Does anyone use DE Radiums?

[E.intheC]

I've used the SE bulbs with a magnetic ballast and love them but am starting a new tank with a different light setup (that's DE and electronic)..

How do the colors compare between the two?

Thanks!

 

[E.intheC]

..I actually don't know if Radiums make a DE version.

What is everyone using? I am considering the Elos 14,000K, Reeflux 12,000K, and the Phoenix 14,000K....

 

[prattreef]

There is a DE Radium, but I don't know anyone who uses them. I seem to remember hearing that they were quite a bit bluer than the SE lamps.

 

[zook]

I'm using a DE 150w 20k Radium in my Solana pendant over a custom shallow tank. The light is very bright and not at all blue especially compared to the Phoenix 14k. I'm happy with the overall appearance growth of my corals and I bought a few for backups.

 

[E.intheC]

zook, nice. What other bulbs have you used? (Also, I wonder how different the 150's are from the 250's)

Do you have any pictures?


...side note; I used to live in Latham, and then Guilderland for a bit. Saratoga Springs is very nice.

 

[E.intheC]

Is anyone using the Elos bulbs?

 

[ctxmonitor]

I'm using a DE 150w 20k Radium in my Solana pendant over a custom shallow tank. The light is very bright and not at all blue especially compared to the Phoenix 14k. I'm happy with the overall appearance growth of my corals and I bought a few for backups.

What ballast you are using it with? The ballast that you use usually also affect the color of the bulb.

 

[E.intheC]

What ballast you are using it with? The ballast that you use usually also affect the color of the bulb.

absolutely. I am using an Ice Cap electronic ballast.

 

[E.intheC]

Anyone else have bulb suggestions?

 

[prattreef]

If you are looking for a whiter 14K the Ushio is my favorite and what I use exclusively also on IC ballasts. These lamps are true 14k's i.e. closer to 10k's than the others like the Phoenix ( not over-driven) which IMO are really 20K lamps.

 

[E.intheC]

If you are looking for a whiter 14K the Ushio is my favorite and what I use exclusively also on IC ballasts. These lamps are true 14k's i.e. closer to 10k's than the others like the Phoenix ( not over-driven) which IMO are really 20K lamps.

Thanks for the help on this, prattreef.

I actually have a Ushio 14KK on my setup right now, and it's pretty dull, IMO. (The color is a crisp white, but it's dim.. although that could be because it's an old bulb). You're right about the Phoenix on an electronic ballast.. way too blue.

I'm looking for a white w/ blue coloration bulb that doesn't require actinic supplementation, as the only other lighting I'll have is actinic Powerbrites.

I might try the new Elos 20,000K bulbs if I can find them.

 

[prattreef]

Interesting, the Ushio shouldn't look dim at all, quite bright actually, not the florescent color pop of bluer lamps, but certainly not dim. I don't supplement either, but might be adding some LED actinics in the near future. It is funny, people absolutely love the colors of my tank when they visit and almost none like the Ushio when they try them themselves. For SPS I find them perfect, LPS and Zoas less so.

 

[mmike1992]

i used quite a few 150 watt de radium (which i use now) pheniox,ushio 20k, iwasaki 50k, i have a pfo electronic ballast here is my take

radium- brightest,slightly blue
pheniox-nice slightly blue light
ushio 20k -best color white slight blue/purple but i did see a color shift after about 6months with the two bulbs i used
iwasaki 50k- white slight purple tint

i think ushio is my fav bulb for color but not as bright as the radium radium is a little pricey also my tank now has the radium with led supplements

 

[E.intheC]

Thank you for you input mmike.

I wonder how much different the 150's are from the 250's...

I like the SE Radiums on a magnetic ballast but they might be too blue on an electronic