lighting question

[rng_pw]

Ok I have been running 3-400 watt 12k reeflux for about a year now. I have been getting decent growth but I think that my color is lacking. I have a few friends that run radiums 20k, and I think I want to join the club. What are your opinions and how will the change affect my corals? Thanks for your advice.

 

[guppychao]

first, i think its about time to change the bulbs. mind you radiums, for me, only last 6-8 months. many online vendors use radiums

 

[rng_pw]

first, i think its about time to change the bulbs. mind you radiums, for me, only last 6-8 months. many online vendors use radiums

yeah I agree, I am getting new bulbs this week. I have heard that radiums only last about 6-8 months but I like the look of them.

 

[litenyaup]

i have fallen in love with the xm 15k bulbs!!! i have had them now for about 4 months and the color is perfect!!!!!!

 

[rng_pw]

yeah I have used them before also. Actually come to think of it I am using one right now. I forgot that one of my bulbs broke and all the lfs had was an xm 15k. Whether I go with the radiums or the xm's how would the change in light affect my coral?

 

[Reef Empire]

Ballasts make a huge difference in the output of any bulb. Radiums will perform very different when connected to ballasts made by different manufacturers. IME they tend to be much bluer on magnetic vs. electronic ballasts.

 

[rng_pw]

thanks for the info. I never thought about that. I am using vertex electronic ballast. What bulbs would your recomend?

Ballasts make a huge difference in the output of any bulb. Radiums will perform very different when connected to ballasts made by different manufacturers. IME they tend to be much bluer on magnetic vs. electronic ballasts.

 

[Hahnmeister]

I would suggest going with Giesemann 14,500K's, Ushio 14,000K, or BLV 14,000K (all same bulb), and adding rows of blue+ T5 bulbs for blue supplimentation.

 

[rng_pw]

I would suggest going with Giesemann 14,500K's, Ushio 14,000K, or BLV 14,000K (all same bulb), and adding rows of blue+ T5 bulbs for blue supplimentation.

Yeah I have heard some good things about the ushio's. I'll have to do my research I guess. As far as actinics I have 8-4ft t-5's that are all actinic bulbs. Thanks for the recomendation. When you say that they are all the same bulbs what do you mean? Also will these bulbs last longer than radiums and are they comparible in price to the radiums?

 

[LILBUDDHA]

Ballasts make a huge difference in the output of any bulb. Radiums will perform very different when connected to ballasts made by different manufacturers. IME they tend to be much bluer on magnetic vs. electronic ballasts.

U got that right . Radiums o cannot be run on magnetic ballast unless they are the pulse start's . All electronic ballasts should be good to go .

 

[rng_pw]

thanks guys, I decided to just stick with the reeflux 12k's (when in doubt stick to what works)

 

[bige11]

For what it's worth, I like the Hamilton 14K. Just enough blue (but not too much) and still really good growth.

E