puntific Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 I'm running a 100 gal tank that's 20 inches from water level to sand bed. The lights are 9 inches from the water. I've got a mixture of SPS, LPS, Zoas and Rics, as well as a RBTA and some other softies... I currently run 400 wt Hamiltons at 20k temp. They're kinda inexpensive bulbs. The question is: would running different bulbs be better for me? Could I switch bulbs without switching my ballast? Also, how do you know if your ballast is still good? Thanks, puntific Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael7979 Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 You can switch bulbs to a different K value as long as you stay with 400watters and you don't need to switch ballasts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puntific Posted January 13, 2010 Author Share Posted January 13, 2010 I guess I was wondering if I got anything by switching from Hamilton 20k 400s to Radium 20k 400s. I have PFO ballasts but I don't know if they are HQI or not. I got them from Upscales 8 years ago. puntific Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael7979 Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 If they are HQI they will make the Radiums 'more white', that is what I run. If not the Radiums will run 'more blue'. I have never seen a 20K Hammy so I can't tell you how they would compare to Radiums. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puntific Posted January 14, 2010 Author Share Posted January 14, 2010 One thing I notice is that the challice that Frank is selling, the red with yellow eyes, looks purple with only slightly pale yellow eyes. It makes me think I need to improve my lights! puntific Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkBirkett Posted January 14, 2010 Share Posted January 14, 2010 PFO ballast Your PFO ballast should have a sticker with a checked box that will tell you which 400 watt ballast you have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CCR Posted January 14, 2010 Share Posted January 14, 2010 400wt HQI PFO way a ton. if not hqu, don't run radium's I'm running radium's(20k) on electronic 400wt sunlight supply ballasts. I'm probably going back to 15K XM bulbs. I really like them from several i've used. Just don't buy cheep bulbs. Remember, light IS food. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puntific Posted January 14, 2010 Author Share Posted January 14, 2010 Your PFO ballast should have a sticker with a checked box that will tell you which 400 watt ballast you have. And if my ballasts are so old that they don't have a sticker? I got them in about 2002. puntific Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chewie Posted January 14, 2010 Share Posted January 14, 2010 Most likely they're M59's Just the regular old 400w cap and coil ballast. If they still light the bulbs and keep them fired the I see no need to replace them. Give the radiums a try. I think you'll like em. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puntific Posted January 17, 2010 Author Share Posted January 17, 2010 Anyone with a pair of radiums or XM 400 wt 20k or 14k want to come over for a couple of beers and a lighting comparision? Or do you think a LFS would sell/take back bulbs if they don't work or I don't like them? puntific Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kshack Posted January 17, 2010 Share Posted January 17, 2010 If you want to run Radium 400W, you will need either a electronic, HQI, or a pulse-start cap and coil. The 400W Radium is not designed for a HQI, where the 250 is. Some like to run 400 HQI and get a crisp white light, but the life of the bulb goes down by almost 50%. You can open up the ballast and look at the parts inside. That will give you the answer as to what you have. Probe-start ballast will not fire the Radium. Another possibility would be to get your hands on a old bulb that someone took out and see if your ballast fires the bulb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael7979 Posted January 17, 2010 Share Posted January 17, 2010 Travis sells used Radiums at Upscales. Might be worth seeing if he has any at this time.......$20 if I remember. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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