250 Watt Radiums vs. 250 Watt Phoenix 14ks for SPS

hatfielj · 12/31/2008, 08:19 AM

I wanted to see if anyone has tried both and could comment on their results.
I ran 14K phoenix bulbs on my old 120gal SPS tank for over a year and got great growth and pretty good color out of them.
Then, I set up my new tank with Radiums and I must say I've not been very happy with the color or growth so far. It could be that my tank is still young, but as I remember, my old tank at this age was better looking at was getting better growth.

I'm going to be putting a 14K phoenix on one side of my tank and keeping a radium on the other. I should be able see which side gets better growth and color.

daaznmofo · 12/31/2008, 08:34 AM

each coral has diff growth rates tho. unless you put the same coral on both sides.

cato · 12/31/2008, 11:11 AM

I ran both at different times. Radiums all the way. I found close to equal growth from both but the colors from Radiums blow the 14k away IMO.

JazzZero · 12/31/2008, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cato
I ran both at different times. Radiums all the way. I found close to equal growth from both but the colors from Radiums blow the 14k away IMO.

LOL really, im for sure going with the radium next time...i have no comments to make on a comparison with radium and pheonix because i never tried radium. But, pheonix is a very good light by corals love it and its probably the best in the 14k range.

ProdigalPoster · 12/31/2008, 01:22 PM

You're going to get far better growth out of your 14K since it's closer to the spectrum the SPS really benefit from. With the 20K you'll get fantastic colors but they're very artificial to me.

I find that 20K tanks are too blue, but that's personal preference. I've seen some guys get growth out of 20Ks, but it's not like that across the board.

I one for am getting fantastic colors with a 13K bulb and I would never want to switch.

cato · 12/31/2008, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ProdigalPoster
You're going to get far better growth out of your 14K since it's closer to the spectrum the SPS really benefit from. With the 20K you'll get fantastic colors but they're very artificial to me.

I find that 20K tanks are too blue, but that's personal preference. I've seen some guys get growth out of 20Ks, but it's not like that across the board.

On my system, there was no appreciably difference in growth rates btwn the 2. Keep in mind ballast/reflector type does count. I can only vouch for the Coralvue e-ballast and Lumenarc reflectors. I love both bulbs and honestly you can't go wrong with either. Radiums will cost you more $$$ too. I wasn't sure initially on the Radium 20k look either as I don't care for an overly blue tank myself. My Phoenix's were pretty white on my ballasts and reflector combo and to my eye (and many whom have seen my tank) it is still a crisp white with a hint of blue. Not overly blue at all. Please don't ask for a pic because my photo skills and camera suk. LOL

All I can say is I'm sold on the Radiums until something better comes along.

myzislow · 12/31/2008, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ProdigalPoster
You're going to get far better growth out of your 14K since it's closer to the spectrum the SPS really benefit from. With the 20K you'll get fantastic colors but they're very artificial to me.

I find that 20K tanks are too blue, but that's personal preference. I've seen some guys get growth out of 20Ks, but it's not like that across the board.

I one for am getting fantastic colors with a 13K bulb and I would never want to switch.

Usually this isn't the case with radiums. In fact the phoenix 14k isn't really a 14k bulb, its closer to a 20k and is actually more blue then the radium "20k" for the most part. This is obv dependent on what ballast you are running but generally speaking the phoenix is going to be bluer of the 2. Radiums all the way.

vapormd · 12/31/2008, 02:50 PM

I've run both on my tank, and prefer the radiums. With the right ballasts and reflectors, I don't think you'll notice much difference in growth rates between the two, and I certainly haven't. I ran both bulbs with HQI magnetic ballasts (PFO), and the Phoenix's were in Reef Optix III's and the Radiums are in Lumenarc minis.

Visually, both are fairly similar in overall color, although the radiums are less monochromatic to my eye, and seem a little "crisper" in color. Neither was very blue, IMO, like I've seen them when run on older e-ballasts or on non-HQI mag ballasts. So I think the ballast is fairly important in terms of the color you'll get out of the bulb.

About the major pluses for the Phoenix were cost and longeviity. The radiums seem to color shift a little earlier than the Phoenix's, and thus are more expensive to run, both in terms of actual bulb cost and having to switch them a little earlier.

