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Im long overdue for a lamp change and the 10K XM is out of the question as MrFishy kindly lent me his and I was dissapointed with it.
Im not overly concerned with growth rates however I do want a more natural looking light, so Im not convinced about the 20K Radiums however Im led to believe, based on information from RC, that the Radium isn't too blue, but Im beginning to think the yanks tend to like their blue hues!
Ive also heard that the new Reeflux 20K isn't that blue, but I find that difficult to believe!
Any suggestions?
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Radium 20K or XM 15K Anyone tried them?
#2
chriss 
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Posted 23 February 2010 - 12:00 PM
I had a 400W 20K radium at one point, came with a used ballast/reflector. It's blue, very blue but also very bright definitely not natural but with some 10K mixed in I would expect it to be very good.
If the lamps were ony £20 a pop then you could afford to get a selection and try them out, unfortunately thats not the case.
Chris
If the lamps were ony £20 a pop then you could afford to get a selection and try them out, unfortunately thats not the case.
Chris
#3 Guest_Quigs_*
Posted 23 February 2010 - 12:05 PM
chriss, on Feb 23 2010, 01:00 PM, said:
If the lamps were ony £20 a pop then you could afford to get a selection and try them out, unfortunately thats not the case.
Chris
Chris
That would be the ideal scenario, and of course they are in the States - I can get a Radium for £25 used, which I may give a go!
#4
mrfishy
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Posted 23 February 2010 - 04:14 PM
Quigs, on Feb 23 2010, 11:34 AM, said:
Im long overdue for a lamp change and the 10K XM is out of the question as MrFishy kindly lent me his and I was dissapointed with it.
Im not overly concerned with growth rates however I do want a more natural looking light, so Im not convinced about the 20K Radiums however Im led to believe, based on information from RC, that the Radium isn't too blue, but Im beginning to think the yanks tend to like their blue hues!
Ive also heard that the new Reeflux 20K isn't that blue, but I find that difficult to believe!
Any suggestions?
Im not overly concerned with growth rates however I do want a more natural looking light, so Im not convinced about the 20K Radiums however Im led to believe, based on information from RC, that the Radium isn't too blue, but Im beginning to think the yanks tend to like their blue hues!
Ive also heard that the new Reeflux 20K isn't that blue, but I find that difficult to believe!
Any suggestions?
just shows that some tanks looks different on the same lamp, on my reef the 10k xm looks fantastic !!!!
what ballasts are you running Graham?
I DON'T KEEP CLAMS I KEEP WATER !!!
#5 Guest_Quigs_*
Posted 23 February 2010 - 05:57 PM
They are the marinelux electronics, one fixed and one dimmable.
Found out a little more about the Radium and apparently they run better on magnetic ballast and run very blue on e-ballasts, so they are out of the equation. Also been told the XM 15K is very low on PAR and the 20K is actually better, but i still reckon too blue.
Found out a little more about the Radium and apparently they run better on magnetic ballast and run very blue on e-ballasts, so they are out of the equation. Also been told the XM 15K is very low on PAR and the 20K is actually better, but i still reckon too blue.
#7 Guest_Quigs_*
Posted 23 February 2010 - 06:22 PM
BLV 14K.......tempted!!
Price wise, I think I may order a large amount direct from the states as the prices over here have gone mental!
Price wise, I think I may order a large amount direct from the states as the prices over here have gone mental!
#8
mrfishy
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Posted 23 February 2010 - 07:24 PM
i ran a BLV 250 10k the build quality was on par with the XM, i was happy with the colour but colour is in the eye of the beholder !!
is it the manufacturing costs or????? that has made them increase at an astounding rate.
is it the manufacturing costs or????? that has made them increase at an astounding rate.
I DON'T KEEP CLAMS I KEEP WATER !!!
#9 Guest_Quigs_*
Posted 23 February 2010 - 08:25 PM
Im considering the BLV as I used to use the 250W 10K and was pleased with them, i think bobba is using them now. I can also get them locally at Western Electrical for a reasonable price.
#10
bobba fett
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Posted 23 February 2010 - 09:56 PM
I certainly am using the BLV's, thanks Quigs, I am very happy with them.
If you can get them at a good price you wouldn't fancy PM'ing me would you? I am getting towards a change
If you can get them at a good price you wouldn't fancy PM'ing me would you? I am getting towards a change
I suggest a change of plan... Let the wookie win
Check out www.Reefpark.net if you have a minute
Check out www.Reefpark.net if you have a minute
#13 Guest_Quigs_*
Posted 24 February 2010 - 05:53 PM
I think ushio is BLV. Its the US term for them I think.
Just tried a Giesemann 20K (courtesy of TAC) and that looks like Im just running on Actinic T5's, no surprises there really.
Have to say though, Mark is running 20K radiums in his holding area and they are certainly not as blue as I expected them to be however he was running on magnetic ballasts which apparently make quite a difference in not giving such a blue appearance.
Just tried a Giesemann 20K (courtesy of TAC) and that looks like Im just running on Actinic T5's, no surprises there really.
Have to say though, Mark is running 20K radiums in his holding area and they are certainly not as blue as I expected them to be however he was running on magnetic ballasts which apparently make quite a difference in not giving such a blue appearance.
#15 Guest_Quigs_*
Posted 25 February 2010 - 07:31 AM
Simon.....got your PM, looks very interesting. What do you reckon?
#16
reefyman
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Posted 25 February 2010 - 06:52 PM
the info on the blv's seem to suggest that they both emit the same amount of lumens and the spectral charts for both are almost identical except the 14k's have extra peaks in the bluer range,incidentally the two high peaks in the green/yellow area show the 14k with slightly higher values.therfore i would imagine to the eye they are probably going to be just as bright as the 10k's.the amounts of par however could be wildly different,will have too have a look see if anyones done any par readings on the 14k,maybe sanji has done these now.ive got a price now from a local electrical wholesaler for the 14k blvs.i think when comparing lamps you should remember the blvs quality and 8000 hour lamp life.
#18
Gary Smith
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Posted 26 February 2010 - 04:38 PM
i think this is the chart you are wanting i hope the link works as it sometimes doesn't lol cheers gary
http://www.manhattanreefs.com/lighting
the two lamp option is very good for comparing 2 makes of lamp gary
http://www.manhattanreefs.com/lighting
the two lamp option is very good for comparing 2 makes of lamp
gary
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