10k --> Radium 20k 150W comparison pics

[Jandree22]

Finally got my first replacement bulbs from the 10k Current USA oem bulbs that came in the Outer Orbit system (150w electronic ballast). The 10k's were nice, just not eye candy. The new Radium's are looking sexy :) Just a bit whiter than actinic color but a bit 'cleaner' of light, of course the beautiful glitter lines, and corals do indeed pop nicely (dynamic coloration, not washed out). There's certainly no longer a need for 4x T5 actinics, so at least 2 will be replaced with daylight.

So without further ado...

Radium 20K Firing up...

10 seconds...
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i199/jandree22/75g%20Reef/DSC_0805.jpg

1 minute...
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i199/jandree22/75g%20Reef/DSC_0806.jpg

~5 minutes... full color.
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i199/jandree22/75g%20Reef/DSC_0807.jpg


10k Current USA vs. 20K Radium - MH ONLY

10k...
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i199/jandree22/75g%20Reef/DSC_0791.jpg

Radium...
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i199/jandree22/75g%20Reef/DSC_0806.jpg


10k Current USA vs. 20K Radium - MH & Actinic

10k...
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i199/jandree22/75g%20Reef/DSC_0792.jpg

Radium...
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i199/jandree22/75g%20Reef/DSC_0808.jpg


10k Current USA vs. 20K Radium - MH & Actinic Closeup

10k...
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i199/jandree22/75g%20Reef/DSC_0801.jpg

Radium...
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i199/jandree22/75g%20Reef/DSC_0809.jpg

[Rhizo]

Sweet! The 20k sure looks better!

[hottuna]

that radium looks washed out...the most natural pic you have there is the 10k + the actinics...
P.S - I know alot of folks will not like this- but radiums look terrible as a stand alone bulb on a tank...( IMO )

[Jandree22]

I beg to differ. Have you ever seen a natural reef in person? The reason I ask this, is pictures of real reefs are deceiving in that many times strobe camera flashes bring out a lot more color than sunlight penetration loss provides. After you go down about 10 feet or deeper, everything is pretty much blue. Reds and yellows get washed out very near the surface. So just my feeling, this looks more natural, to me, than seeing prominent reds and yellows in the rock and sand, etc. That being said, the fluorescence of the corals do pop, much as they still do in nature.

Admitedly the T5 actinics are now overkill and will ultimately be replaced with whiter bulbs (if not full spectrum). That and for those possibly considering this bulb, a magnetic ballast will almost certainly bring out more white than blue in the bulbs as they'll be driven harder.

I appreciate your opinions nonetheless

[NCNBilly]

Looks great - as the radium breaks in it'll get a bit whiter which is what I think you are looking for. The 10k bulb was very yellow, and in person sure didn't look natural to me.

[saltygeek]

I've been thinking of switching out my sundpods 14k with a radium 20k. Do you know how often this bulb should be replaced? Standard 12 months?
thanks

[Jandree22]

saltygeek, being an electronic ballast, it will not overdrive the bulbs and you can squeeze some more life. that being said, I myself don't know a specific answer to your question, but will probably stretch it out to 12 months.

somewhere out there in internet land (I think Advance Aquarist or Reefkeeping Mag) someone did a study on the output of MH bulbs, and after an initial dropoff in < 6 months, the output dropoff flattened significantly for the remainder of the life of the bulb. therefore somewhat debunking the 12 month replacement schedule. so I dunno :)

[kaskiles]

Thank you very much for posting this. I have just recently switched from the stock current usa 14000k 150w bulb that comes with the sunpod to a 15000k XM bulb and have noticed a big increase in growth, and slightly better coloration (my spongodes is finally starting to get it's green back...). Anyway, I've been thinking of putting a 150w 20000k radium in it next, this comparison just made my decision to do so.

[mixer911]

Radium, hands down......

[saltygeek]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14974669#post14974669 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jandree22
saltygeek, being an electronic ballast, it will not overdrive the bulbs and you can squeeze some more life. that being said, I myself don't know a specific answer to your question, but will probably stretch it out to 12 months.

somewhere out there in internet land (I think Advance Aquarist or Reefkeeping Mag) someone did a study on the output of MH bulbs, and after an initial dropoff in < 6 months, the output dropoff flattened significantly for the remainder of the life of the bulb. therefore somewhat debunking the 12 month replacement schedule. so I dunno :)

Thanks, Im going to replace mine after 12months too and see how it goes. Also, did you use any screen or shorten photoperiod when you replaced yours? Im thinking its not needed going from 14k to 20k.

