Kris Posted January 1, 2011 Share Posted January 1, 2011 Thinking of switching bulbs. What bulbs does everyone use? Which ones are your favorites? How much do you pay? I have used-- Helios 250W 20,000 K Mogul Base Mh Bulb 55.00ea I actually like these more than XM bulbs which I am using right now. Running-- XM 250 Watt 20,000K Mogul Base MH Bulb. 70.00ea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgf86123 Posted January 1, 2011 Share Posted January 1, 2011 I really really liked the SPS 20k I had over our tank before we switched to T5's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dee77 Posted January 1, 2011 Share Posted January 1, 2011 2 xm 20k 400 watt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dee77 Posted January 1, 2011 Share Posted January 1, 2011 has anyone tried the german 22k bulbs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harold B Posted January 1, 2011 Share Posted January 1, 2011 4 XM 400w..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markdadof2 Posted January 1, 2011 Share Posted January 1, 2011 I run the Phoenix 14k over my tank, but I THINK they only make the 14k in double end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kris Posted January 1, 2011 Author Share Posted January 1, 2011 How much $ do they run you? Do you buy them locally? Where? Usually for bulbs I get them from Custom Aquatic. Do you know of a LFS that has good deals on bulbs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dee77 Posted January 1, 2011 Share Posted January 1, 2011 How much $ do they run you? Do you buy them locally? Where? Usually for bulbs I get them from Custom Aquatic. Do you know of a LFS that has good deals on bulbs? http://www.marinedepot.com/400_Watt_22000K_Metal_Halide_Bulb_Megachrome_Blue_Mogul_Base_400_Watt_Single_Ended_Metal_Halide_Light_Bulbs-Giesemann_Aquarium_Lighting_Systems-MB6914-FILTBUMHSEFW-MB8914-vi.html $129 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wegotjs Posted January 1, 2011 Share Posted January 1, 2011 They do make a single ended Phoenix 250. Never tried it but loved the DE bulb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mytshall Posted January 1, 2011 Share Posted January 1, 2011 I really really liked the SPS 20k I had over our tank before we switched to T5's I had the same bulbs. They have the best blue color but growth on SPS wasn't amazing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finch6013 Posted January 1, 2011 Share Posted January 1, 2011 A pricy bulb, but brighter than anything on the market is the elos 20k abyss. Patrick at saltwater fantasea sells them for a very reasonable price compared to online. Last I knew he ran them on his cube tank. I have one of the 400w bulbs and its bright at full power. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mandinga Posted January 2, 2011 Share Posted January 2, 2011 Radium, duh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubberduck9 Posted January 2, 2011 Share Posted January 2, 2011 20K Radiums 365 days a year my friend!!! If you like you some deep blues and purples youd love these lights!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael7979 Posted January 2, 2011 Share Posted January 2, 2011 I run 4-400w Radiums right now. Tried the Helios and got different shades out the bulbs, switched back to Radiums. Have thought about trying the BlueLife SPS bulbs and maybe an XM bulb. But I always seem to go back to Radiums....... maybe someday I'll switch. And if you ask any of the LFS they can tell you if they can special order you some bulbs. Almost all have access to most anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kris Posted January 3, 2011 Author Share Posted January 3, 2011 From what I have herd in the past which I don't know if it's right is that the radiums are good but only have like a 6 month life span is this true? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael7979 Posted January 3, 2011 Share Posted January 3, 2011 Usually, if run on HQI. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
epicenter Posted January 3, 2011 Share Posted January 3, 2011 I use 3- Phoenix 14k 250w $47.00 @ SOS lights or $70.00 @ LFS I wish there was a Raduim 250 HQI I could try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted January 3, 2011 Share Posted January 3, 2011 I use a radium 20k 250w over my QT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kshack Posted January 3, 2011 Share Posted January 3, 2011 The Radium 250W IS a HQI bulb. It is designed to be driven by a HQI ballast. Just connect a mogul socket to the ballast and off you go. The 400W Radium is designed to be driven at 360W and is therefore NOT a HQI bulb. Some do overdrive it with a HQI ballast because they like the look. If you do this you will shorten the life to around 6mo instead of the usual 12 mo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
epicenter Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 The Radium 250W IS a HQI bulb. It is designed to be driven by a HQI ballast. Just connect a mogul socket to the ballast and off you go. The 400W Radium is designed to be driven at 360W and is therefore NOT a HQI bulb. Some do overdrive it with a HQI ballast because they like the look. If you do this you will shorten the life to around 6mo instead of the usual 12 mo. I am using one of those current outer orbit fixtures & dont see a possible retrofit, but thanks for the info on the radiums being a HQI bulb. I wonder why they dont make them in the double ended bulb? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stylaster Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 im a big fan of radiums Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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