Most comparable bulb to radiums

The Saltman · 05/15/2009, 04:07 PM

Hi guys,

I am running 3 400 watt ushio 14k bulbs on a sunlight supply magnetic ballast. It seems a little too white for my liking. I'm really interested in going to 20k and really here good things about radiums. However, I'm not interested in replacing the bulbs twice a year. Can you guys give me some good bulbs, or even a combination that I might like? I also was looking at the xm20k's.

Jadams · 05/15/2009, 04:08 PM

The XM's are really nice too!

fasteddie7 · 05/15/2009, 04:26 PM

i've tried xm, hamilton, and reflux bulbs. nothing compares to the radiums i'm running now. not knocking the other bulbs, but, very satisfied with the radiums!

stagcrazy · 05/15/2009, 04:42 PM

ive seen helios and they are very nice to me nicer than radiums jmo

dailydriven911 · 05/15/2009, 05:55 PM

Yep the helios/evc 20k's are probable the closest your going to get to radiums. I think they might be a little bluer though.

Toddrtrex · 05/15/2009, 06:00 PM

Right before I got my Radiums (( 250 watt )) I was using the XM20Ks. When I was doing the switch over, I left the left side with an XM, and the right was Radium (( both on a galaxy ballast )). There was a difference, but not a whole lot -- left that combo that way for a week, so the Radium could burn in.

I am going to see if I notice any color differences in the corals over long term, but as of right now I am not sure if the Radiums are worth the extra money.

This weekend I am going to try to take some pictures, all Radium, all XM, and then a mix to see the difference.

Granted, this is over my 58 (( 3 feet long )) so there is a lot of blending of the bulbs, so that might be why I had time noticing a huge difference.

snorvich · 05/15/2009, 06:27 PM

Todd, I have definitely had color differences in some of my SPS corals with Radiums.

The Saltman · 05/15/2009, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dailydriven911
Yep the helios/evc 20k's are probable the closest your going to get to radiums. I think they might be a little bluer though.

I've heard this about the helios. I was told this is the closest thing to get to radiums. Does anyone else agree with this?

Toddrtrex · 05/15/2009, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by snorvich
Todd, I have definitely had color differences in some of my SPS corals with Radiums.

Steve, I know this might be hard to answer... brighter, darker, or just "better"?

orangekush4 · 05/15/2009, 08:51 PM

I have used almost every 20k bulb and the helios are very nice bulbs. They are bluer then the Radiums. IME helios look nothing like the radiums. I'm going by the 400w version only, that's what I use. I'm running Radiums right now. Helios do make the corals pop, but the radiums do the same and are brighter.

The Saltman · 05/16/2009, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by orangekush4
I have used almost every 20k bulb and the helios are very nice bulbs. They are bluer then the Radiums. IME helios look nothing like the radiums. I'm going by the 400w version only, that's what I use. I'm running Radiums right now. Helios do make the corals pop, but the radiums do the same and are brighter.

Im just curious. You say the helios are bluer than the radiums, but they look nothing like them. What do you mean by this?

05/15/2009, 04:07 PM	#1
The Saltman Moved On Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Northwest Ohio Posts: 1,642	Most comparable bulb to radiums Hi guys, I am running 3 400 watt ushio 14k bulbs on a sunlight supply magnetic ballast. It seems a little too white for my liking. I'm really interested in going to 20k and really here good things about radiums. However, I'm not interested in replacing the bulbs twice a year. Can you guys give me some good bulbs, or even a combination that I might like? I also was looking at the xm20k's.

05/15/2009, 04:08 PM	#2
Jadams Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 4,475	The XM's are really nice too! __________________ Jeremy

05/15/2009, 04:26 PM	#3
fasteddie7 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: o-town Posts: 86	i've tried xm, hamilton, and reflux bulbs. nothing compares to the radiums i'm running now. not knocking the other bulbs, but, very satisfied with the radiums! __________________ life is short...play hard!! Current Tank Info: 90 gallon reef...

05/15/2009, 06:00 PM	#6
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	Right before I got my Radiums (( 250 watt )) I was using the XM20Ks. When I was doing the switch over, I left the left side with an XM, and the right was Radium (( both on a galaxy ballast )). There was a difference, but not a whole lot -- left that combo that way for a week, so the Radium could burn in. I am going to see if I notice any color differences in the corals over long term, but as of right now I am not sure if the Radiums are worth the extra money. This weekend I am going to try to take some pictures, all Radium, all XM, and then a mix to see the difference. Granted, this is over my 58 (( 3 feet long )) so there is a lot of blending of the bulbs, so that might be why I had time noticing a huge difference. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

05/15/2009, 06:27 PM	#7
snorvich Team RC member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Outlander Posts: 40,953 Blog Entries: 46	Todd, I have definitely had color differences in some of my SPS corals with Radiums. __________________ Warmest regards, ~Steve~

05/15/2009, 04:42 PM	#4
stagcrazy Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: hialeah Posts: 1,493	ive seen helios and they are very nice to me nicer than radiums jmo

05/15/2009, 05:55 PM	#5
dailydriven911 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Bonney Lake, WA Posts: 550	Yep the helios/evc 20k's are probable the closest your going to get to radiums. I think they might be a little bluer though.

05/15/2009, 08:51 PM	#10
orangekush4 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 367	I have used almost every 20k bulb and the helios are very nice bulbs. They are bluer then the Radiums. IME helios look nothing like the radiums. I'm going by the 400w version only, that's what I use. I'm running Radiums right now. Helios do make the corals pop, but the radiums do the same and are brighter.