Which 150w halide is more blue? Radium 20K or Phoenix 14K?

sahin · 11/10/2009, 04:36 AM

I know on different ballasts they will appear different. But for those who have used BOTH, can you tell me which appears more blue?

I have a Phoenix 14K running on an electronic ballast (I modded the JBJ lighting Magnetic Ballast). I am happy with the colour, but would prefer bluer.

So if I buy the Radium next, will it burn bluer than the Phoenix?

sahin · 11/12/2009, 05:32 AM

Any ideas? Someone must have had tried both these bulbs?

adunne · 11/12/2009, 07:17 AM

I have 2 x 150 MH's running on my tank. 1 is a phoenix and the other is a radium. I would have to say that they are pretty darn close in color. So much so that if i didnt know which bulb was where i couldnt pick out the radium.

OneReef · 11/12/2009, 08:51 AM

Does the 150w phoenix or the 150w radium put out more par?

sahin · 11/12/2009, 10:35 AM

Adunne: Are you running them on mag or electronic ballasts?

Onereef: The Radium puts out more PAR as far as I know.

Jared J · 11/12/2009, 12:00 PM

The 20k Raduim would be bluer. These are both 150w bulbs.

Heres a 14K Phoenix

and a 20k Radium

sahin · 11/12/2009, 12:11 PM

Jared, many thanks for the pics. What ballasts (mag or electronic) are you running the bulbs on?

sahin · 11/12/2009, 12:12 PM

PS, is the Radium as blue as it appears on the photo? If it is, that would be great as I love the colour!

stanlalee · 11/12/2009, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jared J

The 20k Raduim would be bluer. These are both 150w bulbs.

why cross reference two tanks with two different cameras when he's had both back to back. both pics with over 400 hrs of burn in:

here it is with the phoenix

here it is with the radiums

still dont know how accurate that is as camera settings play a huge role. for example another pic of same tank with phoenix. same bulb but much uglier here:

sahin · 11/12/2009, 01:33 PM

Well thanks guys. I totally understand what you mean about camera settings and white balance. I wasnt after photos for that reason, but, rather asked for peoples opinion as to which bulb burns bluer.

Jared J · 11/12/2009, 01:49 PM

I just found the pictures to show how much bluer a Radium is. Actually, if you want a really blue bulb get a 20K XM. Corals will pop.

adunne · 11/12/2009, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sahin

Adunne: Are you running them on mag or electronic ballasts?

Onereef: The Radium puts out more PAR as far as I know.

Both are on electronic ballasts

BeanAnimal · 11/12/2009, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sahin

PS, is the Radium as blue as it appears on the photo? If it is, that would be great as I love the colour!

Photos are 100% useless for trying to determine bulb color. There are just too many variables that affect what you see.

BeanAnimal · 11/12/2009, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jared J

I just found the pictures to show how much bluer a Radium is. Actually, if you want a really blue bulb get a 20K XM. Corals will pop.

As I pointed out above, photos are useless for trying to discern color and/or compare color. There are dozens of variables that affect what we see when we look at photos. To name only a few:

The camera settings (white balance, exposure, etc)
Software settings (compression, color curves, etc)
The monitor settings (color temperature, phosphor type, etc)
The ambient room light
type of camera
etc.

The best (only) way to compare colors is to look at them in person.

As far as the XM20K 150DE bulbs go.. steer clear. Yes, they are very (smurf) blue, but they have the worst PAR of any bulb sold. They could double as moonlights

myzislow · 11/12/2009, 02:31 PM

Actually, IME the radium is whiter than the phoenix 14k in the 150 DE version. I have had 3 different radium 20k and 3 different phoenix 14k's over the years, all in my sunpod, and the radium is defnitely whiter, and brighter than the phoenix. The phoenix has a toliet bowl blue look to it that isn't very appealing to the eyes that's for sure. It also craps out very fast, looks nice at first but then when it shifts it becomes very dull.

Like what's been said above, referencing two different tanks with 2 totally different cameras and settings is in no way a fair comparison of the two.

