20K 400 watt MH preferences

Chris Witort · 07/28/2007, 02:01 PM

Many of the most colorful MH lit tanks I have seen are lit by 20K bulbs which brand Ushio, radium, XM etc. of 20k 400w do most people prefer. I know that its a matter of preference but I'd still like to know what others think.

shag26272 · 07/28/2007, 02:54 PM

I like the Radium but I might try a Helios next, which ballast are you using.

Chris Witort · 07/28/2007, 04:21 PM

I am leaning twards icecaps.

Nick A · 07/28/2007, 06:36 PM

I don't know if I want to run 20k's again since I'm more of a white light fan. If I were to choose 20k again I'd probably try out the radiums or XMs.

kau_cinta_ku · 07/28/2007, 08:25 PM

I like the color of my XM's but it's the only brand i have tried as i just got them 3 days ago and haven't burnt in yet but still a nice color

chaffey · 07/28/2007, 09:49 PM

20K...I think it too much blue/purple color.

bogg · 07/28/2007, 10:10 PM

I really miss my 20k xm se 400'wer

Lo0seR · 07/29/2007, 08:56 PM

I love the XM's but the Ushio 20k is my favorite.

Chris Witort · 07/30/2007, 06:34 PM

Ushio, radium, XM; Crud, I guess I'll have to try them all!

Jar*Head · 07/30/2007, 07:18 PM

I have try Radium, XM, Helios, and Ushio. I like Radium best. I don't know why people think it has too much blue. My 4 radium 400w with Galaxy ballast burn like 14K. Here is some pic

Chris Witort · 07/31/2007, 12:01 AM

Thanks for the input "REEFER714", looks like you are using vho's also. How do they look on their own?

Chris Witort · 07/31/2007, 12:03 AM

I like your tank by the way, It's good to be square!

hahnmeister · 07/31/2007, 02:06 AM

What is that... like th 4th time you have changed your lights? Do you have just 2 halides on light rails, or are their 4 now?

Jar*Head · 07/31/2007, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Chris Witort
Thanks for the input "REEFER714", looks like you are using vho's also. How do they look on their own?

It look very nice without the VHO. I don't fire the VHO with the MH anymore. The VHO on 1hr before the MH and off 15min after MH turn on and i turn the VHO back on for the last 1hr after the MH turn off. It look like a true 14K bulb, all my zoo look much better.

Jar*Head · 07/31/2007, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Chris Witort
I like your tank by the way, It's good to be square!

I love the dimension. But it is a PITA everytime i move into new place. Cube tank is much easier to aquascape.

Jar*Head · 07/31/2007, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by hahnmeister
What is that... like th 4th time you have changed your lights? Do you have just 2 halides on light rails, or are their 4 now?

I have try everything from 1000w - 250w. I used to have 2x400w with HQI ballast on the solar revolution, then i change to 4x 250w on the mover. Finally, i am settled with 4x400w (galaxy ballast) with some VHO for dust-dawn simulation.

E-A-G-L-E-S · 07/31/2007, 10:37 AM

reefer714...what did you think of the Helio's? What ballast and watt did you run?

Jar*Head · 07/31/2007, 10:55 AM

I have try both 250w and 400w on PFO HQI ballast. Helios a little dimmer, bluer but it will bring out the color of your corals more (Pop). It also deliver higher Par per Sanjay. IMO, i like the Radium more cuz it is bright and it doesn't have too much blue.

I have couple misfire incident with Helios (the bulb got burn out after a few months) or the bulb burning pink..... This is the first time i run the Galaxy (electronic ballast) so far i am very happy with it.

GSMguy · 07/31/2007, 10:55 AM

lots of helios users out there lately

is there a spectral plot for them

E-A-G-L-E-S · 07/31/2007, 11:06 AM

Radium brighter visually than Helio's? I usually here the other way?

Jar*Head · 07/31/2007, 11:21 AM

Yes, Radium is a bit brighter, whiter color compare to Helios. You can check with Eric at **********. that is what he use in this system. Helios bluer therefore it a bit dimmer....

Jar*Head · 07/31/2007, 11:23 AM

GSM, you can check on Sanjay lighting. He doesn't have the 250w but he does have the 400w on there.

Gobyonekanobe · 02/10/2010, 05:37 PM

i like my ushio but recently have tried xm and i like there spectrum a little better and seemed to keep longer too.hahahaha three years later

07/28/2007, 02:01 PM	#1
Chris Witort Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Western Washington Posts: 556	20K 400 watt MH preferences Many of the most colorful MH lit tanks I have seen are lit by 20K bulbs which brand Ushio, radium, XM etc. of 20k 400w do most people prefer. I know that its a matter of preference but I'd still like to know what others think.

