150 watt DE Radiums

[chull13]

Anyone ever use the 150 watt DE version of the radiums? I'm Thinking about doing that route with a M81 ballast for my new 30 gallon 24x18x16. Do you think heat will be an issue? I don't want a chiller.

 

[jdavid]

I think with 150 watt MH over a 30g the key would be hanging the lights a good 10" over the water

Edit: Congrats on the new tank

 

[chull13]

Agreed. And plan to have a couple of fans in the canopy.

 

[jdavid]

Personally I have used Phoenix 14k DE 250w and it looked great. I also had 96w (24w x4) of actinic T5 though.

Does the radium come in 14k? Or only 20k

 

[chull13]

I believe it is 20K only. They were sold out at marine depot forever but I notice yet are in stock now. I thought they maybe had discontinued them.

 

[jdavid]

somebody else will have to contribute. I've never had anything 20k, I don't know what the colors would be like in your tank.

These bulbs are so expensive though. I'd probably go with phoenix 14k. I saw them for under $50 on amazon. Unless you are dead set on 20k

 

[chull13]

Yeah they are around $80. But if I don't use any supplemental t5s with the radiums the cost may wash only having to replace the 1 bulb instead of the MH and 2 T5s.

 

[jdavid]

true the 20k should be more of a blue/purple color on it's own

 

[ralph atl]

Yes, I actually have..long ago...no heat issues...

I have 2, 400 watt Radiums over my 90 now without a chiller, lol...(besides a dumbutt move 4 months ago...) my tank hasn't gone over 79. I use high velocity PC fans over my sump...for years on end....

 

[ringo®]

mysterybox;897542 wrote: Yes, I actually have..long ago...no heat issues...

I have 2, 400 watt Radiums over my 90 now without a chiller, lol...(besides a dumbutt move 4 months ago...) my tank hasn't gone over 79. I use high velocity PC fans over my sump...for years on end....

What's your evap rate?

 

[ralph atl]

3 gallons a day approx