Time for new bulbs....please help

[TonyB]

Ok so it's time for new bulbs. I'm running 250w SE's in Lumenarc minis on Coralvue ballasts. I've been running the Reeflux 12k's and while the colors are ok, I haven't gotten as much growth as I would like.

So the question I pose is what bulb has a similar color temp but will result in better growth?

 

[TonyB]

Bump.

 

[EliteReefs]

Radiums are the only way to go IMO. great color great growth and numbers. BUT it depends on what type of ballast you have. You need a magnetic PULSE start ballast or a quality electronic. The magnetic is what they are made to run on however they will fire on electronic with slightly different color, numbers and life. If you do a search on the various forums and this one your will find most of the major known reefs in the hobby use radium bulbs. not all of course but alot. it is a very high quality bulb.


PS: my opinion is based on the 400 watt and 250 watt SE bulbs and the 150 DE bulbs.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

+1 On the Radiums!

 

[I-K@ndY]

14k Phoenix is good for colors and growth .. I am running those on my 180g and on my 90g Cube I am running 20k Radiums which is not bad on the growth side...

 

[clownnut]

ushio 10 or 14K, i have good luck with both.
xm 10 also very good for growth, but kinda yellow.

 

[Viva'sReef]

Does Radium make a 250W DE bulb? I'm also looking to replace my 14 month old 14k Hamiltons with something more Blue!! Maybe XM 20k? I run a Current Outer Orbit fixture. I'm positive that the Ballasts are Magnetic but not sure if they are pulse start or not.

Sorry not trying to hijack

 

[BigBoy69]

Phoenix 14K or Ushio 20K. You'll be amazed

 

[AZDesertRat]

Can you get Phoenix in SE bulbs? I too am using Reeflux 12k SE 250w bulbs and the growth is dismal. My previous bulbs were Ushio then XM 10k, both with 2x140w Super Actinic supplementation so growth was amazing but I wanted to cut back on the power consumption by killing the VHO supplements.
I'd like to find something in a SE bulb with good color and growth too.

 

[EliteReefs]

Does Radium make a 250W DE bulb? I'm also looking to replace my 14 month old 14k Hamiltons with something more Blue!! Maybe XM 20k? I run a Current Outer Orbit fixture. I'm positive that the Ballasts are Magnetic but not sure if they are pulse start or not.

Sorry not trying to hijack

not that i have seen but could be wrong. just a 150 De from what i know

 

[TonyB]

14k Phoenix is good for colors and growth .. I am running those on my 180g and on my 90g Cube I am running 20k Radiums which is not bad on the growth side...

Which of the two is better in terms of growth? You system is a testament to the colors they can support so I'm sold on that aspect.

 

[TonyB]

Radiums are the only way to go IMO. great color great growth and numbers. BUT it depends on what type of ballast you have. You need a magnetic PULSE start ballast or a quality electronic. The magnetic is what they are made to run on however they will fire on electronic with slightly different color, numbers and life. If you do a search on the various forums and this one your will find most of the major known reefs in the hobby use radium bulbs. not all of course but alot. it is a very high quality bulb.


PS: my opinion is based on the 400 watt and 250 watt SE bulbs and the 150 DE bulbs.

The radiums are on my radar but from what I've seen and what you've just told me I will need to also change my ballasts since I've currently got coralvue electronics.

 

[TonyB]

ushio 10 or 14K, i have good luck with both.
xm 10 also very good for growth, but kinda yellow.

My first bulbs ever were XM 10k's and growth was great but the colors were awful.

 

[macawmagic]

if it were me...single ended of course radiums. de I would choose 20k helio's (i have these on my tank and the only thing i'll trade them for will be radiums. AMAZING!)

 

[TonyB]

Based on colors? Growth? What types of corals are you keeping in your system?

 

[flricordia]

My Purple Hornets have really taken off under Hamilton 10K. Running on Icecap.

 

[BigBoy69]

Im sorry, I had a brain fart. I know see that you said SE. I would go with the Iwasaki 15K. Probably, to me are the nicest colored bulbs around.

 

[xrayrider]

"The radiums are on my radar but from what I've seen and what you've just told me I will need to also change my ballasts since I've currently got coralvue electronics".


I have one 400 watt and two 250 watt Radiums over a 125 with 3 VHO (2 x 6 foot, 1 x 4 foot) on an Icecap 660. All the Radiums are on Coralvue electronic ballasts. It works great. The Radiums were designed to be overdriven by magnetic PFO pulse start ballasts, but you don't have to run them that way. They are less blue that way, and more blue if ran off of an electronic ballast at standard voltage. The bulbs look better in my oponion on electronic ballasts, and will last much longer as well. The Magnetic ballasts also use more electricity, and produce a lot more heat. What you can't do is run Radiums on a magnetic probe start ballast. They probably won't fire. I get incredible color, and average growth.

 

[EliteReefs]

"The radiums are on my radar but from what I've seen and what you've just told me I will need to also change my ballasts since I've currently got coralvue electronics".


I have one 400 watt and two 250 watt Radiums over a 125 with 3 VHO (2 x 6 foot, 1 x 4 foot) on an Icecap 660. All the Radiums are on Coralvue electronic ballasts. It works great. The Radiums were designed to be overdriven by magnetic PFO pulse start ballasts, but you don't have to run them that way. They are less blue that way, and more blue if ran off of an electronic ballast at standard voltage. The bulbs look better in my oponion on electronic ballasts, and will last much longer as well. The Magnetic ballasts also use more electricity, and produce a lot more heat. What you can't do is run Radiums on a magnetic probe start ballast. They probably won't fire. I get incredible color, and average growth.

the above is all true. BUT just remember that the numbers from the bulb will not be a same as if run as intended good yes but not the best they can be. if you REALLY want to see this bulb "shine". (pun intended) run it on 220