HTHs

cato · 12/31/2008, 03:51 PM

The only lousy part (unless you run 150W) is the Phoenix is DE and the Radiums are mogul. Kinda stunk that I needed to buy new reflectors but in the end it was worth it.

JazzZero · 12/31/2008, 04:32 PM

Hmm not to hijack your thread but i have a question of my own is there a differnece in light from a 150W and 250W or are they the same as long as the bulbs are the same?

kdblove_99 · 01/01/2009, 12:34 AM

Radiums are very nice

solitude127 · 01/01/2009, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by cato
The only lousy part (unless you run 150W) is the Phoenix is DE and the Radiums are mogul. Kinda stunk that I needed to buy new reflectors but in the end it was worth it.

check this out.
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewIt...y=FILTBUMHSEHW
I wonder if this is going to be the same as their DE bulb

kdblove_99 · 01/01/2009, 12:55 AM

So its finally out. That price is ridiculous! No way should that be more than a Radium!

Wayner2 · 01/01/2009, 09:55 AM

No 250W Mogul Phoenix??

kdblove_99 · 01/01/2009, 10:10 AM

Didnt u click the link? They have 250W moguls $99.99

Lo0seR · 01/01/2009, 10:41 AM

Ya they had the 250W Mogul Phoenix but what ballast do they recommend? It's not rated as an HQI? So any ballast can fire this bulb? You will notice in there bulb section they do not highlight the Phoenix with an asterisks (HQI ballast needed) like the Ushio or Radium and AB. Need some key data on this bulb that I will never purchase for $99

Wayner2 · 01/01/2009, 10:43 AM

Got it now, everything is a little more difficult today if you know what I mean , Happy New Year, be interested in hearing about those who will be running the 250W on a M80 - Hqi ballast -

kdblove_99 · 01/01/2009, 10:45 AM

I thought it was suppose top be an HQI bulb.

cato · 01/01/2009, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by solitude127
check this out.
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewIt...y=FILTBUMHSEHW
I wonder if this is going to be the same as their DE bulb

Hey look at that. They're finally out. Holy crap on the price though.

gcarroll · 01/01/2009, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by kdblove_99
I thought it was suppose top be an HQI bulb.

I was told that it would be an HQI bulb as the internal envelope is directly out of the De bulb. In the pic on MD's website I do not see an ignitor.

SuperR* · 01/01/2009, 04:17 PM

Phoenix

kdblove_99 · 01/01/2009, 05:33 PM

Greg,
so its not HQI and they are Charging $99 for it, That is robbery! I will stick to my Radiums and Aquamaxxs. I would like to try it but thats just too much

Kissfan79 · 01/01/2009, 05:48 PM

Does anyone know what the color of the 150 watt Phoenix 14k bulbs tend to be on the ballasts that are in the Current Outer Orbit line? I am getting ready to buy new bulbs for the Outer Orbbit I am using aand would prefer the "bluer" look that I have heard of with the Phoenix but more and more it seems I am hearing of it being a "crisp white with a blue tint". Anyone have any experience with these bulbs on a 6' Current Outer Orbit?

Thanks, Jim

12/31/2008, 08:19 AM	#1
hatfielj Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 1,234	250 Watt Radiums vs. 250 Watt Phoenix 14ks for SPS I wanted to see if anyone has tried both and could comment on their results. I ran 14K phoenix bulbs on my old 120gal SPS tank for over a year and got great growth and pretty good color out of them. Then, I set up my new tank with Radiums and I must say I've not been very happy with the color or growth so far. It could be that my tank is still young, but as I remember, my old tank at this age was better looking at was getting better growth. I'm going to be putting a 14K phoenix on one side of my tank and keeping a radium on the other. I should be able see which side gets better growth and color.

