14k Phoenix or 20k Radium? HELP!!

DiazE · 03/19/2009, 05:07 PM

I am due for a bulb change on my dual 150mh Sundial HQI and would like to try a different bulb. I am torn between Phoenix and Radium bulbs. I Need some advise and some pictures would also help.

tripinpn01 · 03/19/2009, 05:29 PM

radium puts out amazing colors and are pretty good on par. i would go there. but i think if you want more growth go with the phoenix

DiazE · 03/19/2009, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tripinpn01
radium puts out amazing colors and are pretty good on par. i would go there. but i think if you want more growth go with the phoenix

That's a hard choice. I read somewhere that 20k had less PAR than 14k; is this correct?

Merfin70 · 03/19/2009, 07:18 PM

I like my Radium better than I liked my Phoemix. The phoenix washed out my colors and made everything look purple-ish to me. The radium on my HQI is a nice white with a tint of blue. Probably correct that growth isn't as good with my Radium but its still pretty impressive and my colors are much nicer.

reefermansps · 03/19/2009, 08:40 PM

I would go w/ the pheonix 14ks I use them and love them. I switched from 20ks abd the growth went threw the water.

DiazE · 03/20/2009, 07:39 AM

Merfin70 and reefermansps:

Can I see some pictures on both for comparison?

GTR · 03/20/2009, 08:04 AM

To get a response from reefermansps you'll need to wait until he reincarnates... again. lol

Skeptic_07 · 03/20/2009, 08:37 AM

i really liked my 150w phoenix. FWIW, I read that the DE radiums aren't nearly as good as the 250w and 400w moguls. I would buy both and try them out.

DiazE · 03/20/2009, 08:40 AM

Thanks to all opinions, keep them coming, and if you can post some pics!

backej1 · 03/20/2009, 08:40 AM

I use the 20k Radiums on my 450 gallon. I love them. My SPS have grown and the colors are great.

I also have the 14K Phoenix bulbs on my 165 gallon. They work on there but it's only filled with softies.

If you have SPS, my vote is Radiums all the way.

DiazE · 03/20/2009, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by backej1
I use the 20k Radiums on my 450 gallon. I love them. My SPS have grown and the colors are great.

I also have the 14K Phoenix bulbs on my 165 gallon. They work on there but it's only filled with softies.

If you have SPS, my vote is Radiums all the way.

I would love to see the difference from both tanks.

SHOmuchFUN · 03/20/2009, 08:54 AM

I didn't even think they MADE DE Radium bulbs... I've been wrong before.

DiazE · 03/20/2009, 08:59 AM

Check out Hellolights.com

SHOmuchFUN · 03/20/2009, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DiazE
Check out Hellolights.com

Sorry, thought we were talking 250 watters.

Airborne · 03/20/2009, 09:06 AM

I have the Phoenix 14k and love the growth factor. I will have to agree that some corals will not color as well and will appear to wash out. Just my observation.

I will probably try Radium next.

DiazE · 03/20/2009, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Airborne
I have the Phoenix 14k and love the growth factor. I will have to agree that some corals will not color as well and will appear to wash out. Just my observation.

I will probably try Radium next.

Just to put a joke out there.
How much does the Government "Us" pay for a Radium bulb?
I see your occupation says Government.

Merfin70 · 03/20/2009, 07:06 PM

For what it's worth, here you go with some pics. I can't vouch for my photographic skills or there being similar conditions however so use them with care.

Radium

Phoenix

HaroldT · 03/20/2009, 07:57 PM

I prefer the look of the Radium bulb. I don't like the look from Phoenix the bulbs.

Merfin70 · 03/20/2009, 08:03 PM

Yep, that's the reason I switched when the Phoenix started to shift to be even more purple. Things grew well but all looked the same and washed out.

DiazE · 03/20/2009, 08:19 PM

I agree, but it's too late, I already hit the enter key and placed an order for the Phoenix. How long did it take for it to shift to that blue hue? It looks like you have actinics. I am surprised to see the radium looks brighter, considering what most say, that it's more blue.

Merfin70 · 03/20/2009, 08:36 PM

Sorry about that, I can't get to my pics at work. I do run (2) 24w T5 ATI Blue Plus along with the 150w MH. The phoenix started off nice for me but really showed the shift about 3-5 months in based on pics I've taken over time.

I suspect that most of what you've read about on the Radiums being blue are the 250/400s as those are supposed to be very blue. Not too much info out there on the 150w DEs that I found when I was looking. The Radium 150w in my HQI ballast is very white/bright with a nice ice blue tint to it. I really like it.

Sounds like you have some time before another bulb but I was also pretty happy with the Reeflux 12k. Similar to the Radium in my ballast but a little bit whiter.

James77 · 03/20/2009, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DiazE
I agree, but it's too late, I already hit the enter key and placed an order for the Phoenix. How long did it take for it to shift to that blue hue? It looks like you have actinics. I am surprised to see the radium looks brighter, considering what most say, that it's more blue.

The depends alot on what ballast they are using for the Radium. If they are using electronics, the bulb is underdriven- resulting in less output, more blue, and shorter life.

HQI ballasts run the Radium to spec- it has very good PAR and will last at least a year. It is a bright crisp white, with a good amount of blue in it- more of a 14k than a 20k. I was almost dissapointed with how white it is, but I am also adding actinics.

03/19/2009, 05:07 PM	#1
DiazE Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Jersey City, NJ Posts: 765	14k Phoenix or 20k Radium? HELP!! I am due for a bulb change on my dual 150mh Sundial HQI and would like to try a different bulb. I am torn between Phoenix and Radium bulbs. I Need some advise and some pictures would also help.

