WTB: 250w Radium 20k SE

TurboGuru · 03/23/2010, 01:39 PM

Hey all,

I'm looking for a 250w Radium 20K SE that is gently used (LOL) so that I can try it over my tank and see if I really like it. I don't want to spend the money on a new one just in case I don't like it. I have Icecap ballasts and I've heard they are not the best to use with the Radiums. If anyone has one let me know.

Joe

UnlcleLuke · 03/23/2010, 01:41 PM

Buy one, you won't regret it. FAOIS has them for 72$

freakonaleash · 03/23/2010, 01:43 PM

ditto on the above. you will love it. and johns has them cheaper then you will find anyplace. nothing gives a coral nicer color thena radium in my opinion.

PS: i say this assuming you know that you have the proper ballast to run it

mattliu · 03/23/2010, 03:30 PM

you're right tho about the ice cap thing. test one out, and still be forewarned if you get a used one. as you know the spectrum shifts towards the red end of the spectrum.

problem is those bulbs burn very blue when new on ice caps. which means slow growth and blue biased colors. most corals appreciate a full spectrum to some extent.

for the longest time great results were achieved by overdriving the 400 watt variety on ice caps, b/c the 400 radiums are actually rated at about 360 watts. or by burning any watt with a PFO HQI ballast.

Times have changed. gallaxy ballasts overdrive the 250 variety to a point where you get a blue-white color comparable to an aquaconnect and very good PAR values.

that's the trend for a reason.

somdinwong · 03/23/2010, 07:23 PM

when i placed my radiums on the tank it was like a growth explosion, went from phoenix to radiums and never missed a beat.

stpauli914 · 03/23/2010, 07:45 PM

Joe,

You can come check out how mine look if you want. I have 3 of them over my 180 on Galaxy electronic ballasts and I think they are plain SICK!!! Awesome color and I don't even have any supplement yet!

Oh, and you could bring that SCWD with ya

Aaron

TurboGuru · 03/24/2010, 01:13 AM

Thanks guys, But I wanted to try it over my tank so I can see it side by side with my SE 14k Aquaconnect. I get what you mean about spectrum shift at the end of bulb life, which is why I said "gently used." I just want to see it over my tank on the icecap before i decide to go with galaxy ballasts. I was told if you overdrive them you get only 6 months before spectrum shift. What everybody's opinion on this?

Joe

josephv · 03/24/2010, 03:54 AM

cheek out sanjay lighting guide. If you want to use one of my bulbs PM me .

cwegescheide · 03/24/2010, 03:30 PM

I switched from XM 20K's to 20K Radiums. Personally I prefer the XM 20K.. I was running the 400W with no supplementation at the time.

TurboGuru · 03/24/2010, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cwegescheide

I switched from XM 20K's to 20K Radiums. Personally I prefer the XM 20K.. I was running the 400W with no supplementation at the time.

I run 2x250w SE Aquaconnects and supplement with 2x110w VHO (one URI superactinic and 1 URI 454.) I have the ability to run two additional 110w VHOs on the same ballast (for a total of 4x110w) if I wanted. I have great growth IMO, but I would really like to get better color. I have seen some beautiful SPS tanks with amazing colors and many were running 2x250w Radium 20k with VHO actinic supplements, I think they were right where I want to be color/ growth wise. I really want to see how the Radiums look on my tank.

I got a PM from someone who has a Radium 20k SE with less than 300 hours on it for $40, I think I might jump on it just to see if I like it.

Joe

03/23/2010, 01:39 PM	#1
TurboGuru TBRC Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Tampa, FL. Posts: 991	WTB: 250w Radium 20k SE Hey all, I'm looking for a 250w Radium 20K SE that is gently used (LOL) so that I can try it over my tank and see if I really like it. I don't want to spend the money on a new one just in case I don't like it. I have Icecap ballasts and I've heard they are not the best to use with the Radiums. If anyone has one let me know. Joe __________________ Never do anything you don't want to have to explain to the Paramedics... Never drive faster than your guardian angel can fly.. "Panic will save your life, provided you are the first to panic and are headed in the right direction." Brannigan Click on my username and go to my homepage to see my build thread. Current Tank Info: Soon to Finish (yeah right!) my 90G SPS build.