12/31/2008, 11:11 AM	#3
cato New England Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: CT Posts: 5,450	I ran both at different times. Radiums all the way. I found close to equal growth from both but the colors from Radiums blow the 14k away IMO. __________________ -Cato I swear it's an illness... Current Tank Info: On Hiatus

12/31/2008, 03:51 PM	#9
cato New England Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: CT Posts: 5,450	The only lousy part (unless you run 150W) is the Phoenix is DE and the Radiums are mogul. Kinda stunk that I needed to buy new reflectors but in the end it was worth it. __________________ -Cato I swear it's an illness... Current Tank Info: On Hiatus

01/01/2009, 10:41 AM	#16
Lo0seR Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: La Mesa, Ca. Posts: 443	Ya they had the 250W Mogul Phoenix but what ballast do they recommend? It's not rated as an HQI? So any ballast can fire this bulb? You will notice in there bulb section they do not highlight the Phoenix with an asterisks (HQI ballast needed) like the Ushio or Radium and AB. Need some key data on this bulb that I will never purchase for $99 __________________ Here's to the losers, bless them all... Mr.F.S Current Tank Info: 240 LeeMar Euro FlatPolished

12/31/2008, 08:34 AM	#2
daaznmofo Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 87	each coral has diff growth rates tho. unless you put the same coral on both sides.

12/31/2008, 01:22 PM	#5
ProdigalPoster Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 784	You're going to get far better growth out of your 14K since it's closer to the spectrum the SPS really benefit from. With the 20K you'll get fantastic colors but they're very artificial to me. I find that 20K tanks are too blue, but that's personal preference. I've seen some guys get growth out of 20Ks, but it's not like that across the board. I one for am getting fantastic colors with a 13K bulb and I would never want to switch.

12/31/2008, 02:50 PM	#8
vapormd Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 600	I've run both on my tank, and prefer the radiums. With the right ballasts and reflectors, I don't think you'll notice much difference in growth rates between the two, and I certainly haven't. I ran both bulbs with HQI magnetic ballasts (PFO), and the Phoenix's were in Reef Optix III's and the Radiums are in Lumenarc minis. Visually, both are fairly similar in overall color, although the radiums are less monochromatic to my eye, and seem a little "crisper" in color. Neither was very blue, IMO, like I've seen them when run on older e-ballasts or on non-HQI mag ballasts. So I think the ballast is fairly important in terms of the color you'll get out of the bulb. About the major pluses for the Phoenix were cost and longeviity. The radiums seem to color shift a little earlier than the Phoenix's, and thus are more expensive to run, both in terms of actual bulb cost and having to switch them a little earlier. HTHs

12/31/2008, 04:32 PM	#10
JazzZero Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 621	Hmm not to hijack your thread but i have a question of my own is there a differnece in light from a 150W and 250W or are they the same as long as the bulbs are the same?

01/01/2009, 12:34 AM	#11
kdblove_99 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Frederick,CO Posts: 8,683	Radiums are very nice

01/01/2009, 12:55 AM	#13
kdblove_99 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Frederick,CO Posts: 8,683	So its finally out. That price is ridiculous! No way should that be more than a Radium!

01/01/2009, 09:55 AM	#14
Wayner2 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Calgary, AB Posts: 270	No 250W Mogul Phoenix??

01/01/2009, 10:10 AM	#15
kdblove_99 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Frederick,CO Posts: 8,683	Didnt u click the link? They have 250W moguls $99.99

01/01/2009, 10:43 AM	#17
Wayner2 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Calgary, AB Posts: 270	Got it now, everything is a little more difficult today if you know what I mean , Happy New Year, be interested in hearing about those who will be running the 250W on a M80 - Hqi ballast -

01/01/2009, 10:45 AM	#18
kdblove_99 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Frederick,CO Posts: 8,683	I thought it was suppose top be an HQI bulb.

01/01/2009, 04:17 PM	#21
SuperR* Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 457	Phoenix

01/01/2009, 05:33 PM	#22
kdblove_99 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Frederick,CO Posts: 8,683	Greg, so its not HQI and they are Charging $99 for it, That is robbery! I will stick to my Radiums and Aquamaxxs. I would like to try it but thats just too much

01/01/2009, 05:48 PM	#23
Kissfan79 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 558	Does anyone know what the color of the 150 watt Phoenix 14k bulbs tend to be on the ballasts that are in the Current Outer Orbit line? I am getting ready to buy new bulbs for the Outer Orbbit I am using aand would prefer the "bluer" look that I have heard of with the Phoenix but more and more it seems I am hearing of it being a "crisp white with a blue tint". Anyone have any experience with these bulbs on a 6' Current Outer Orbit? Thanks, Jim