250 W Radiums - input requested

[fussoverthis]

Has anyone with LPS dominated tanks used 250w radiums for lighting? I'm really overlighting my tank using 400w radiums, so I want to change to 250's. I love the color of the 400w radiums on HQI ballast. Since I'm set up for mogul bulbs, I'd like to stay with moguls for now, otherwise I'd try the Phoenix 14k...

My tank is 24" deep. I'm planning on switching out my dual PFO HQI ballast for two Icecap electronic ballasts. I've heard that running radiums on an electronic ballast will make them burn more blue, which I don't think I'd mind.

I'd like some input from those who have tried or are running 250w radiums and also please specify what ballast you used.

Thanks!
Melissa

[Large Polyp Dave]

i've run them before no my ballasts

for a 20k bulb, their are reasonably bright (par). but you'll find that the bulbs need to be replaced twice as often as other MH bulbs. like every 6 months

[bugsy714]

I've been running them on a pfo 250 hqi and they are great. I'm planning on steping down to icecaps soon since some corals are frying in the hotspots but my tank is 15" tall

LP Dave- Why do they need to be replaced so often? If you overdrive them with hQI it makes sense but with electronic ballasts as well?

[fussoverthis]

Thanks guys! Bugsy - I know they do not last as long on HQI, but I think on an electronic ballast they'd have a normal bulb life. I've cut my halide photoperiod back quite a bit. That also saves bulb life. I've been running that PFO HQI on the 400w bulbs.

This will be my first lighting change. I ordered the 250w radiums, so I'll post some shots of the tank once I get them up and running.

Bugsy, do you have a shot of your tank with the lights on?

Melissa

[bugsy714]

Hey Melissa,

You can see the masterpiece in my wife's CV reefers gallery

I'll pm you the link =)

[Large Polyp Dave]

most users of the 250w radiums will notice significant spectrum shifts at the 6-7 month mark (although it depends on your photoperiod)

if you take a 7 month old radium and place it beside a brand new radium you'll notice a very big difference. one is blueish white (the new one) one is yellowish and dimmer (the old one)

[bugsy714]

I've seen that before with old radiums. The light loses that metallic sheen that makes them so nice.

How long are your radiums on every day?

[fussoverthis]

Bugsy - mine are on 6 hrs a day now. One comes on 1hr before the other and goes of an hour earlier.

How long is your photoperiod?

[bugsy714]

our photo period is usually 5pm-3am (10hrs?)

We don't run any suppliments, just halides. BTW the pics from the gallery are with about 1 month burn-in on an hqi ballast