Any Hamilton 20k users?

[silvernblackr35]

I was wondering if anyone has experienced how the look of the hamilton 20k 250watt compares to the radium 250w in terms of color and brightness in person? I'm using the hamilton 14k and although it's a crisp bright white it's a bit too white for my taste, and I would prefer something a little bluer.

Thanks in advance

 

[mcarroll]

I used the 150w as a sub for my Radiums once or twice and I didn't hate them at all. For the price I really liked them, in fact. For what it's worth.

 

[Ike]

I wouldn't even consider it, the par is down and they don't look nearly as nice or make corals pop nearly as well as a radium on a good electronic or M80 ballast. I wouldn't use any other bulb on the market other than the radium even if they were free, that's how superior I feel the radiums are. If they're not blue enough for you then you should seriously consider a switch to LED's or T5's.

 

[silvernblackr35]

I wouldn't even consider it, the par is down and they don't look nearly as nice or make corals pop nearly as well as a radium on a good electronic or M80 ballast. I wouldn't use any other bulb on the market other than the radium even if they were free, that's how superior I feel the radiums are. If they're not blue enough for you then you should seriously consider a switch to LED's or T5's.

It was my understanding that Hamilton re-tweaked their bulb lineup in the past year or so and that's why I was curious. Are you running 250w radiums or 400w?

 

[Ike]

It was my understanding that Hamilton re-tweaked their bulb lineup in the past year or so and that's why I was curious. Are you running 250w radiums or 400w?

250w, better bulb life and not much less par. At the moment I'm running T5's since the room my tank is in since I've moved isn't ventilated as well as the rest of the house and was making the room a little too warm on certain days. I miss the Radiums, but the T5's are nice as well. The setup I used to grow out my last might be available if you like the combo I suggested, I haven't put it up for sale officially because I like it too much, but it's probably time to let it go before I do something stupid like spend thousands to cool this room better just to run them...

 

[silvernblackr35]

I came from 60" t5s and diy leds and still trying to find close to the color that I liked with that combo.

 

[Ike]

I came from 60" t5s and diy leds and still trying to find close to the color that I liked with that combo.

What combo were you using?

 

[silvernblackr35]

What combo were you using?

4 b+, 1c+ and 1abs with 3w cree rb and blue for supplement.

 

[Ike]

4 b+, 1c+ and 1abs with 3w cree rb and blue for supplement.

That's a pretty blue combo, you're probably not going to find a MH bulb with even decent par that matches that color.

 

[BoneXriffic]

I would stick with the 14k imo and add a t5 retro to supplement rather than waste the system. The 14k will give better growth and the retro can add blue. And i would yake a 14k hamilton over a 20k radium anyday....but thats because im not a fan of 20k.... the radium is better but the 20k hamilton will do just fine