[montepora]

Perry:

I have three questions for you, TIA.

1) Can I use the PFO HQI ballast to fire up the Sunburst?? Would this shorten the bulb's life??

2) What is your opinion on the Radium 250 watter???

3) 250 Ushio 10 K on the PFO, is this a good choice?? I read in the other site about your feed back on the built in ignitor, what is the negativity on that??


To everyone,

anyone of you use the 250W Radium?? Can you post your feedback and pic??? I am thinking abuot supplement the tank with 4 55W 10K PC. What do you guys think??

[PerryinCA]

1) Yes, and a probable yes for the 400w, and possible but not as likely for the 250w.

2)good lamp for supplementation, but as with the 400w, I don't like it alone. Far too blue for me, but it will grow coral. When used in conjunction with 10k, or lower kelvin lamps, it can provide a great effect, and great coloration, without being an operating room blue look, or loss of growth too much.

3)Thats a good combo. The ignitor can only increase the lamp life with this lamp if it has any effect at all.

Hope this helps!

-Perry
Sunlight Supply, Inc.

[golfish]

Perry,
No way am I disagreeing here but are you sure about the Sunburst running on an HQI ballast. I was under the impression that even if it worked it would blow the bulb. I've used em but never tried it on an HQI ballast.

[montepora]

Perry,

Thanx for the reply. This is what I am thinking right now, I hope you can also pitch in your opinion.

1) WIth 250W Radium, I agree with you that to use it alone, it will be too blue. Since I have four 55W PC, if I run the Radium with 4 55W 10K PC, would this be a good combo? The Radium's life would be shorter with the HQI, is this correct?? Say like 8 months bulb life instead of the 10 to 12 months?? Am I right on this part??


2) Ushio 10K, So if I use this bulb on the HQI, I would get the normal bulb life 10-12 months, right?? I am currently using the AB 10K and even with 4 55W actinics, I still feel it is too yellow for my taste, that is why I am thinking of using the Radium. What is your opinion on this combo?? 2 Ushio 10Ks with 4 55W 71K actinics??

I have a 120G tank with mostly SPS corals. Thanx again.

[reefhead]

sounds like a nice combo.

i run a sunlight supply 400w Radium setup, after several months of breaking in, its not that blue. i will be adding some 03 actinics from Philips soon for a little more flouresents at night.


i have a 54g corner with custom hood for this one bulb system.

[montepora]

THanx for the reply Reefhead.

I went with the Ushio and actinic combo. I am running the Ushio 250W 10 on a PFO HQI ballast. I am still waiting for Perry's reply. Perry, where are you?????

[PerryinCA]

)

Ushio 10K, So if I use this bulb on the HQI, I would get the normal bulb life 10-12 months, right?? I am currently using the AB 10K and even with 4 55W actinics, I still feel it is too yellow for my taste, that is why I am thinking of using the Radium. What is your opinion on this combo?? 2 Ushio 10Ks with 4 55W 71K actinics??

Normal life - Yes

That should be an effective combo. The 400w HQI is the only one I have any reason to believe would shorten the lamp life. The 250 should work perfectly fine, and contrary to popular beliefe won't overdrive the lamp.

Mark - I highly doubt it. The lamp may malfunction with the 430w ballast because its not as well made as say a Radium, but the 250w should work ok. I have not tested it, so I won't say for sure, but based on what I have experienced from other asian lamps, I don't foresee any huge problems like explosions happening commonly.

-Perry
Sunlight Supply

[montepora]

Perry:

I got the Ushio bulbs today and I examed the bulbs closely and see that there is little dust like residue in the bulb. I heards this for the radium but is it the same for Ushio as well???

Also, the Panasonic Power Compact bulbs when lifted, I can hear this clinking sound as if something is running inside the light tube,, is this normal also??? Thank you.

[PerryinCA]

The lamp is fine (the MH that is) residue and small glass shards are common. As to the PC's, I don't mess with them a whole lot, but I don't believe there should be anything floating around making noise in there. Try it out and see if it works.

-Perry

[montepora]

Thanx Perry. Yes, everyhting is fine and the PC lamps all work as well. Once again, I am happy with the combo.