Recommendations on Metal halide bulbs

[underwood]

Hey everyone,

So, I’m currently running Radium 20ks over my tank, and while they are nice, they might be a little too purple/ blue for my liking. Can anybody recommend a bulb similar to the XM 10k. I know this bulb has been discontinued, but was wondering if anybody knew of something similar.

I have two new XM 10ks that got stuck in the back of a closet years ago for a project that never ended up happening. Willing to cut you a deal... :face-with-tears-of-joy:

 

[minus9]

Im wondering Have you ever had issues with that specific bulb lighting constantly. I purchased that bulb along with
the bali sun fixture and a 250 watt dimmable Hamilton technology electronic ballast. I have been through 2 bulbs now where I'm having an issue with the bulb firing constantly. For the first few weeks the bulb will fire fine then it will not fire at the desired time that I have it set at sometimes it takes 10 min to fire others and hour. The first bulb I received did the same thing and fired well for about a week then the bulb just wont fire at all. I'm either lead to believe that this style bulb isn't any good or the ballast isn't any good. I have tried reseating the bulb checking all connections within the fixture. I'm at a point where i think I'm going to purchase an icecap ballast or go led.
I love metal halide bulbs and really don't want to switch but this is annoying. The only other thing I can think of
doing is switching to a different brand bulb to see if I get the same results. I'm ether going to go with a Reefbrite bulb or a Radion bulb. any help would be appreciated

No issues with my bulbs and I’m using the RB electronic ballasts. I would suspect that the ballasts are the issue. Bulbs either work or they don’t, at least that’s been my experience.

 

[Jwill1316]

No issues with my bulbs and I’m using the RB electronic ballasts. I would suspect that the ballasts are the issue. Bulbs either work or they don’t, at least that’s been my experience.

ok thats what I was thinking I have the ballast set to run off a neptune apex and its hit and miss the bulbs just dont fire on time as they should it shouldnt take 30 min or more to fire

 

[minus9]

ok thats what I was thinking I have the ballast set to run off a neptune apex and its hit and miss the bulbs just dont fire on time as they should it shouldnt take 30 min or more to fire

If it’s being controlled via 0-10v then that can be the issue? Mine are powered by an EB8 on a basic timer program. 0-10v on the other hand has given me issues in the past, so I’m not a fan of controlling lights this way. With simple technologies like halides or even LED bars, it’s simple on/off for me.

 

[Jwill1316]

If it’s being controlled via 0-10v then that can be the issue? Mine are powered by an EB8 on a basic timer program. 0-10v on the other hand has given me issues in the past, so I’m not a fan of controlling lights this way. With simple technologies like halides or even LED bars, it’s simple on/off for me.

 

[Jwill1316]

Ok ill have to check but I don't beleive that the ballast that Hamilton makes is controlled by that I'll have to check and see im wondering if is maybe the Neptune apex power strip just isn't allowing enough power to fire the bulb

 

[xabo]

Have you tried firing the bulb with the ballast plugged into an electrical outlet?

 

[minus9]

Also, the EB8 should be fine, but if it’s the newer EB832, then maybe? Also, try and find a different ballast if you can?

 

[jmichaelh7]

Ushios, all day every day. 10k accented with actinic and super blue t5's or 14k with fiji purple t5s and blue LED accents

Ushios with electronic ballast ?

 

[A. grandis]

Ushios with electronic ballast ?

E-ballasts will run most bulbs.
Some e-ballats, like the Luxcore or similar newer Chinese ballasts, will make the Ushio bulbs to flicker sometimes. Ushio bulbs should be on manufacturers' specs IMHO for optimal performance in the long run.
But yeah, I've used 250W Ushios on e-ballasts for years. Not the best! After a while they will start to act funny. Radiums and Ushio bulbs should run on specs IMHO. Most German bulbs should be used accordingly to their specs.
Chinese bulbs can go with Chinese ballasts.
ReefBrite bulbs will run better with their own ballasts too, I heard!
Compatibility is important in any case.

 

[Screwloose]

I have 3 radium 250w se 20k.

One has not been firing so I’ve swapped the, out firmly backups which are 10k blv. Look almost yellow without my t5 supplement.

I’m looking for new bulbs, 14-20k maybe not as blue as radium as I want a bit more growth, but unfortunately in the UK, there isn’t a lot of choice.

The Phoenix sounds a great bulb but not abovailable here,,,

All I can find is coral vie, radium again or blv, although I can also find a 20k blv .

 

[A. grandis]

I have 3 radium 250w se 20k.

One has not been firing so I’ve swapped the, out firmly backups which are 10k blv. Look almost yellow without my t5 supplement.

I’m looking for new bulbs, 14-20k maybe not as blue as radium as I want a bit more growth, but unfortunately in the UK, there isn’t a lot of choice.

The Phoenix sounds a great bulb but not abovailable here,,,

All I can find is coral vie, radium again or blv, although I can also find a 20k blv .

Just get another Radium then. Why would you get a different bulb?

BLV bulbs are great bulbs!!!!!
The Hamilton 20K is very similar to the Radium in appearance, if you're able to find them somewhere.
I won't be surprised if new metal halide companies would emerge in 2024 with the demand growing each day that goes by!
We need lamps, ballasts, and fixtures!!!!

 

[Screwloose]

Just get another Radium then. Why would you get a different bulb?

BLV bulbs are great bulbs!!!!!
The Hamilton 20K is very similar to the Radium in appearance, if you're able to find them somewhere.
I won't be surprised if new metal halide companies would emerge in 2024 with the demand growing each day that goes by!
We need lamps, ballasts, and fixtures!!!!

I would need 3, they are 12 months old, so although I don’t run hard I would change all 3.

I have Geisemann spectra 3x250w, with 4x80, using generic digital ballast.

I've gone for 20k blv to give them a try, will be here tomorrow

 

[NC Jim]

Greeting R2R community, reviving an old thread.

I have always loved the look of metal halide and recently found out Reef Brite makes new fixtures. I am truly excited to get that classic look on my tank, but have found bulb selection to be, as I expected, thin. Has anyone tried the reef brite bulbs? I would prefer a 10k bulb, since I also have LED bars, but am open to anything in the 10-14k range. Are there any other currently available bulbs I should look at? Many of the classics seem to be no longer with us (R.I.P. Iwasaki.)

 

[xabo]

Have you tried: https://aquabrightsolutions.com/

 

[NC Jim]

I have not heard of this brand, has anyone used them before? They have good prices though and the right color temp for me, thanks!

 

[xabo]

The owners are former employees of Hamilton.

 

[X-37B]

Ushio 10K
Radium 20K
Both available
I have both in 400 watt

 

[RedoubtReef]

The owners are former employees of Hamilton.

that's good to know! Looks like a great price on the 250w 20K. Thanks for posting that.

 

[NC Jim]

Ushio 10K
Radium 20K
Both available
I have both in 400 watt

I sent Ushio a message and got ghosted, do you know where I may be able to purchase the 10k 250 watt bulbs? I searched all over the internet and cannot seem to find their aquarium bulbs anywhere.