03/23/2010, 03:30 PM	#4
mattliu Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: tampa Posts: 594	you're right tho about the ice cap thing. test one out, and still be forewarned if you get a used one. as you know the spectrum shifts towards the red end of the spectrum. problem is those bulbs burn very blue when new on ice caps. which means slow growth and blue biased colors. most corals appreciate a full spectrum to some extent. for the longest time great results were achieved by overdriving the 400 watt variety on ice caps, b/c the 400 radiums are actually rated at about 360 watts. or by burning any watt with a PFO HQI ballast. Times have changed. gallaxy ballasts overdrive the 250 variety to a point where you get a blue-white color comparable to an aquaconnect and very good PAR values. that's the trend for a reason. __________________ "The sea, the great unifier, is man's only hope. Now, as never before, the old phrase has a literal meaning: we are all in the same boat." -- Jacques-Yves Cousteau Current Tank Info: 75 in the works

03/23/2010, 07:45 PM	#6
stpauli914 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Clearwater/Dunedin Posts: 1,990	Joe, You can come check out how mine look if you want. I have 3 of them over my 180 on Galaxy electronic ballasts and I think they are plain SICK!!! Awesome color and I don't even have any supplement yet! Oh, and you could bring that SCWD with ya Aaron __________________ Thanks Reef Central!!! Current Tank Info: 240 Gallon Mixed Reef Miracles Custom 72x30x25 Starfire, COR20 RD3 80W, BK Alpha 200, MP40QD's, Radion G4 Pros * 80 Gallon Deep Blue Rimless SPS Dominant 48x24x16 Starfire, RD5 ECO, BK Mini 160, MP40QD's, Radion Gen4 Pros* Apex Controlled

03/24/2010, 01:13 AM	#7
TurboGuru TBRC Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Tampa, FL. Posts: 991	Thanks guys, But I wanted to try it over my tank so I can see it side by side with my SE 14k Aquaconnect. I get what you mean about spectrum shift at the end of bulb life, which is why I said "gently used." I just want to see it over my tank on the icecap before i decide to go with galaxy ballasts. I was told if you overdrive them you get only 6 months before spectrum shift. What everybody's opinion on this? Joe __________________ Never do anything you don't want to have to explain to the Paramedics... Never drive faster than your guardian angel can fly.. "Panic will save your life, provided you are the first to panic and are headed in the right direction." Brannigan Click on my username and go to my homepage to see my build thread. Current Tank Info: Soon to Finish (yeah right!) my 90G SPS build.

03/23/2010, 01:41 PM	#2
UnlcleLuke Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Clearwater, Florida Posts: 534	Buy one, you won't regret it. FAOIS has them for 72$

03/23/2010, 01:43 PM	#3
freakonaleash Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 223	ditto on the above. you will love it. and johns has them cheaper then you will find anyplace. nothing gives a coral nicer color thena radium in my opinion. PS: i say this assuming you know that you have the proper ballast to run it

03/23/2010, 07:23 PM	#5
somdinwong Moved On Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: venice Posts: 593	when i placed my radiums on the tank it was like a growth explosion, went from phoenix to radiums and never missed a beat.

03/24/2010, 03:54 AM	#8
josephv Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: wesley chapel fl Posts: 1,102	cheek out sanjay lighting guide. If you want to use one of my bulbs PM me .

03/24/2010, 03:30 PM	#9
cwegescheide YOU have been ignored! Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 5,231	I switched from XM 20K's to 20K Radiums. Personally I prefer the XM 20K.. I was running the 400W with no supplementation at the time.