400 watt Radium 20K and ballast

[YellowBelly]

What is the best ballast to run a 400 watt Radium 20K? IceCap electronic ballast, PFO Magnetic Pulse Start or PFO Magnetic HQI? On Marine Depot it says the Radium burns more white on the HQI than it does on the Pulse Start. Also how often do the Radium bulbs need to be replaced?

[reef_guru]

many ppl suggest to go from 6-12 months before replacement. the only way to really know if the bulbs need to be replaced is with a lumen meter. different ballast drive the bulbs more. you could experiment yourself with different ballasts using the same bulb and a lumen meter to find out.

[YellowBelly]

Originally Posted by reef_guru

you could experiment yourself with different ballasts using the same bulb and a lumen meter to find out.

That's a very expensive experiment.

[coral reefer]

Electronic ballasts are better I believe and the bulb should be replaced at a year tops. Also the bluer the bulb the quicker it will need to be replaced as they wear quicker than say a 10000k bulb.

[YellowBelly]

Here are my options.

250 watt
2- Phoenix 14K DE metal halide bulbs = $59.95 ($119.90)
2 – Lumenarc III mini stealth reflectors = $139.95 ($279.90)
2 – IceCap 250 watt ballasts = $129.99 ($259.98 )
$659.78

with Actinics

TEK II T-5 retrofit 2x54 watt = $94.98
Giesemann Pure Actinic 54 watt T-5 bulb = $22.64 ($45.28 )
$140.26

Total: $800.04


400 watt
2 – Lumenarc III mini reflectors = $109.95 ($219.90)
2 – IceCap 400 Watt ballasts = $174.95 ($349.90)
2 – Helios 20K mogul bulbs = $69.95 ($139.90)
$709.70

or

400 watt
2 – Lumenarc III mini reflectors = $109.95 ($219.90)
2 – CoralVue 400 Watt ballasts = $144.95 ($289.90)
2 – Helios 20K mogul bulbs = $69.95 ($139.90)
$649.70


Will I really see much more growth or coloration with 400 watt bulbs over my current 250 watt set up?

[aquaboy]

I vot for either 1 on bottom. Icecaps are as good as many other ballasts, but elec. ballasts are the shiz. Check out PFO, i have a dual 250 from them and its so simple and runs cool.