07/28/2007, 02:54 PM	#2
shag26272 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 3,088	I like the Radium but I might try a Helios next, which ballast are you using. __________________ .

07/28/2007, 10:10 PM	#7
bogg Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: San Diego Posts: 1,174	I really miss my 20k xm se 400'wer __________________ And God said let the water teem with living creatures and he saw that it was good. Current Tank Info: Elos 120xl, 2 planet 2's, KZs, wavy sea/Tunze

07/29/2007, 08:56 PM	#8
Lo0seR Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: La Mesa, Ca. Posts: 443	I love the XM's but the Ushio 20k is my favorite. __________________ Here's to the losers, bless them all... Mr.F.S Current Tank Info: 240 LeeMar Euro FlatPolished

07/30/2007, 07:18 PM	#10
Jar*Head Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 8,630	I have try Radium, XM, Helios, and Ushio. I like Radium best. I don't know why people think it has too much blue. My 4 radium 400w with Galaxy ballast burn like 14K. Here is some pic __________________ Steve Tankless. Current Tank Info: 480g peninsula

07/28/2007, 04:21 PM	#3
Chris Witort Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Western Washington Posts: 556	I am leaning twards icecaps.

07/28/2007, 06:36 PM	#4
Nick A Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Santa Clarita,CA Posts: 974	I don't know if I want to run 20k's again since I'm more of a white light fan. If I were to choose 20k again I'd probably try out the radiums or XMs.

07/28/2007, 08:25 PM	#5
kau_cinta_ku Moved On Join Date: May 2005 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 8,669	I like the color of my XM's but it's the only brand i have tried as i just got them 3 days ago and haven't burnt in yet but still a nice color

07/28/2007, 09:49 PM	#6
chaffey Moved On Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Placentia / Rancho Cucamonga Posts: 2,080	20K...I think it too much blue/purple color.

07/30/2007, 06:34 PM	#9
Chris Witort Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Western Washington Posts: 556	Ushio, radium, XM; Crud, I guess I'll have to try them all!

07/31/2007, 12:01 AM	#11
Chris Witort Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Western Washington Posts: 556	Thanks for the input "REEFER714", looks like you are using vho's also. How do they look on their own?

07/31/2007, 12:03 AM	#12
Chris Witort Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Western Washington Posts: 556	I like your tank by the way, It's good to be square!

07/31/2007, 02:06 AM	#13
hahnmeister Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brew City, WI Posts: 10,156	What is that... like th 4th time you have changed your lights? Do you have just 2 halides on light rails, or are their 4 now?

07/31/2007, 10:37 AM	#17
E-A-G-L-E-S Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 7,038	reefer714...what did you think of the Helio's? What ballast and watt did you run? __________________ Smug Egotistical Contemptuous It's difficult to get a man to understand something that his salary requires him not to.

07/31/2007, 10:55 AM	#18
Jar*Head Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 8,630	I have try both 250w and 400w on PFO HQI ballast. Helios a little dimmer, bluer but it will bring out the color of your corals more (Pop). It also deliver higher Par per Sanjay. IMO, i like the Radium more cuz it is bright and it doesn't have too much blue. I have couple misfire incident with Helios (the bulb got burn out after a few months) or the bulb burning pink..... This is the first time i run the Galaxy (electronic ballast) so far i am very happy with it. __________________ Steve Tankless. Current Tank Info: 480g peninsula

07/31/2007, 10:55 AM	#19
GSMguy Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Northern New Mexico Posts: 17,420	lots of helios users out there lately is there a spectral plot for them __________________ Nick. Conehead. Shallow Reef club. Current Tank Info: 48"x27"x14" Envision Acrylic rimless, 6x39w ATi Sunpower, Custom ATB Deluxe Skimmer, 4x tunze nano stream,ATB flowstar 1500, ACJR, Tunze osmolator.

07/31/2007, 11:06 AM	#20
E-A-G-L-E-S Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 7,038	Radium brighter visually than Helio's? I usually here the other way? __________________ Smug Egotistical Contemptuous It's difficult to get a man to understand something that his salary requires him not to.

07/31/2007, 11:21 AM	#21
Jar*Head Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 8,630	Yes, Radium is a bit brighter, whiter color compare to Helios. You can check with Eric at **********. that is what he use in this system. Helios bluer therefore it a bit dimmer.... __________________ Steve Tankless. Current Tank Info: 480g peninsula

07/31/2007, 11:23 AM	#22
Jar*Head Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 8,630	GSM, you can check on Sanjay lighting. He doesn't have the 250w but he does have the 400w on there. __________________ Steve Tankless. Current Tank Info: 480g peninsula

02/10/2010, 05:37 PM	#23
Gobyonekanobe Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 8	i like my ushio but recently have tried xm and i like there spectrum a little better and seemed to keep longer too.hahahaha three years later