Halide 150w or 250w

kagt · Aug 25, 2020

Hey gurus, I am planing on a 24x24x19" cube. I have a 150w Bimini with M81 ballast planing on runing Phoenix 14k but I am unsure if it's enough for sps dominated tank. Would maybe like to keep a Corea clam at the sand bed. So my question is should I stay with the 150w or go with a 250w instead

Chibils · Aug 25, 2020

You already have the rig to run a 150w lamp, might as well stick with it imo. You could add 24" Reef Brite 50/50 XHO on the ends if it proves to be lacking.

I'd probably recommend 250 if you didn't already have a decent pendant and ballast, but they're expensive to buy and expensive to ship, and I don't think Hamilton makes the Bimini Sun any more. You could add two Lumi Lite Pro 18" strips for $230 or two 24" XHO strips for $320. Not a bad deal imo, plus it gives you a little more control over your light.

kagt · Aug 25, 2020

Yeah they are expensive to ship especially since im in Canada and our Canadian pesos conversion rate. Also I've thought about sup lighting but don't really want to deal with extra cords and plugs if I can help it.

Finally if I do go 250w though then would you recommend Radium or Phoenix 14k?
Thanks

rc1626 · Aug 25, 2020

kagt said:
Yeah they are expensive to ship especially since im in Canada and our Canadian pesos conversion rate. Also I've thought about sup lighting but don't really want to deal with extra cords and plugs if I can help it.

Finally if I do go 250w though then would you recommend Radium or Phoenix 14k?
Thanks

I've never run a Phoenix but love my Radiums. They both have a very good track record for growth and color. I've read that they are very similar but gotta say it would come down to personal preference if you were able to view both.

kagt · Aug 25, 2020

Yeah still debating but I am leaning towards de because the pendant that are available are square which matches my tank.

Also anyone have experiences with this reflector ?

Chibils · Aug 25, 2020

The LumenMax 3 is a great reflector. Haven't heard of JL Aquatics before. If that's a known supplier over in Canada then by all means.

I've never run Radiums, but the appearance they're famous for comes from the coloration on an M58/M80 magnetic ballast. Supposedly they run very blue and somewhat dim on e-ballasts. IMO the most beautiful 250w bulb out there is the AB 13k/Ushio 14k/Giesemann 14.5k (supposedly all the same bulb, relabeled). Bright, clean, crisp, but everyone's got their own take.