Michael7979 Posted April 22, 2007 Share Posted April 22, 2007 I will never have a different Mh bulb ever again!! Just took out my old 20k Helios bulbs, (7-8 months), and replaced them with 20k Radiums, (that's what I had before the Helios). I WILL NEVER USE ANYTHING BUT RADIUMS AGAIN!!! If someone wants an opinion on bulbs and ballast combonation all I will ever say is that you should go with 20k Radiums and run them on a PFO HQI ballast. Tried the Helios, (after seeing the tanks at Upscales), and hoping to be ble to get the extra month or so out of them compared to the Radiums. But the color of the Radiums is so much better then the Helios bulbs I had. That it is a no brainer as to what I'll buy again and again, forget the price. Great color and as we all know if you aren't happy with what you got you will change until you find what you love!! Well I have found it!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
illcssd Posted April 22, 2007 Share Posted April 22, 2007 Thats what i have been telling people all along! Welcome to the radium cult lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H20cooled Posted April 22, 2007 Share Posted April 22, 2007 yep I've got the same combo now and i love the colors and growth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reefhut Posted April 22, 2007 Share Posted April 22, 2007 Raium's I'll third that opion....I alway's ran Radium's and switched to Helios bulbs(cussing) . Three weeks later I found myself buying the Radiums again... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael7979 Posted April 22, 2007 Author Share Posted April 22, 2007 I'll third that opion....I alway's ran Radium's and switched to Helios bulbs(cussing) . Three weeks later I found myself buying the Radiums again... Wish I could have done that. But I'm a poor slob that had to save my pennies! lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drock59 Posted April 22, 2007 Share Posted April 22, 2007 20k Radiums and run them on a PFO HQI ballast. Michael we are talking single ended correct? I have always loved the color of the Radiums and I am thinking of switching back to single ended. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael7979 Posted April 22, 2007 Author Share Posted April 22, 2007 Yep SE bulbs!! I would switch back if you are really thinking about it! Just do it, man!! (rock2) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAVES Posted April 22, 2007 Share Posted April 22, 2007 bout time you started listening Radiums over both show tanks, frag tanks, home tank.... Ya uhhh Radiums are where it is at. Oh and on an HQI ballast WOWSERS! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael7979 Posted April 22, 2007 Author Share Posted April 22, 2007 bout time you started listening Radiums over both show tanks, frag tanks, home tank.... Ya uhhh Radiums are where it is at. Oh and on an HQI ballast WOWSERS! Well hey no one ever said I was the "sharpest tool in the shed", just have to give us old guys some time to get things figured out!! DOH! (laugh) (whistle) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Posted April 22, 2007 Share Posted April 22, 2007 How are they on a regular 400watt PFO ballast. I was thinking that I do not like my XM 20K's. Jay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael7979 Posted April 22, 2007 Author Share Posted April 22, 2007 I have heard they will be 'more blue' with a non-HQI ballast. With the HQI you'll get a 'whiter' light. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lowman Posted April 22, 2007 Share Posted April 22, 2007 The hqi ballast overdrives the bulbs and makes them burn whiter than a non hqi ballast. Radiums look awesome on a pulse start ballast too, just a bit bluer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
illcssd Posted April 22, 2007 Share Posted April 22, 2007 Like joel, our show tank, frag tank, my home tank, and my 240 cube are all lit w/these bulbs. They rock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Posted April 22, 2007 Share Posted April 22, 2007 I have heard they will be 'more blue' with a non-HQI ballast. With the HQI you'll get a 'whiter' light. Dang, I was hoping for a little less blue. DOH! Jay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drock59 Posted April 22, 2007 Share Posted April 22, 2007 Whats the lifespan? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lowman Posted April 22, 2007 Share Posted April 22, 2007 about 8 months depending on how long your lighting cycle is. I would start thinking about replacing them every 6 months if you burn them longer than 8 hours. Just my opinion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael7979 Posted April 22, 2007 Author Share Posted April 22, 2007 Dan I shoot for 7 months in lifespan and I only run my MHs for 6-7 hrs per day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drock59 Posted April 23, 2007 Share Posted April 23, 2007 wow that is pretty darn short no? That means we are looking at 320 bucks a year on bulbs? They better look good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Popeil Posted April 23, 2007 Share Posted April 23, 2007 im enjoying my 20k XMs at the moment. i always used radiums, and enjoyed them, but the price was ridiculous and after a year the bulbs start to rapidly kill all the corals in my tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R2R2 Posted April 23, 2007 Share Posted April 23, 2007 I tested the old VS new 400w Radiums with my new quantum meter, with the probe just under the surface of the water. The 8 month old bulb was between 300 and 320, new bulb was around 600! A little bit of difference. Ryan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael7979 Posted April 23, 2007 Author Share Posted April 23, 2007 I tested the old VS new 400w Radiums with my new quantum meter' date=' with the probe just under the surface of the water. The 8 month old bulb was between 300 and 320, new bulb was around 600! A little bit of difference. Ryan[/quote'] RIGHT ON!!!! (yahoo) (yahoo) (dancing) (party) (cheer) (party) (rock2) (rock2) (cheer) (party) (highfive) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
180Brandy Posted April 23, 2007 Share Posted April 23, 2007 Does radiums put out more heat? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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