250 SE Bulb choice.

icedgxe · Mar 12, 2012

So it's time to buy new bulbs and I can't decide what I want to do. I am running Galaxy ballasts on the HQI setting with radiums right now but keep reading the on these ballats the usuable life of the bulb is in the range of 6 months. I never noticed a huge change except maybe a bit more algae. Should I stick to the radiums? If not, what is the best bulb to run on the galaxy? Phoenix 14k? Ushio 14k/20k? HQI or 250w setting? I love the look of the radium just want to make sure I check my options before buying new bulbs. Thanks for any help.

Btw, I am using lumenmax elite reflectors.

mcarroll · Mar 12, 2012

If usable hours are your main concern, I wouldn't expect vastly different results between the bulb manufacturers. Six months is about it. You might get a bit longer usage times from bulbs with spectrum closer to daylight, but unless you're farming coral I can't recommend other than 20K.

Radiums are the premium choice IMO and IME - especially if you're running them on HQI ballasts due the additional wattage - so I can't recommend a "better" bulb, but there are many cheaper that are also pretty good.

If you're not unhappy with the color or power usage (and heat), or Mercury content then I would recommend NO CHANGE.

(After deliberating over the same choice for years now and recycling many a halide bulb, I've concluded that the only reasonable alternative to Radium+HQI is LED. Not for color though.)

-Matt

Raina · Mar 12, 2012

May Led light be a good choice. LEDs are the most cost effective way to light your aquarium.LEDs use about 1/2 to 1/3 the electricity of standard aquarium lights. They our Cree XR-E Cool White LEDs are rated for 50,000 hours. After that they will produce 75% of their original light. Normally we drive the Cree XR-E between 650-900mA which means the Cree XR-E lifespan can be much longer. 50,000 hours is 11.41years at 12 hours a day at full power after that who knows how much longer they will last. Our 60 LED fixture has the same PAR as a 400 watt MH Radium and less than 200 watts.

icedgxe · Mar 13, 2012

I already use leds for dusk/dawn but don't want to go that route for main lighting right now. If I decided to go with the Ushio 14k should they be run on the 250w setting or the HQI setting?