What 20K bulbs are the sps reefers using? - Page 4

antiant · 11/22/2007, 02:55 PM

xm 20k with lumenarc on M59 ballast. i just got the xm 20k yesterday, i used reeflux 10k prior and wanted more blue. i feel its a little more blue then i want though.

thebun · 11/22/2007, 09:40 PM

I'am thinking of trying a 400 20k in the near future, but worried about losing the color red in certain corals.

If you haved used 20k bulbs for a while, can you keep great looking reds in stylos and birdsnests?

Cheers
Simon

tamarindthai · 11/23/2007, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Horace
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.

i swiched over to std ballast now,,it is the same result,,,you 're right about the energy used and the bulb last longer,thanks

lechee12 · 11/23/2007, 12:25 PM

does anybody know how the xm20k compares to a helios 20k being run on a PFO M58 ballast?

docwells · 05/06/2008, 10:42 AM

Thought I would give my results. I tried the helios 20k on HQI ballast. It is a breat bulb. I got good fluorescence from corals. The bulb burnt in to a crisp white color with a hint of blue. The only downside is I now think the bulb needs to be changed and it has only been 4 monthsMy colors have started to dull. I am going with them again over a radium as the price is less and it gives more par.

johns · 05/06/2008, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by docwells
Thought I would give my results. I tried the helios 20k on HQI ballast. It is a breat bulb. I got good fluorescence from corals. The bulb burnt in to a crisp white color with a hint of blue. The only downside is I now think the bulb needs to be changed and it has only been 4 monthsMy colors have started to dull. I am going with them again over a radium as the price is less and it gives more par.

Shouldnt the radium last a lot longer though? Since the radium is actually a bulb rated to run on HQI, I would expect you should be able to get at least close to the full year out of it (maybe more??) 4 months is awfully short life span for a bulb, so unless the color is drastically improved...

I have been running a radium on HQI for about 6 months now, and dont see a need to replace as of yet. But this is just based on perception, not PAR readings.

docwells · 05/06/2008, 11:01 AM

I have read that you get 6 months out of a radium. I think most of this is on perception and not par readings. I think that 4 months is pretty short, but that is perception also. My colors have decreased.

johns · 05/06/2008, 11:06 AM

I have wondered whether the people that say they get only 6 months for a radium are not using the HQI ballast, maybe running on electronic or some other ballast not rated to run the bulb properly.

The radium is an HQI bulb (kind of atypical for an SE bulb), so I dont see why you cant get the 12 months or so, just like any DE bulb designed to run on HQI.

xtm · 05/06/2008, 11:20 AM

I just switched to XM 20K's (250 watts, double-ended on Icecap) I am also running 2x 54w 420nm actinics.. my tank is super BLUE. It's very hard to take pictures of without getting that super blue tinge.

Lundy24 · 05/06/2008, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by docwells
I have read that you get 6 months out of a radium. I think most of this is on perception and not par readings. I think that 4 months is pretty short, but that is perception also. My colors have decreased.

I think most of the people that say this are using the 400w version, which is not a HQI bulb. They are actually designed to run on something like 360w. Even electronic ballasts overdrive the 400s so they typically have a short life

orangekush4 · 05/07/2008, 07:29 AM

SPS 20k 250w on Icecaps.Not to blue, nice crisp blue color and good PAR.

adtravels · 05/07/2008, 08:00 AM

i just got a coralvue 400 watt electronic ballast, which bulb do you all rccomend with this ballast, I have a BLV ushio 14k at the minute.

Darth Wader · 05/07/2008, 08:24 AM

I have to get new bulbs for my tank soon and I want to get 20k 250w double ended bulbs. Has anybody used the Megachrome Blue bulbs? Are they blue but still have good PAR? I want something that is a strong blue but not to dim. Any recomendations for 250w bulbs?

