HELP ME CHOOSE A 20k 400w bulb!

[gasman059]

I run xm's 20k 400w three of them over my 200 sps and really like them, its time for change and i need strong reasons to consider any others. I would appreciate any info in this matter from personal experiences.:smokin:

[Juan-Carlos]

I love 20k Radiums

[gasman059]

Hey JC how often u change them?

[EnderG60]

what kind of balasts you running? and why do you want to change?

[eckrynock]

20k Radiums look great on HQI ballasts. If you have standard magnetic 400w ballasts, I doubt you will find something you like color and PAR-wise better than the XM 20ks.

[brad23]

CV20k are nice as are EVC and Helios 20k

[gasman059]

Well i really dont wanna change but at the same time is there somthing out there that I'm missing. I've had radiums in the past and the whole 6 month change routine got to be too much for me. I've been happy with my XMS. But recently saw a 200 with helios and really liked d look.
I run 3 magnetic standard ballasts

[Juan-Carlos]

Yes I recomedn Radiums be run on HQI ballast always, I love the color and the reaction of corals to the light. I change them out every year, but let me tell you although they have a reputation of burning out quickly I have a pair of 250 radium that I left running after the year mark and they are still very bright and they are going on past two years. I guess in my experience the myth of radium's short life span is not so true. But thats just my experience!

Regards,

-Jc

[gasman059]

thank jc I have standard ballast so XM will remain my choice TY

[Jayreefer]

I love my helios 20k but they need to be run by a HQI ballast.

[brad23]

Just tested my 400w CV20k and they put 1500par 1/2 inch under the water surface and 500par to the sand bed in a 75g with a lumenmax2 9 inches above the water surface.

This was about 50 - 100 more par than what I was getting with the 250w reeflux 10k