[James77]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14974669#post14974669 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jandree22
saltygeek, being an electronic ballast, it will not overdrive the bulbs and you can squeeze some more life. that being said, I myself don't know a specific answer to your question, but will probably stretch it out to 12 months.


Electronic ballasts underdrive the radium, it will run at spec wattage with a Magenetic M81 ballast(for the 150 watt version). The output will be reduced and it will be a bit blue-er when underdriven.

The 250 watt Radium is properly driven with a magnetic M80 ballast. Running the Radiums with these ballasts will not reduce its life.

[Jandree22]

salty, my lighting hangs from the ceiling on adjustable lines. I raised the bulbs from 6" to 11" above the surface and kept my photoperiod the same. screening or cutting back the photoperiod will have the similar outcome. that being said going from 10K to 20K I'm losing PAR even being a brand new bulb, but I still rose the lighting for the sake of precaution.

James, thanks for the clarification on that.

[saltygeek]

Thanks guys

[stanlalee]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14973863#post14973863 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hottuna
that radium looks washed out...

that applies to just about ALL 20k bulbs before they break in. they wont be that blue or washed out after break in.

[HMOOB]

Thanks for the posting the comparison photos. I'm considering changing my 14k to Radium 20k. What about grow? Anyone know?

[Fireworm]

I had a pair of 400w 20K radiums on my 90 for over 2 years before replacing the bulbs. I ran magnetic ballast on mine. I would still be running them today if I had not switched over to T5. Even after 2 yrs of use, I had great color and growth.

Radiums are by far my favorite MH bulbs. So my opinion is a little biased.

[arc eye]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14980922#post14980922 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by stanlalee
that applies to just about ALL 20k bulbs before they break in. they wont be that blue or washed out after break in.

Plus one on that. Nearly all 14K/20Ks look super blue before they break in I bet they will look great.

[arc eye]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15345460#post15345460 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by arc eye
Plus one on that. Nearly all 14K/20Ks look super blue before they break in I bet they will look great.

Speaking of which, you should post an update pic.

[Emster]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14975076#post14975076 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by James77
Electronic ballasts underdrive the radium, it will run at spec wattage with a Magenetic M81 ballast(for the 150 watt version). The output will be reduced and it will be a bit blue-er when underdriven.

The 250 watt Radium is properly driven with a magnetic M80 ballast. Running the Radiums with these ballasts will not reduce its life.

I believe this is correct.


I have a 90gal frag tank(60 by 24 by 12) that has two 150watt radiums on HQI blue wave ballasts(M81 I believe). My first two bulbs burned different color so I sent the white looking one back, the one they sent me still looked different so I just kept it, its on my frag tank so no big deal to me. On the HQI ballasts they are very white for a Radium much whiter then the pics above. I also want to point out that these bulbs really need to be treated like 250's. I bleached some corals thinking I could run a longer photo period with them being 150's :(

After looking at these pics I might have to try them on electronic ballasts to get more blue out of them. Does anyone know if this will shorten the bulb life?

[Jandree22]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15345465#post15345465 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by arc eye
Speaking of which, you should post an update pic.
sure. I'm out of town right now but I'll try to remember to put one up later tonight. only part that may be tricky is I can't remember the exact settings on my camera from the last shoot, but ultimately I'll try to get as close as I can to what my eyeballs are seeing in the tank.

there's more frags in there this time around too ;)

(Emmett, off topic, but your tank (Jan 09 TOTM) is absolutely stunning, nice work!)

[Jandree22]

update, I'm a little p.o.'ed now with these bulbs, I dunno what caused it. all of a sudden my one Radium shifted color to a 10-12k color, the other is still 20k. now it's going to bug the heck out of me but no money to replace.

I swapped bulbs to make sure it wasn't the ballast, and yeah it's the bulb. The bulb glass is browned ever so slightly in the 20k, but a good big more browned on the 10-12k burning one. Again, these are on an electric ballast... maybe that screwed it up?

Ugh, oh well, hopefully I'm an isolated case. Sorry for the downer.

[padova335i]

funny that u mention that, same exact thing on my bulb, im going to see if i can return the bulb.. all blue except one is def more yellow, no idea why

[Zebodog]

Another one back from the dead...

Radium's don't like electronic ballasts - you really need to run them on a magnetic ballast to get the most out of them. On a proper ballast, you'll find that they are closer to a crisp white than a blue; the 20k is somewhat misleading (at least with the 150's and I ran two sets)

[JW65]

This thread is exactly what I was looking for, for a reference for replacing my bulbs. They are not ready to be replaced yet but I know what I am getting when they are ready. Those 20k radium look sweeet.