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View Full Version : XM 10k's too bright with Lumenbright


VaderWS6
10/08/2008, 06:29 PM
I think my XM 10k's are a little too bright now with the Lumen Bright reflectors. I overdrive them with an HQI ballast, and would like to go with a different bulb. Whats a good SE bulb that will look good with an HQI ballast? I was thinking SE Reeflux, but I've heard they're pink on an HQI.. By the way, the bulbs are 250 watt.

grigsy
10/08/2008, 06:59 PM
Why not go with Radium 250 watt. I have run those on an HQI 250 watt ballast before and I liked it. They will be less bright than the XM 10K and more blue.

VaderWS6
10/09/2008, 11:35 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13510328#post13510328 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by grigsy
Why not go with Radium 250 watt. I have run those on an HQI 250 watt ballast before and I liked it. They will be less bright than the XM 10K and more blue.

I would love to, but I've heard they only last for around 6 months.. Too expensive to replace that often.

Angela Short
10/09/2008, 01:30 PM
FWIW I saw this post that may answer your question from someone whos tank always looks good and I respect his opinion. I noticed he used the same ballast you mentioned.. Not sure on how long the radiums bulbs last though but I always heard to replace halides every 8-12 months anyways. Not sure how to use the quote button but this is what he said .........

I've been back on 250's for almost 2 years now. After finding the right ballast/bulb combo, I'm extremely happy. If you saw my tank today, you'd be amazed as it has never looked better. I run either HQI or CoralVue ballasts (cranked up a bit) with Radium bulbs on LumenArc reflectors. Granted, my tank is only 18" deep, but I can grow colorful SPS on the bottom and actually have most of the LPS in partial shade. I'll not go back to 400's anytime soon but know others who have recently upgraded to 400 on HQI ballasts.

FranktheTankTx
10/09/2008, 01:35 PM
The Radium will last longer than 6 months. You can easily get 9 months out of it. It's a great bulb!

I don't think the XM 10k is suppose to be run on a HQI ballast - but I might be wrong.

grigsy
10/09/2008, 02:18 PM
I used to get a year out of a Radium 250 watt bulb.

tweetyfish
10/09/2008, 03:03 PM
Aquaconnect, been running for 14 months now and still kicking. Growth is great w/ lumenmax elite reflectors and M80 ballast.

shelburn61
10/09/2008, 03:11 PM
aquaconnect or radium would be my choices. They are both HQI rated bulbs. Ushio is an option also if you want less blue

Nanook
10/09/2008, 03:28 PM
Radium 250 watt bulb is meant to run on HQI ballast. I have heard of people using them for a full 12 months with no issues, unlike the 400 watt bulbs.

jdolores
10/09/2008, 05:05 PM
I noticed your running lumenbrights with those bulbs. Are your reflectors atleast 16 inches above the water surface as recommended to get the benefits that these reflectors bring. Before the testing published on RC with lumenbrights, I got mine the first week they came out. Not knowing about the concentrated light beam projected by these reflectors I had them only 3-4 inches above the watersurface. Bulbs used were radium 20k 250's. I burnt all my SPS's and switched back to my phoenix 250 HQI's. As time passed I read the article and adjusted the height of the reflectors. I'm in love with them.

Do you have supplemental lighting going with those 10k's? Even though I run 20k 250's I still run two 110 VHO's super actinics, love the combination. Good Luck.

VaderWS6
10/10/2008, 12:21 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13516385#post13516385 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jdolores
I noticed your running lumenbrights with those bulbs. Are your reflectors atleast 16 inches above the water surface as recommended to get the benefits that these reflectors bring. Before the testing published on RC with lumenbrights, I got mine the first week they came out. Not knowing about the concentrated light beam projected by these reflectors I had them only 3-4 inches above the watersurface. Bulbs used were radium 20k 250's. I burnt all my SPS's and switched back to my phoenix 250 HQI's. As time passed I read the article and adjusted the height of the reflectors. I'm in love with them.

Do you have supplemental lighting going with those 10k's? Even though I run 20k 250's I still run two 110 VHO's super actinics, love the combination. Good Luck.


Yup, I've got mine about 18" above the surface. How bright were the 20k's compared to your Phoenix? Were the Radiums SE or DE? Will the Radium 20k intensity be about half of what the XM 10k is?

jdolores
10/31/2008, 07:49 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13521312#post13521312 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by VaderWS6
Yup, I've got mine about 18" above the surface. How bright were the 20k's compared to your Phoenix? Were the Radiums SE or DE? Will the Radium 20k intensity be about half of what the XM 10k is?

Sorry for the very very late reply. I thought the 14k phoenix were great but comparing the radium side by side the radium was alot brighter. Oh yeah, radiums were SE and the phoenix 14k were DE's. I used to have the XM 10k and it was too yellow for me, I guess if you had the supplemental lighting (two 110 vho actinic) it would help with coloring.

VaderWS6
11/01/2008, 08:32 PM
I've been using Radium 20k's for about 3 weeks now and love the color!! Crisp white/blue, and the color just keeps getting better as they burn in. I never thought I would be a fan of a blue bulb, but Radium just has a beautiful color. I just hope my sps will still grow fairly well under this bulb.

kdblove_99
11/02/2008, 09:04 AM
Radium is the best. My corals grew very well under them.

Greg 45
11/02/2008, 09:14 AM
Who sells aquaconnect 400 watt m/h single ended bulbs
THANK YOU

kdblove_99
11/02/2008, 11:46 AM
YOu try Premium Aquatics?

kdblove_99
11/02/2008, 11:48 AM
Here you go, that is one expensive bulb

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=14K-400SE-AC&Category_Code=mh-400w