400W 20k bulbs, need info and input

Kent E · 03/21/2008, 10:56 AM

Just wanted to get feed back on 400w 20k bulbs.

1, What have you run and did you like them?

2, How was the coloration?

3, Do you have pics?

Thanks,
kent

ROBZ · 03/21/2008, 11:08 AM

I have tried pretty much all 20k bulbs

I stick to 400 w 20k RADIUMS

the coloration is really personal preference, but it will bring amazing colors to your corals

again is personal preference, i would recommend to look at them in person dont get used bulbs cause you wouldn't be able to see them @ their best... just my 2 cents

Kent E · 03/21/2008, 11:34 AM

I'd say that works for me. Q- will a regular magnetic ballast fire them? -I heard there was potentially a problem.

ROBZ · 03/21/2008, 11:44 AM

I will but they will be pretty blue and flicker a bit, go with PFO HQI 400 ballasts or Electronic HQI ballasts
do a search for Sanjay's you probably find it in Lighting, Filtration & Other Equipment FORUM he has the best info around in bulbs|ballasts light

AudioAdict · 03/21/2008, 02:32 PM

I've been using them for about 6 months now. About to change my bulbs. Im running them on SLS E-ballast. Galaxy is the name of the ballsts.

Good relfectors really make the difference too. im sure you knew that though.

BreadmanMike · 03/21/2008, 03:43 PM

Sorry no pics, but I'm running the 20K Helios on SLS Galaxy ballasts. I like them much better then the radiums, but it's all about personal preferance.

FWIW Radiums are meant for Pulse Start ballasts and Helios for Probe start ballasts. HQI and E-ballasts will overdrive both bulbs.

Canarygirl · 03/21/2008, 04:18 PM

Quote:

I'm running the 20K Helios on SLS Galaxy ballasts. I like them much better then the radiums

Can you talk more about this? I've tried 250 watt Helios 20K and didn't like the super-blue look but I think it may have been due to the wrong ballast (Coralvue e-Ballast).

BreadmanMike · 03/21/2008, 04:24 PM

Let me clarify I was talking about 400w SE versions of Radiums and Helios.

I'm running mine on E-ballasts and love the crisp blue look it gives. I think it's personal preferance, not that one is better then another.

Canarygirl · 03/21/2008, 04:32 PM

what brand of e-Ballast are you running? Do you prefer the Helios because they appear more blue than the Radiums?

BreadmanMike · 03/21/2008, 05:07 PM

I'm running galaxy electronics by sunlight supply. Yeah the radiums are a bit more purple where the helios are more blue.

ROBZ · 03/21/2008, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BreadmanMike
Sorry no pics, but I'm running the 20K Helios on SLS Galaxy ballasts. I like them much better then the radiums, but it's all about personal preferance.

FWIW Radiums are meant for Pulse Start ballasts and Helios for Probe start ballasts. HQI and E-ballasts will overdrive both bulbs.

thats exactly why i use the HQi Ballasts in purpose to overdrive the bulb getting the optimal PAR of the bulb

thats why RADIUMS have to be changed every 7 months or less depending on the hours burned a day, been using them for ever, just preferences

me no likes Hedios

BreadmanMike · 03/21/2008, 07:11 PM

I agree ROBZ. I wouldn't bother running them on a PS ballast.

glassbox-design · 03/21/2008, 07:29 PM

XM 20k is our favorite...great over all color and really pops the corals.

Kent E · 03/21/2008, 08:07 PM

glass box, I've seen your avatar before, what is it?

glassbox-design · 03/21/2008, 08:23 PM

that would be a metal halide spotlight, not many have seen them and not many recognize it

Jayreefer · 03/21/2008, 09:54 PM

I vote for the Helious 20K on a HQI ballast. I am not a fan of the purple tint. The Helious gives great color, a nice crisp blue, and I run mine for 12 months. I tried 14 but it realy dropped off after 12.

