Radium vs Hamilton 20k spectrum

[Hurricane Aquatics]

After a bit more digging..Probably a phantom company..

Yeah, I tried clicking on about us and nothing. Oh well.

 

[oreo54]

Yeah, I tried clicking on about us and nothing. Oh well.

actually I get an "about us" web page. Pages are not https: so some browsers may not open it.
Website 2006, plus 7 years.. 2013

 

[Reefahholic]

The point of using an m80 ballast with the 250w radiums is not really much for color to the eye but to make sure we get the proper life and par from the bulbs. On a m80 ballast a radium should last about 14+months with no significant drop in par, compared to under a year on a electronic ballast that will underdrive the bulb severely.

Are these still in stock at Aquarium Specialty or have they not updated their website?

 

[Reefahholic]

It's well determinated long ago: M80

Yeah, that is long gone apparently. So what is the next best option to dive that bulb close to spec to get the same par and bulb life.

 

[Reefahholic]

JDA, I like you buddy, you're a wealth of MH information, but I have to ding you on this one, lol.

Are you reading?

"FACTORY DIRECT - USUALLY SHIPS OUT WITHIN 1-2 Days"

That's from Hamilton and I can tell you for 100% they don't have them. I've checked.

European making them? Possible, no idea.

A couple guys tried to order and it’s not available. Somebody needs to call Aquarium Specialty and tell them to update their website.

 

[Reefahholic]

I have new Reef Brite 250w electronic ballasts. They're not the old M80s though.

So what is the magic with the old M80’s? Why doesn’t nothing else compare and what is the best option to drive that 250w Radium closest to spec.?

 

[Reefahholic]

Nice find! I was going to order 2, but they want $200 for UPS shipping. Ouch.

Will these drive a 250w Radium equally as good as the M80’s?

 

[Reefahholic]

So what is the next best ballast and bulb that can compete with the 250w Radium for PAR, Growth, etc. Looks like the M80’s are done. At least anything new.

 

[alton]

The old argument of Radium only run properly on M80 or to spec is back again. I always used MH lamps with Coralvue electronic ballast. I started with Reeflux 12K lamps from coralvue and then moved to Radium and Phoenix. Both Phoenix and Radium matched in PAR output and visually to the eye. Lamps averaged 16 months. I had one go 24 months and one only lasted 12 months. Lamps where changed when they dropped more than 10% in PAR values. I have not run MH since 2016, I miss the growth, not the ugly large pendants needed to light up my tanks and dissipate the heat. M80 ballast put out more watts so the lamps where more white with more PAR values. I guess I need to add pictures

 

[oreo54]

So what is the magic with the old M80’s? Why doesn’t nothing else compare and what is the best option to drive that 250w Radium closest to spec.?

Just wattage. The m80's drive 300 plus watts through the "250w" bulbs.
Changes output and spectrum.
Now did Geisseman tweak the bulbs to be more compatible w/ modern electronic ballasts? What are current " specs"?

Even in super lumens or whatever electronic ballasts they never push 300 plus watts
May not be exact numbers.
Also opens another question.
What is the output of the current Geisseman supplied ballasts?
Magnetic or electronic? Wattage?
Hybrid? Only thing I'm sure if is they are dual mh/t5 ballasts

Exact numbers ..

Product Review: Spectral Analysis of 250W Mogul base Metal Halide Lamps – PART II

This article presents the data on the remaining nine 250W mogul base lamps along with the comparison of all the 250W mogul lamps.

reefs.com

M80's 333 watts @"250".

 

[alton]

The difference in most lamps some where Pulse Start (Radium, Reflux, Phoenix) which worked on M80, M153 (I think) and Electronic. Probe Start XM and 250w Ushio. Some had issues with lamps starting worked with M57 through M59. Early Coralvue ballast output was like 275w, later ballast had a 250+ setting.

 

[A. grandis]

Yeah, that is long gone apparently. So what is the next best option to dive that bulb close to spec to get the same par and bulb life.

Everything lately in life has been so relative! Unfortunately things aren't that easy as substitute a ballast for MH and call it a day, IF you want to expect the BEST out f it. When the manufacturer designs the MH they determine the ins and outs of that bulb and all specs follow that!
There will be no other ballast that would drive the Radium 250W like the M80.
There is an option to the Radium 250W, and that should be considered for those who can't get their hands on that M80 ballast, but only IF tey are worried to get the very best out of that bulb in terms of life and spectrum in the long run!! One can be fine using the Radium with 250W without any problems and still get great results with their corals.
In other hand they could get the Hamilton 250W 20K and use with electronic ballast. The Radium was designed to work optimally with the M80 and the Hamilton 20K was designed to work optimally with electronic ballast. They will look basically the same to the human eyes an will give superb results when used as designed in the long run.

 

[Reefahholic]

Just wattage. The m80's drive 300 plus watts through the "250w" bulbs.
Changes output and spectrum.
Now did Geisseman tweak the bulbs to be more compatible w/ modern electronic ballasts? What are current " specs"?

Even in super lumens or whatever electronic ballasts they never push 300 plus watts
May not be exact numbers.
Also opens another question.
What is the output of the current Geisseman supplied ballasts?
Magnetic or electronic? Wattage?
Hybrid? Only thing I'm sure if is they are dual mh/t5 ballasts

Exact numbers ..

Product Review: Spectral Analysis of 250W Mogul base Metal Halide Lamps – PART II

This article presents the data on the remaining nine 250W mogul base lamps along with the comparison of all the 250W mogul lamps.

reefs.com

M80's 333 watts @"250".

