowed. they were the first thing people noticed.

will now be using 150w 50/20k Iwasaki Par 36's. havent received them yet, so not sure on color.

Horace · 11/01/2007, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Flint&Eric
previously used 400w 20kXMs on PFO M59....great color, my digi's absolutley loved that light and all colors really glowed. they were the first thing people noticed.

will now be using 150w 50/20k Iwasaki Par 36's. havent received them yet, so not sure on color.

So you bought the whole "we are all over lighting our tanks bit" eh? :P

eco37 · 11/01/2007, 08:21 PM

Radium on a M80 looks great and is very bright. Corals look perfect with no actinics.

docwells · 11/02/2007, 02:25 PM

Well, this post has convinced me to go to 400 watters. I will be going to a lumenarc mini and a SE helios bulb. Now I need to decide on ballast type. I am leaning toward the pulse start or hqi. From the pictures I have seen on RC, the colors look better than the electronic ballast. I have used icecap ballast in past with good results, so that is in the back of my mind.

Giovanni · 11/03/2007, 01:18 PM

400 watt 20K Radium in Lumenarc III mini on 220v Icecap ballast. This setup x2 on my 70RR is my only source of light. Growth and color is phenomenal. I had many people say it was overkill but I am very happy after 4 months of use.

How long can I expect these bulbs to last? This is my first set.

Here is a top down from about a month ago.

glassbox-design · 11/03/2007, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Horace
So you bought the whole "we are all over lighting our tanks bit" eh? :P

to some degree, but mostly i bought the reflectors we use suck bit. no need to illuminate the side panels

different tank, very different approach.

CamBarr · 11/03/2007, 08:44 PM

sweet pic

docwells · 11/04/2007, 09:31 AM

Giovanni,
Nice picture. Your colors look great. I might have to reconsider the radium bulb. I just don't like the lifespan of 6 months on a HQI ballast, but You can't have it all.

Do the radiums last longer on the pulse start ballast?

Giovanni · 11/04/2007, 09:44 AM

Wellington,

Thanks for the complement. These are my first set and I had no idea how long they were supposed to last. As it stands now, I have some birds nest growing well on the sand.

If the par starts to drop off, I am ok with that as I can lengthen the photo period. I am now running 6.75 hours.

As for the pulse start ballast, I really do not know. Maybe someone else can chime in.

johns · 11/04/2007, 09:46 AM

Nice picture. Your colors look great. I might have to reconsider the radium bulb. I just don't like the lifespan of 6 months on a HQI ballast, but You can't have it all.

From my understanding, this is only true of the radium 400w version. Bulbs dont last as long when they are over- and/or under-driven. The 250w radium is meant to be run at the correct wattage on hqi and therefore the bulb can last approx as long as other bulbs, maybe a year, when run on hqi. But when they are run on electronic ballasts, they may not last as long.

I'm not sure about the 400w version, but I dont think it is hqi rated.

t5Nitro · 11/04/2007, 09:58 AM

I had a quic question. Most people are using the radium 20k it seems. Does anyone have a pic of a 20k 250w radium they can post, with an electronic ballast maybe?

View Poll Results: What 250 watt 20K bulb are sps reefers using?
20k Radium	83	37.73%
20K XM	83	37.73%
20k Coralvue	7	3.18%
Other	47	21.36%
Voters: 220. You may not vote on this poll

10/29/2007, 06:38 PM	#26
trueblackpercula Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: STATEN ISLAND Posts: 7,517	400 watt 20k XM HERE __________________ Life is to short to buy frags ! But for FREE I'LL take them ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. >((((º> LIVE SAND ITS THE CURE........® Current Tank Info: 120 CUBE Live sand Mitras lx6100hv MRC MR 2 single becket MP40 power head Aquamedic dosing pump using B-ionic

10/29/2007, 11:29 PM	#28
tfp Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Folsom, CA Posts: 3,225	docwells, i'm using 250w SE's. colors look pretty dang good . __________________ Go with what works for you. Current Tank Info: Envisions 400g (96x32x30) online January 2012. 4-72" VHOs,7-OceanRevive T247,Aquamaxx Cone 6 Skimmer, Aquamaxx S3 CR,Aquariumplants CO2 regulator, Jebao SOW20's, 80w Emperor UV, tang dominated with anthias and longspine cards

10/31/2007, 01:43 PM	#34
docwells Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 952	Is the M135 ballast an electronic ballast? Can anyone comment on the coloration of the radium and xm 400 watt 20k bulb on an electronic ballast? In particularly, the intensity and bluish coloration. __________________ Wellington Current Tank Info: 69 gallon AGE rimless starphire tank in progress...

10/31/2007, 09:47 PM	#37
kenettson1 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 356	400W 20k XM on magnetic ballasts __________________ GO COLTS!! Current Tank Info: 225 Gallon (5x3x2) Used to have SPS - Bubbleking Supermarine 250 Skimmer - H&S 200CR-F3000 CaRx - 2 x Tunze 6200's on MultiController - 2 x 400 XM 20k - ACIII Pro

10/29/2007, 10:26 PM	#27
tamarindthai Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Sammamish,wa Posts: 470	i've been through all type and all kind of 400w bulbs,,i 'm settle with 20kXM on Hqi ballast

10/30/2007, 09:44 AM	#31
speedstar Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,150	I run the xm 400w 20k but use them on M135 ballasts. the bulbs then appear to be a crisper white to me. more like the radium color but with a lot more par.