03/19/2009, 07:18 PM	#4
Merfin70 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 595 Blog Entries: 1	I like my Radium better than I liked my Phoemix. The phoenix washed out my colors and made everything look purple-ish to me. The radium on my HQI is a nice white with a tint of blue. Probably correct that growth isn't as good with my Radium but its still pretty impressive and my colors are much nicer. __________________ George Current Tank: Jan 2010, Custom Cadlights 65g Starfire Shallow Rimless (36"x24"x17") with 24g Sump, ATI Sunpower 6x39w, Aquamaxx ConeS CO 1, Vortech MP40 + MP10, Return Eheim 1260

03/20/2009, 08:04 AM	#7
GTR Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Twin Falls, ID Posts: 7,152	To get a response from reefermansps you'll need to wait until he reincarnates... again. lol __________________ AKA, Riff

03/20/2009, 08:54 AM	#12
SHOmuchFUN Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Vermont Posts: 4,461	I didn't even think they MADE DE Radium bulbs... I've been wrong before. __________________ Erik Engstrom President, Vermont Marine Aquarists. Current Tank Info: Custom 180gal, 6x80w ATI T-5s, (2) Tunze 6025, Vortec MP40w, MSX200 w/ red demon, controlled by AcJR.

03/20/2009, 07:06 PM	#17
Merfin70 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 595 Blog Entries: 1	For what it's worth, here you go with some pics. I can't vouch for my photographic skills or there being similar conditions however so use them with care. Radium Phoenix __________________ George Current Tank: Jan 2010, Custom Cadlights 65g Starfire Shallow Rimless (36"x24"x17") with 24g Sump, ATI Sunpower 6x39w, Aquamaxx ConeS CO 1, Vortech MP40 + MP10, Return Eheim 1260

03/19/2009, 05:29 PM	#2
tripinpn01 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: oc Posts: 786	radium puts out amazing colors and are pretty good on par. i would go there. but i think if you want more growth go with the phoenix

03/19/2009, 08:40 PM	#5
reefermansps Moved On Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: The desert USA Posts: 1	I would go w/ the pheonix 14ks I use them and love them. I switched from 20ks abd the growth went threw the water.

03/20/2009, 07:39 AM	#6
DiazE Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Jersey City, NJ Posts: 765	Merfin70 and reefermansps: Can I see some pictures on both for comparison?

03/20/2009, 08:37 AM	#8
Skeptic_07 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: lawn guy land Posts: 1,418	i really liked my 150w phoenix. FWIW, I read that the DE radiums aren't nearly as good as the 250w and 400w moguls. I would buy both and try them out.

03/20/2009, 08:40 AM	#9
DiazE Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Jersey City, NJ Posts: 765	Thanks to all opinions, keep them coming, and if you can post some pics!

03/20/2009, 08:40 AM	#10
backej1 Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 120	I use the 20k Radiums on my 450 gallon. I love them. My SPS have grown and the colors are great. I also have the 14K Phoenix bulbs on my 165 gallon. They work on there but it's only filled with softies. If you have SPS, my vote is Radiums all the way.

03/20/2009, 08:59 AM	#13
DiazE Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Jersey City, NJ Posts: 765	Check out Hellolights.com

03/20/2009, 09:06 AM	#15
Airborne Moved On Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Burbank,CA Posts: 574	I have the Phoenix 14k and love the growth factor. I will have to agree that some corals will not color as well and will appear to wash out. Just my observation. I will probably try Radium next.

03/20/2009, 07:57 PM	#18
HaroldT Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Fresno, California Posts: 582	I prefer the look of the Radium bulb. I don't like the look from Phoenix the bulbs.

03/20/2009, 08:03 PM	#19
Merfin70 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 595 Blog Entries: 1	Yep, that's the reason I switched when the Phoenix started to shift to be even more purple. Things grew well but all looked the same and washed out. __________________ George Current Tank: Jan 2010, Custom Cadlights 65g Starfire Shallow Rimless (36"x24"x17") with 24g Sump, ATI Sunpower 6x39w, Aquamaxx ConeS CO 1, Vortech MP40 + MP10, Return Eheim 1260

03/20/2009, 08:19 PM	#20
DiazE Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Jersey City, NJ Posts: 765	I agree, but it's too late, I already hit the enter key and placed an order for the Phoenix. How long did it take for it to shift to that blue hue? It looks like you have actinics. I am surprised to see the radium looks brighter, considering what most say, that it's more blue.

03/20/2009, 08:36 PM	#21
Merfin70 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 595 Blog Entries: 1	Sorry about that, I can't get to my pics at work. I do run (2) 24w T5 ATI Blue Plus along with the 150w MH. The phoenix started off nice for me but really showed the shift about 3-5 months in based on pics I've taken over time. I suspect that most of what you've read about on the Radiums being blue are the 250/400s as those are supposed to be very blue. Not too much info out there on the 150w DEs that I found when I was looking. The Radium 150w in my HQI ballast is very white/bright with a nice ice blue tint to it. I really like it. Sounds like you have some time before another bulb but I was also pretty happy with the Reeflux 12k. Similar to the Radium in my ballast but a little bit whiter. __________________ George Current Tank: Jan 2010, Custom Cadlights 65g Starfire Shallow Rimless (36"x24"x17") with 24g Sump, ATI Sunpower 6x39w, Aquamaxx ConeS CO 1, Vortech MP40 + MP10, Return Eheim 1260