Jared J · 11/12/2009, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeanAnimal

As far as the XM20K 150DE bulbs go.. steer clear. Yes, they are very (smurf) blue, but they have the worst PAR of any bulb sold. They could double as moonlights

I guess the 400w XM's are different, or at least compared to a 150w anyway. We have a LFS that has a 280g as you walk in the store and uses only 3 400w 20k XM bulbs and the corals grow like crazy and look incredible and everything is neon. I think it looks great.

BeanAnimal · 11/12/2009, 10:14 PM

Yes there is a huge difference in the 250SE and the 150DE... not AT ALL the same bulb.

LouPhoenix · 11/12/2009, 10:38 PM

I've got the Radium 150 DE and it is definitely very bright, with a nice tint of blue... colors pop without the Windex look.

Remicade · 11/12/2009, 10:58 PM

i got a 150mh ushio 20k in my nano and in my frag tank i got 2 x 150mh radium blue and for me, my ushio is more blue than the radiums. like Lou said, i get that blue windex look to my ushio in my nano. but i was going for more blue cause the 14k 150mh i had in the nano was not blue enough for me.

my $0.02

Jared J · 11/13/2009, 08:21 AM

This is of topic a bit but whats with the thumb thing on my earlier post? I don't believe I put that there. Did I miss something?

BeanAnimal · 11/13/2009, 08:26 AM

You must have accidentally clicked when you went to click the submit button... It is right above it in the "post reply" screen.

Paulairduck · 11/13/2009, 12:34 PM

I personally like the color I get from the radium 20K 150 DE

I have tried the aquamaxx, phoenix and the radium has the nicest colors

sahin · 11/13/2009, 02:10 PM

Many thanks to everyone. I think I will try the Radium next time. If I dont like it as much as the Phoenix 14K then I'll just stick with Phenonix's in the future.

ckranz · 01/25/2010, 12:29 PM

I'm running the stock JBJ ballast trying to decide between Pheonix 14K Ushio 20K Radium 20K. I have the atinics upgrade trying to get the best all around have a mostly SPS system want to get good colors and growth. I know there is lots of preference involved but what are your guy thoughts? Thanks

Guygettnby · 01/25/2010, 01:34 PM

the radium bulb is defilently more blue to my eyes. i have run both and too be honest i like the 14k pheonix abit better then the radium. but this is only on the 150w DE version. the pheonix after a year still looks very decent to me and is a great bulb. but everybody is going to think differently and like different things. they are both great bulbs and i will continue too use both of these bulbs in the future.

11/10/2009, 04:36 AM	#1
sahin Ultimate Reefer Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: London, UK Posts: 8,540	Which 150w halide is more blue? Radium 20K or Phoenix 14K? I know on different ballasts they will appear different. But for those who have used BOTH, can you tell me which appears more blue? I have a Phoenix 14K running on an electronic ballast (I modded the JBJ lighting Magnetic Ballast). I am happy with the colour, but would prefer bluer. So if I buy the Radium next, will it burn bluer than the Phoenix?

11/12/2009, 10:38 PM	#18
LouPhoenix Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Kendall Posts: 870	I've got the Radium 150 DE and it is definitely very bright, with a nice tint of blue... colors pop without the Windex look. __________________ SELECT * FROM users WHERE clue > 0 0 rows returned Current Tank Info: 65 Gallon hexagon tank. 2 Korali55 gal fw planted acidic amazon biotype.

11/12/2009, 05:32 AM	#2
sahin Ultimate Reefer Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: London, UK Posts: 8,540	Any ideas? Someone must have had tried both these bulbs?

11/12/2009, 07:17 AM	#3
adunne Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: enfield ct Posts: 498	I have 2 x 150 MH's running on my tank. 1 is a phoenix and the other is a radium. I would have to say that they are pretty darn close in color. So much so that if i didnt know which bulb was where i couldnt pick out the radium.

11/12/2009, 08:51 AM	#4
OneReef Reef Guru Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: the great South Posts: 3,218	Does the 150w phoenix or the 150w radium put out more par?

