Opinions on 20K MH for SPS

[sleeri]

I'm considering switching from 14K to 20K for my 250W MH fixture (2 bulbs over a 75G). I'm just starting to keep SPS (birds nest, millepora, a couple other acros). Looking for lots of color. Slower growth doesn't really bother me. The 14K phoenix bulbs have been fine, but I'm not seeing enough blue. I do have an option for PC accent lighting, but I'm not running them right now. Any thoughts on using 20K MH for SPS?

[David Grigor]

14k phoenix are really blue already. Can't imagine wanting even more blue.

20K Radium are my bulb of choice ( however they aren't even as blue as whay you have ) wide range or corals and colors do very well with this bulb. I only have had experience with single ended. Not even sure if they offer a DE bulb or not.

[Fragtastic Reef]

DE is not available in 250watt. Radiums are hard to get right now having problems importing them in. But they are my bulb of choice also. There is new bulbs available also listed on my website and are getting great reviews also.

[kjdeut]

I have 14k 250de and have some great growth and color. Tried 20k some time back and didn't like the look.

Ken

[jjwhiteboy]

Led suppliment? I have seen some nice tanks with stunner strips.

[reef.saltwater]

I love 250 radium on my tank. If you really want to see some nice coral color and want to enjoy tank in the night, add just two stunners. You forget all your day, morning, evening lights. I just love stunners.
If you want to see them in person, come over and have a look.:beerchug:

[sleeri]

Anyone tried the XM 20K? Heard anything good about it?

[David Grigor]

I've run the 20K 400w SE XMs. Do okay but too blue for me. Radium was a much nicer all around colors. Trouble with too blue for me is yellow looks green and pink looks more purple. So I prefer more of an ice-white to get a better varierty of colors.

[Vertical]

Just coming back to the hobby/addiction. I use to run nothing but 400w 20k XMs on magnetic ballasts and loved the color. That is what I am running now, but on electronic ballast and it is almost too white for me, almost looks like a hint of pink in it also. Granted things seem to be coloring up nicely, but I have only been running it about a month now. Needless to say after this bulb is used up I will probable switch to a 400w Radium. Side by Side on electronic ballast anyway I like the Radium much better.

Casey

[sleeri]

Thanks for the XM input. Man, wish Radium had a DE version in 250w. Everyone seems to have a lot of good things to say about them. I ended up going for another round with 14K phoenix bulbs due to price. Found a great deal online at one of the "big name" dealers. $104 for 2 bulbs including shipping. Guess I'll try the 20Ks next time if these don't work out.