10/30/2007, 01:39 PM	#33
Purple Haze Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: TX Posts: 1,156	Anyone tried the (I think they're new) SPS--South Pacific Sunlight--bulbs? Specifically the 10k 250w DE?SPS 10K 250W DE

10/31/2007, 01:55 PM	#35
Znut Reefer Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Claxton, Ga Posts: 3,396	I have used the 400 Radium and the 20K XM on BlueLine e-ballasts. They both look very close to the same color on these ballasts. I just prefer to use the XM's because of the longer life of bulb use. Radiums are good for 6 mos.

10/31/2007, 09:54 PM	#38
Covey Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Davenport IA Posts: 2,018	400W XM on M59s here too. Love the combo first bulbs I ever re bought. (tend to upgrade whole fixtures instead of buying bulbs Last edited by Covey; 10/31/2007 at 09:59 PM.

11/01/2007, 12:22 AM	#39
dadonoflaw Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: dc Posts: 943	i have seen the xm bulbs on ice cap ballasts and i thought it was great for color but too blue for me and a little too dark. i love the look of the 400 watt se helios bulbs on pfo hqi ballasts. that will be my next upgrade. also i find that the helios bulb brings more flourescence out of the corals. __________________ smoke em if you got em pbitawa Current Tank Info: 55 gal freshwater and 180 gal reef

11/01/2007, 07:56 AM	#40
glassbox-design Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: SF Posts: 3,041	previously used 400w 20kXMs on PFO M59....great color, my digi's absolutley loved that light and all colors really glowed. they were the first thing people noticed. will now be using 150w 50/20k Iwasaki Par 36's. havent received them yet, so not sure on color. __________________ GLASSBOXDESIGN the modern reef blog LEDs are a 50,000 hr investment. Choose wisely. Current Tank Info: ...a new glassbox is coming

11/01/2007, 08:21 PM	#42
eco37 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Miami Posts: 98	Radium on a M80 looks great and is very bright. Corals look perfect with no actinics.

11/02/2007, 02:25 PM	#43
docwells Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 952	Well, this post has convinced me to go to 400 watters. I will be going to a lumenarc mini and a SE helios bulb. Now I need to decide on ballast type. I am leaning toward the pulse start or hqi. From the pictures I have seen on RC, the colors look better than the electronic ballast. I have used icecap ballast in past with good results, so that is in the back of my mind. __________________ Wellington Current Tank Info: 69 gallon AGE rimless starphire tank in progress... Last edited by docwells; 11/02/2007 at 02:31 PM.

11/03/2007, 01:18 PM	#44
Giovanni AKA Flippa Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: KY Posts: 2,207 Blog Entries: 8	400 watt 20K Radium in Lumenarc III mini on 220v Icecap ballast. This setup x2 on my 70RR is my only source of light. Growth and color is phenomenal. I had many people say it was overkill but I am very happy after 4 months of use. How long can I expect these bulbs to last? This is my first set. Here is a top down from about a month ago. __________________ Giovanni Most of My Money I Spent On Whiskey, Women and Reefing, The Rest I Just Waisted! Current Tank Info: 180 Mixed Reef

11/03/2007, 08:44 PM	#46
CamBarr Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Irvine, SOCAL Posts: 2,365	sweet pic __________________ Cam Barr

11/04/2007, 09:31 AM	#47
docwells Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 952	Giovanni, Nice picture. Your colors look great. I might have to reconsider the radium bulb. I just don't like the lifespan of 6 months on a HQI ballast, but You can't have it all. Do the radiums last longer on the pulse start ballast? __________________ Wellington Current Tank Info: 69 gallon AGE rimless starphire tank in progress...

11/04/2007, 09:44 AM	#48
Giovanni AKA Flippa Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: KY Posts: 2,207 Blog Entries: 8	Wellington, Thanks for the complement. These are my first set and I had no idea how long they were supposed to last. As it stands now, I have some birds nest growing well on the sand. If the par starts to drop off, I am ok with that as I can lengthen the photo period. I am now running 6.75 hours. As for the pulse start ballast, I really do not know. Maybe someone else can chime in. __________________ Giovanni Most of My Money I Spent On Whiskey, Women and Reefing, The Rest I Just Waisted! Current Tank Info: 180 Mixed Reef

11/04/2007, 09:46 AM	#49
johns Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 2,684	Nice picture. Your colors look great. I might have to reconsider the radium bulb. I just don't like the lifespan of 6 months on a HQI ballast, but You can't have it all. From my understanding, this is only true of the radium 400w version. Bulbs dont last as long when they are over- and/or under-driven. The 250w radium is meant to be run at the correct wattage on hqi and therefore the bulb can last approx as long as other bulbs, maybe a year, when run on hqi. But when they are run on electronic ballasts, they may not last as long. I'm not sure about the 400w version, but I dont think it is hqi rated. __________________ Visit my Reefkeeping Tank of the Month: http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index.php/component/zine/article/4 Current Tank Info: 190G Custom Starphire Peninsula, External Overflow, 30G Sump, 70G GrowOut, 2x400W MH + 4x54W T5 over peninsula, 1x250W DE HQI over GrowOut, Octo Pro 300 skimmer, Eheim 1262 return w/ Wavysea, 2xTunze Streams + 2 Nano Streams, Neptune ACIII controller

11/04/2007, 09:58 AM	#50
t5Nitro Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 4,384	I had a quic question. Most people are using the radium 20k it seems. Does anyone have a pic of a 20k 250w radium they can post, with an electronic ballast maybe? __________________ ATI T5 club Current Tank Info: Left the hobby, looking to re-enter in the future