MH Bulb Question

[topfeeder]

Setting up a new tank and want to see what you think. These are the bulbs I am thinking of, what do you think or do you have an input on others? Looking for a bluer color from them.This will be with a Ice Cap ballast and on a SPS tank Thanks

[topfeeder]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13572218#post13572218 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by topfeeder
Setting up a new tank and want to see what you think. These are the bulbs I am thinking of, what do you think or do you have an input on others? Looking for a bluer color from them.This will be with a Ice Cap ballast and on a SPS tank Thanks
Forgot to tell you the bulbs I was think of!!! Oh well!!!

Radium Metal Halide 20K 250 Watt Lamp

250W Ushio UHI Metal Halide 20K Blue Aquarium Lamp

XM-Lighting 250W 20K Mogul Metal Halide Bulb

[kdblove_99]

Xm is the bluest, Then Radium Then Ushio.

Radium is my Favorite bulb. Never used in on E ballast though only HQI. All 3 bulbs are very good. Teh XM is very blue and quite dim compared to the other 2.

HTH

[8BALL_99]

What kdblove said doesn't really apply to a Icecap ballast I've used both xm and radium 20ks 250watters and 400watters. They both look alot alike.. I like the look of the 250 watt radiums over the XMs But not by much.. Not enough to pay the extra $$ Not just that but the Radiums don't seem to last as long. The Radiums do have a little higher par though. Either are good bulbs.. never used a Ushio 20k so can't help you there.

[topfeeder]

Thanks ya both!!!!!!!!!!!

[topfeeder]

Thank ya both!!!!!!!!!!!

[mfinn]

If you are looking for a bulb for a sps tank I would think you would want a bulb with more par. Something like a Hamilton 14k bulb. Good blue color, but more par than the 20k bulbs you are looking at.
JMO

[kdblove_99]

If its 250 Watts the Hamilton has less PAR than a Radium and XM!

[mfinn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13576568#post13576568 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kdblove_99
If its 250 Watts the Hamilton has less PAR than a Radium and XM!


According to Sanjays charts, with a IceCap Ballast all se bulbs:

XM 20K has a PPFD of 53
Radium 20K has a PPFD of 66
Hamilton 14K has a PPFD of 69

Not much difference

[kdblove_99]

Oh yeah, Wasn't thinking of on Ice Cap. I wouldn't run a Radium on Ice Cap anyways. par is 85 on M80 ballast and par is higher on XM on M58. Wish Sanjay had numbers of these bulbs on Galaxy or Lumatek i bet they are better than IC

[8BALL_99]

Par is higher because the bulbs are over driven. This will pull more power decrease bulb life and generate more heat. But you get more light. The radium 400 is really only rated for something like 360 watts.