Coralvue or Radium

[Doug]

Down to two choices for the lighting over my cube.

1. Coralvue electronic ballast w/dimming capability, {good for acclimatizing}, 250w 12K Reeflux bulb & Lumenarc pendant.

2. PFO HQI ballast, 250w radium, PFO pendant. {Steve,s suggestion, }

Thats it. Although I still look at this nice 150w HQI plus normal actinics down at the store. I still say it looks brighter than most 250w bulbs over 10K.

Thoughts or experience,s welcome.

[mr_alberta]

I really liked the Radium, HQI ballast with Lumenarc pendant. I ran two of them over my previous tank. Absolutely loved the look. I also think Radiums look way better on an HQI ballast vs Electronic.

[Doug]

I was thinking of the PFO pendant w/the Radium, as it quick connect matches the ballast. Could use the Lumenac though.

Only reason for considering the 12K Reeflux, is I read they run their best on the CV electronic and give a really good par rating. I,m still looking for where I found that.

[Stones]

I'm currently running two Radium 250 watt 20K's on a PFO HQI ballast and am rather pleased with the overall colour. In my opinion, its more like a 15K colour temp than 20K but I seem to get better growth out of the radiums than with any other 20K I've tried in the past.

[Doug]

Do you get a decent bulb life with the 250,s & HQI ?

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by Doug

Do you get a decent bulb life with the 250,s & HQI ?

Doug, the HQI ballast in a 250 will actualy give you better life than a probe start ballast and about the same as a pulse start.

Steve