JOSE CASAS · 05/07/2008, 08:26 AM

250 Radium on SLS e-ballast.Also had the opp to run 400w Radium on the SLS Galaxy ballast and they are insane i had to go back to the 250 Radiums HTH.

trueperc · 05/07/2008, 11:14 AM

I too would like to see some more pics of tanks with 20k lighting. I was also wondering about the dulling out as one person mentioned. My LFS was using the XM 20k and thats exactly what they where saying was happening to corals they put in that tank after a few months.
Also I voted other as I don't have 20k yet but I am trying out the 250 20k reefoptics bulbs on a magnetic ballast. I choose this route has this brand is getting go reviews for people using the cheaper bulbs. Not sure if I am going to like the 20k, but the price is $35.00 a bulb, for me its worth a try.

143gadgets · 05/08/2008, 11:06 PM

Radiums all the way. Here is a pic of my new tank using 250w Radiums.

Canarygirl · 05/08/2008, 11:22 PM

Beautiful color, Chris.

OnlyCrimson · 05/08/2008, 11:47 PM

20k xm I used for a while and loved it. Switched to the ac14k for better growth recently, but lost some color.

CamBarr · 05/21/2008, 02:37 PM

any pics of 250 radium users?

143gadgets · 05/21/2008, 03:40 PM

Thanks Canary girl!

CamBarr- Take a look at my post above. I'm using radiums.

fitti69 · 05/22/2008, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 143gadgets
Thanks Canary girl!

CamBarr- Take a look at my post above. I'm using radiums.

Are you using any supplemental lighting with those ?

143gadgets · 05/22/2008, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by fitti69
Are you using any supplemental lighting with those ?

Yup. Two URI VHO Super actinics.

Jayreefer · 05/22/2008, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by docwells
Thought I would give my results. I tried the helios 20k on HQI ballast. It is a breat bulb. I got good fluorescence from corals. The bulb burnt in to a crisp white color with a hint of blue. The only downside is I now think the bulb needs to be changed and it has only been 4 monthsMy colors have started to dull. I am going with them again over a radium as the price is less and it gives more par.

Check your paramaters. I have run two Helios 20k on PFO HQI ballst. the fisrt bulb I ran for 13 months and I am on 8 months on the secound. I plan on changing out at 10-12 months. I am also thinlking about trying the 12k reeflux.

rekk · 05/23/2008, 12:26 AM

Chris, Love the rich colors you got in your tank.

You mentioned you are running radium 250W SE. I am thinking go for same 20K for deeper color on my next light upgrade. what MH ballast you are using?

Lundy24 · 05/23/2008, 01:58 AM

Where is everyone buying their Helios bulbs? I can't find any place that sells them

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

05/06/2008, 10:42 AM	#80
docwells Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 952	Thought I would give my results. I tried the helios 20k on HQI ballast. It is a breat bulb. I got good fluorescence from corals. The bulb burnt in to a crisp white color with a hint of blue. The only downside is I now think the bulb needs to be changed and it has only been 4 monthsMy colors have started to dull. I am going with them again over a radium as the price is less and it gives more par. __________________ Wellington Current Tank Info: 69 gallon AGE rimless starphire tank in progress...

05/06/2008, 11:01 AM	#82
docwells Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 952	I have read that you get 6 months out of a radium. I think most of this is on perception and not par readings. I think that 4 months is pretty short, but that is perception also. My colors have decreased. __________________ Wellington Current Tank Info: 69 gallon AGE rimless starphire tank in progress...

05/06/2008, 11:06 AM	#83
johns Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 2,684	I have wondered whether the people that say they get only 6 months for a radium are not using the HQI ballast, maybe running on electronic or some other ballast not rated to run the bulb properly. The radium is an HQI bulb (kind of atypical for an SE bulb), so I dont see why you cant get the 12 months or so, just like any DE bulb designed to run on HQI. __________________ 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

05/06/2008, 11:20 AM	#84
xtm Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Panorama City, CA Posts: 4,703	I just switched to XM 20K's (250 watts, double-ended on Icecap) I am also running 2x 54w 420nm actinics.. my tank is super BLUE. It's very hard to take pictures of without getting that super blue tinge. __________________ Function before fashion Current Tank Info: 120g SPS Tank (48x24x24)

11/22/2007, 02:55 PM	#76
antiant Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: diamond bar/brea/rowland hts. Posts: 591	xm 20k with lumenarc on M59 ballast. i just got the xm 20k yesterday, i used reeflux 10k prior and wanted more blue. i feel its a little more blue then i want though.