That’s a pretty significant difference.

 

[Reefahholic]

Everything lately in life has been so relative! Unfortunately things aren't that easy as substitute a ballast for MH and call it a day, IF you want to expect the BEST out f it. When the manufacturer designs the MH they determine the ins and outs of that bulb and all specs follow that!
There will be no other ballast that would drive the Radium 250W like the M80.
There is an option to the Radium 250W, and that should be considered for those who can't get their hands on that M80 ballast, but only IF tey are worried to get the very best out of that bulb in terms of life and spectrum in the long run!! One can be fine using the Radium with 250W without any problems and still get great results with their corals.
In other hand they could get the Hamilton 250W 20K and use with electronic ballast. The Radium was designed to work optimally with the M80 and the Hamilton 20K was designed to work optimally with electronic ballast. They will look basically the same to the human eyes an will give superb results when used as designed in the long run.

Does Hamilton make a 250w 14K? I think they do if I remember correctly.

Which ballast is the best for a 250w 20K or 14K? Can you Link it here. LuXcore or Icecap?

 

[A. grandis]

Does Hamilton make a 250w 14K? I think they do if I remember correctly.

Which ballast is the best for a 250w 20K or 14K? Can you Link it here. LuXcore or Icecap?

LuXcore and Icecap are basically the same thing in regards to the ability to be used with the range of bulbs in existence IMO.

Either electronic ballasts can be used for all current Hamilton bulbs. You can get the selectable ballasts or Hamilton electronic ballast, if you find. The 250W Hamilton can be used also with M58 ballasts without any problems. As Hamilton states either type of ballasts will run their bubs. It's all about the recommendation from the factory, by design.

250 Watt Bulbs

250 Watt Double Ended Bulbs

There must be a huge number of people going back to halides and the stocks are going out really fast!

250 Watt M58 Assembled Ballast

IceCap LuXcore 150W-250W Selectable Wattage Metal Halide Electronic Ballast at the best price

CoralVue LuXcore 150W-250W Selectable Wattage Metal Halide Electronic Ballast. LuXcore digital electronic ballasts are the most advanced lighting solution for modern reef keeper. These UL approved selectable ballast offer the hobbyist the luxury of switching between lamp wattage and drive modes...

www.aquacave.com

CoralVue LuXcore 150w/175w/250w Selectable Electronic Metal Halide Ballast

Selectable ballast runs 150w, 175w, 250w mogul or double ended metal halide lamps. Includes a 3 prong grounded plug and 12ft harness with Sun System style quick disconnect.

www.championlighting.com

 

[Reefahholic]

LuXcore and Icecap are basically the same thing in regards to the ability to be used with the range of bulbs in existence IMO.

Either electronic ballasts can be used for all current Hamilton bulbs. You can get the selectable ballasts or Hamilton electronic ballast, if you find. The 250W Hamilton can be used also with M58 ballasts without any problems. As Hamilton states either type of ballasts will run their bubs. It's all about the recommendation from the factory, by design.

250 Watt Bulbs

250 Watt Double Ended Bulbs

There must be a huge number of people going back to halides and the stocks are going out really fast!

250 Watt M58 Assembled Ballast

IceCap LuXcore 150W-250W Selectable Wattage Metal Halide Electronic Ballast at the best price

CoralVue LuXcore 150W-250W Selectable Wattage Metal Halide Electronic Ballast. LuXcore digital electronic ballasts are the most advanced lighting solution for modern reef keeper. These UL approved selectable ballast offer the hobbyist the luxury of switching between lamp wattage and drive modes...

www.aquacave.com

CoralVue LuXcore 150w/175w/250w Selectable Electronic Metal Halide Ballast

Selectable ballast runs 150w, 175w, 250w mogul or double ended metal halide lamps. Includes a 3 prong grounded plug and 12ft harness with Sun System style quick disconnect.

www.championlighting.com

Thank you for all the info!

Out of those 3 ballast and bulbs, which would you use today if you started over?

Or would you go with something completely different.

 

[A. grandis]

Thank you for all the info!

Out of those 3 ballast and bulbs, which would you use today if you started over?

Or would you go with something completely different.

You're very welcome!
I like the Hamilton 20K a lot.
Their 14K also.
The easiest way to go without any trouble finding gear today.
It's really up to you. Can't go wrong with halides.

 

[Reefahholic]

You're very welcome!
I like the Hamilton 20K a lot.
Their 14K also.
The easiest way to go without any trouble finding gear today.
It's really up to you. Can't go wrong with halides.

Well apparently Hamilton is no longer making the Cayman Sun Reflectors anymore. Somebody said they bought the last two. Can anybody confirm with Dave what’s going on.? Will Hamilton no longer carry anything under 20x20?

 

[sgrosenb]

I wish it was 2008 and we could buy all of this stuff anywhere, any time.... Does anyone know if the IceCap LuxCore 150w-250w electric ballast will power and run DE bulbs in a Cayman Sun Reflector? I am considering the DE Phoenix 14k or the DE Hamilton 20k.

 

[xtian]

I wish it was 2008 and we could buy all of this stuff anywhere, any time.... Does anyone know if the IceCap LuxCore 150w-250w electric ballast will power and run DE bulbs in a Cayman Sun Reflector? I am considering the DE Phoenix 14k or the DE Hamilton 20k.

It will and it should be plug and play without modifying connectors.