03/21/2008, 10:56 AM	#1
Kent E One Millionth Poster Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Asheboro NC Posts: 4,273	400W 20k bulbs, need info and input Just wanted to get feed back on 400w 20k bulbs. 1, What have you run and did you like them? 2, How was the coloration? 3, Do you have pics? Thanks, kent __________________ 1000 gallon Current Tank Info: Dreaming up a new one

03/21/2008, 11:34 AM	#3
Kent E One Millionth Poster Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Asheboro NC Posts: 4,273	I'd say that works for me. Q- will a regular magnetic ballast fire them? -I heard there was potentially a problem. __________________ 1000 gallon Current Tank Info: Dreaming up a new one

03/21/2008, 11:44 AM	#4
ROBZ Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: VA Posts: 628	I will but they will be pretty blue and flicker a bit, go with PFO HQI 400 ballasts or Electronic HQI ballasts do a search for Sanjay's you probably find it in Lighting, Filtration & Other Equipment FORUM he has the best info around in bulbs\|ballasts light __________________ Robie October 2003 TOTM "Beauty really is in the eye of the beholder"...

03/21/2008, 07:29 PM	#13
glassbox-design Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: SF Posts: 3,041	XM 20k is our favorite...great over all color and really pops the corals. __________________ GLASSBOXDESIGN the modern reef blog LEDs are a 50,000 hr investment. Choose wisely. Current Tank Info: ...a new glassbox is coming Last edited by glassbox-design; 03/21/2008 at 08:03 PM.

03/21/2008, 08:07 PM	#14
Kent E One Millionth Poster Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Asheboro NC Posts: 4,273	glass box, I've seen your avatar before, what is it? __________________ 1000 gallon Current Tank Info: Dreaming up a new one

03/21/2008, 11:08 AM	#2
ROBZ Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: VA Posts: 628	I have tried pretty much all 20k bulbs I stick to 400 w 20k RADIUMS the coloration is really personal preference, but it will bring amazing colors to your corals again is personal preference, i would recommend to look at them in person dont get used bulbs cause you wouldn't be able to see them @ their best... just my 2 cents

03/21/2008, 02:32 PM	#5
AudioAdict Moved On Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: The crab nebula Posts: 237	I've been using them for about 6 months now. About to change my bulbs. Im running them on SLS E-ballast. Galaxy is the name of the ballsts. Good relfectors really make the difference too. im sure you knew that though.

03/21/2008, 03:43 PM	#6
BreadmanMike Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,886	Sorry no pics, but I'm running the 20K Helios on SLS Galaxy ballasts. I like them much better then the radiums, but it's all about personal preferance. FWIW Radiums are meant for Pulse Start ballasts and Helios for Probe start ballasts. HQI and E-ballasts will overdrive both bulbs.

03/21/2008, 04:24 PM	#8
BreadmanMike Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,886	Let me clarify I was talking about 400w SE versions of Radiums and Helios. I'm running mine on E-ballasts and love the crisp blue look it gives. I think it's personal preferance, not that one is better then another.

03/21/2008, 04:32 PM	#9
Canarygirl Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 1,789	what brand of e-Ballast are you running? Do you prefer the Helios because they appear more blue than the Radiums?

03/21/2008, 05:07 PM	#10
BreadmanMike Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,886	I'm running galaxy electronics by sunlight supply. Yeah the radiums are a bit more purple where the helios are more blue.

03/21/2008, 07:11 PM	#12
BreadmanMike Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,886	I agree ROBZ. I wouldn't bother running them on a PS ballast.

03/21/2008, 08:23 PM	#15
glassbox-design Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: SF Posts: 3,041	that would be a metal halide spotlight, not many have seen them and not many recognize it __________________ GLASSBOXDESIGN the modern reef blog LEDs are a 50,000 hr investment. Choose wisely. Current Tank Info: ...a new glassbox is coming

03/21/2008, 09:54 PM	#16
Jayreefer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Peoria Az Posts: 2,022	I vote for the Helious 20K on a HQI ballast. I am not a fan of the purple tint. The Helious gives great color, a nice crisp blue, and I run mine for 12 months. I tried 14 but it realy dropped off after 12.