11/22/2007, 09:40 PM	#77
thebun Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Gold Coast Australia Posts: 8	I'am thinking of trying a 400 20k in the near future, but worried about losing the color red in certain corals. If you haved used 20k bulbs for a while, can you keep great looking reds in stylos and birdsnests? Cheers Simon

11/23/2007, 12:25 PM	#79
lechee12 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: nyc Posts: 214	does anybody know how the xm20k compares to a helios 20k being run on a PFO M58 ballast?

05/07/2008, 07:29 AM	#86
orangekush4 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 367	SPS 20k 250w on Icecaps.Not to blue, nice crisp blue color and good PAR.

05/07/2008, 08:00 AM	#87
adtravels you cant buy blue fingers Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 2,542	i just got a coralvue 400 watt electronic ballast, which bulb do you all rccomend with this ballast, I have a BLV ushio 14k at the minute. __________________ False facts are highly injurious to the progress of science, for they often endure long; but false views supported by some evidence, do little harm, for every one takes a salutary pleasure in proving their falseness. Current Tank Info: 90 gallon 36x24x24 reef

05/07/2008, 08:24 AM	#88
Darth Wader Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 263	I have to get new bulbs for my tank soon and I want to get 20k 250w double ended bulbs. Has anybody used the Megachrome Blue bulbs? Are they blue but still have good PAR? I want something that is a strong blue but not to dim. Any recomendations for 250w bulbs?

05/07/2008, 08:26 AM	#89
JOSE CASAS Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Fullerton, Califas Posts: 3,269	250 Radium on SLS e-ballast.Also had the opp to run 400w Radium on the SLS Galaxy ballast and they are insane i had to go back to the 250 Radiums HTH.

05/07/2008, 11:14 AM	#90
trueperc Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Ottawa, On, Canada Posts: 788	I too would like to see some more pics of tanks with 20k lighting. I was also wondering about the dulling out as one person mentioned. My LFS was using the XM 20k and thats exactly what they where saying was happening to corals they put in that tank after a few months. Also I voted other as I don't have 20k yet but I am trying out the 250 20k reefoptics bulbs on a magnetic ballast. I choose this route has this brand is getting go reviews for people using the cheaper bulbs. Not sure if I am going to like the 20k, but the price is $35.00 a bulb, for me its worth a try.

05/08/2008, 11:06 PM	#91
143gadgets Moved On Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 3,151	Radiums all the way. Here is a pic of my new tank using 250w Radiums.

05/08/2008, 11:22 PM	#92
Canarygirl Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 1,789	Beautiful color, Chris.

05/08/2008, 11:47 PM	#93
OnlyCrimson Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Royal Oak,Michigan Posts: 863	20k xm I used for a while and loved it. Switched to the ac14k for better growth recently, but lost some color.

05/21/2008, 02:37 PM	#94
CamBarr Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Irvine, SOCAL Posts: 2,365	any pics of 250 radium users? __________________ Cam Barr

05/21/2008, 03:40 PM	#95
143gadgets Moved On Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 3,151	Thanks Canary girl! CamBarr- Take a look at my post above. I'm using radiums.

05/23/2008, 12:26 AM	#99
rekk Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Hacienda Heights, CA Posts: 80	Chris, Love the rich colors you got in your tank. You mentioned you are running radium 250W SE. I am thinking go for same 20K for deeper color on my next light upgrade. what MH ballast you are using?

05/23/2008, 01:58 AM	#100
Lundy24 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Vancouver Posts: 65	Where is everyone buying their Helios bulbs? I can't find any place that sells them