MH Bulb Question

[jdabs]

I'm currently running 2x 250W SPS 14K bulbs on my tank. I'm going to start using 400W MHs now. I picked up some magnetic ballasts (thanks Robb) but I need to get some mogul based bulbs. My question is which bulbs should I get and where is the best place to order them from? I have a small T5HO fixture in the canopy also but no other supplemental lighting. Let me know what you guys think. Thanks!

 

[cr500_af]

Radiums make me drool. If I switch to SE bulbs I'm not even considering anything else... and I don't think you can find 'em on the web cheaper than Tim. However, considering some of the other prices I've seen I'd check with John at A.T.A. before I bought also.

 

[jdabs]

Thanks Barry! I'm definitely up for supporting the local sponsors! Would you suggest the 20k bulb or something else?

 

[grouper therapy]

Which type magnetic ballast are they? pulse start ? probe start? hqi?
that can have a bearing on the bulb type

 

[cr500_af]

John, Radiums are all 20KK bulbs. As Grouper stated, the ballast is important... some won't fire Radiums (plus different ballasts affect the color). I'm tagging along so I can learn exactly which ballasts work with them... I'm going to need to either get two more 250w ballasts for the big tank, or else sell my 250w stuff and go to 3x400w.

The only reason I am not using Radiums is that my lighting is DE stuff, and I don't have the coin for quality reflectors right now. Tim convinced me that I'm better off with my current bulbs (Ushio DE 20KK) in quality DE reflectors (mine are PFO) than I would be with Radiums in cheap reflectors.

 

[jaustin]

If your going to a 400w bulb then go 20K for sure. If you have M135 ballasts you can run Ushio and Radium. If you have M59 ballasts than you can run XM 20K and I think Coralvue reeflux 20K.

Those 4 are my top favorite and you can't go wrong with either. Keen Reef has a GREAT price on Radium if you can run it.

 

[jdabs]

Good thought Dave! I know one of the ballasts is a pulse start. I need to check the other one to verify. I am still running on those large bat wing reflectors, so the advice from Tim would probably apply to me too.

Barry, you should just pick up that trio of reflectos Robb has along with the 400W electronic ballasts. They wouldn't fit in my canopy or I might have had to pick them up from him!!

 

[cr500_af]

I wish I had the coin, my friend... I'd love to have those.

 

[jdabs]

JAustin;537200 wrote: If your going to a 400w bulb then go 20K for sure. If you have M135 ballasts you can run Ushio and Radium. If you have M59 ballasts than you can run XM 20K and I think Coralvue reeflux 20K.

Those 4 are my top favorite and you can't go wrong with either. Keen Reef has a GREAT price on Radium if you can run it.

Thanks!! That's good info to have!! I'll check them in the morning to see if I can find out for sure what they are.

 

[jaustin]

Whatever you do ditch the batwing reflectors, a lot of wasted light there.