Radium 20K for 20" Sunpod

[ronone10]

I was in the store today to have my water checked and was talking to (don't know his name, sorry) about the halide bulbs used in the frag tank (behind the large reef display tank). I believe he said they were 20k bulbs and was wondering if they are the Radium bulbs? Anyway, I liked how the bulb really showed off the corals. I was planning to replace the stock Current bulb with the Phoenix to get the more blues but now I am thinking about the Radium.

Have you tried the Phoenix, which do you prefer? Do you carry the Radium 20k 150w for the Sunpod?

Thanks...Ron

 

[barrierreefcf]

Hi,

We can get that Radium with about 5 days lead time. I think they are around 89.99. The bulbs you saw on the frag tank were 20K helios. In the 150W DE we have 14k Pheonix, 20K Coralvue, and 20K Helios in stock right now. All three work well and we are using the Helios on our Elos tank up front. We have used the Coralvue and obviously the Helios and had great results with both. Most of the feedback on the Pheonix and Radium has been good as well but we don't have first hand knowledge. If it was me, and budget wasn't an issue, I'd either get the radium or the helios. If you want a great bulb with a little savings get the Coralvue or the Pheonix. Helios will be the worst as far as warranty issues while coralvue is great. I haven't had to deal with radium or pheonix on warranty issues yet (we haven't sold that many) so I couldn't tell you there.

Hope this helps!

 

[ronone10]

Cy,

Thanks for the quick reply. I decided to go for the Radium 20k. I will give you a call today. Also, when are you getting the Elos Alkalinity and Magnesium test kits?

Ron

 

[barrierreefcf]

Hi Ron,

They shipped from California monday so they should be here any day.

Thanks!

 

[ronone10]

Cy,

I picked up my Radium 150W today and I have to first ask if I have the correct bulb. The reason I am wondering is the box reads HRI-TS 150 W Radium, RX7s-24 Blue. What does HRI stand for? From what I see online, shouldn't it say HQI (high quality iodide) instead of HRI? Also, I was expecting to see more blue color shift but it just doesn't look like what I you have at your store (20k bulbs), what others have described or from the images I see online.

Well, I did more searching online and found this thread from someone with a defective Radium. They compared model numbers and it does match what I have down to the bar code, 4008597121685. Can you please confirm anyway that the bulb is the right one. I will let it burn in some more. It sure is bright for a 20k. Thanks...Ron

http://209.85.173.132/search?q=cach...n&ct=clnk&cd=2&gl=us&lr=lang_en&client=safari

 

[barrierreefcf]

Hi Ron,

Marine Depot has a picture of the exact same packaging with HRI on it. I'm sure this is the correct bulb. All 20K's run different and DE 20's are usually much less blue than SE's. The 150w DE Helios 20K we run on the Elos is about as Blue as I've seen and keep in mind that it has 4x24w Blue T-5's supplementing it. Also, what ballast are you using? Most Electronic and Pulse Start Ballasts will run the Radium more blue than others. I believe the Sunpod uses an electronic ballast but i'm not sure about that or their quality and ability to drive these bulbs as blue as possible. I'm a little confused about what I am supposed to see at the link you posted. It just confirms that the lamp code is supposed to include HRI. I have a few guesses as to what it specifically stands for but would have to confirm it with the manufacturer. Probably refers to its color rendition or a European specification though. HQI is a term that is thrown around a little loosely and doesn't really refer to what Osram originally used it for. Many folks call any double ended bulb an "HQI". If you check a few lighting sites you will see that this is the bulb you wanted. Many show the HRI in the product code and even if they don't its the same product.

Here is link that explains a lot about this. While it doesn't directly answer the question about HRI it does explain a lot about bulbs and ballasts.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-03/sj/index.php

If you are unhappy and want to try something else I am more than happy to sell you something else for our cost. Maybe you could recoup your money by selling this bulb to someone? With any regularly stocked bulb we give our customers a couple days with a bulb to make sure they like the color. If they don't, we allow an exchange I can't do this with a special order bulb though

Hope this helps and feel free to contact me at the store or through PM so that we can work towards a lighting solution you are happy with! Maybe you could even bring the SunPod in and we could try the Helios, Pheonix 14K (probably the most blue for the buck), and Coralvue on it, to see if you like one of these better.

 

[ronone10]

Cy, thanks for the reply and the options. They are fair and i am not worried about you not taking care of your customers. I am worried about me spending more money...LOL. I like the idea of bringing in the Sunpod. I am booked this weekend but I will call you to arrange a time to bring it in.

Thanks again and time to get some rest (that means you too)... Ron

Yes, the Sunpod is electronic... The link was my first attempt to confirm I have to right bulb...sorry for the confusion....

 

[ronone10]

Cy, just want to say the Radium is starting to settle in nicely now and I like the overall color. Sorry for being noisy and I appreciate you helping out.

Ron