11/12/2009, 10:35 AM	#5
sahin Ultimate Reefer Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: London, UK Posts: 8,540	Adunne: Are you running them on mag or electronic ballasts? Onereef: The Radium puts out more PAR as far as I know.

11/12/2009, 12:00 PM	#6
Jared J Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 431	The 20k Raduim would be bluer. These are both 150w bulbs. Heres a 14K Phoenix and a 20k Radium

11/12/2009, 12:11 PM	#7
sahin Ultimate Reefer Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: London, UK Posts: 8,540	Jared, many thanks for the pics. What ballasts (mag or electronic) are you running the bulbs on?

11/12/2009, 12:12 PM	#8
sahin Ultimate Reefer Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: London, UK Posts: 8,540	PS, is the Radium as blue as it appears on the photo? If it is, that would be great as I love the colour!

11/12/2009, 01:33 PM	#10
sahin Ultimate Reefer Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: London, UK Posts: 8,540	Well thanks guys. I totally understand what you mean about camera settings and white balance. I wasnt after photos for that reason, but, rather asked for peoples opinion as to which bulb burns bluer.

11/12/2009, 01:49 PM	#11
Jared J Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 431	I just found the pictures to show how much bluer a Radium is. Actually, if you want a really blue bulb get a 20K XM. Corals will pop.

11/12/2009, 02:31 PM	#15
myzislow Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 1,275	Actually, IME the radium is whiter than the phoenix 14k in the 150 DE version. I have had 3 different radium 20k and 3 different phoenix 14k's over the years, all in my sunpod, and the radium is defnitely whiter, and brighter than the phoenix. The phoenix has a toliet bowl blue look to it that isn't very appealing to the eyes that's for sure. It also craps out very fast, looks nice at first but then when it shifts it becomes very dull. Like what's been said above, referencing two different tanks with 2 totally different cameras and settings is in no way a fair comparison of the two.

11/12/2009, 10:14 PM	#17
BeanAnimal Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 20,772	Yes there is a huge difference in the 250SE and the 150DE... not AT ALL the same bulb.

11/12/2009, 10:58 PM	#19
Remicade Moved On Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Downingtown/Eagle, Pa Posts: 145	i got a 150mh ushio 20k in my nano and in my frag tank i got 2 x 150mh radium blue and for me, my ushio is more blue than the radiums. like Lou said, i get that blue windex look to my ushio in my nano. but i was going for more blue cause the 14k 150mh i had in the nano was not blue enough for me. my $0.02

11/13/2009, 08:21 AM	#20
Jared J Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 431	This is of topic a bit but whats with the thumb thing on my earlier post? I don't believe I put that there. Did I miss something?

11/13/2009, 08:26 AM	#21
BeanAnimal Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 20,772	You must have accidentally clicked when you went to click the submit button... It is right above it in the "post reply" screen.

11/13/2009, 12:34 PM	#22
Paulairduck I LOVE FREE FRAGS!!! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Chino Hills Posts: 2,909	I personally like the color I get from the radium 20K 150 DE I have tried the aquamaxx, phoenix and the radium has the nicest colors

11/13/2009, 02:10 PM	#23
sahin Ultimate Reefer Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: London, UK Posts: 8,540	Many thanks to everyone. I think I will try the Radium next time. If I dont like it as much as the Phoenix 14K then I'll just stick with Phenonix's in the future.

01/25/2010, 12:29 PM	#24
ckranz Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: San Antonio TX Posts: 77	I'm running the stock JBJ ballast trying to decide between Pheonix 14K Ushio 20K Radium 20K. I have the atinics upgrade trying to get the best all around have a mostly SPS system want to get good colors and growth. I know there is lots of preference involved but what are your guy thoughts? Thanks

01/25/2010, 01:34 PM	#25
Guygettnby Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: FL Posts: 3,050	the radium bulb is defilently more blue to my eyes. i have run both and too be honest i like the 14k pheonix abit better then the radium. but this is only on the 150w DE version. the pheonix after a year still looks very decent to me and is a great bulb. but everybody is going to think differently and like different things. they are both great bulbs and i will continue too use both of these bulbs in the future.