Radium metal halide bulbs will not be produced anymore!

[SpSDrew]

Radium’s website says “active” production again?

 

[A. grandis]

Yes, they finally believed me about the growing demand!!!
Both 250W and 400W are active at the moment.
I checked 2 weeks ago and they were absent from the website.
This thread might be the main reason why they are producing the bulbs again!! It's so satisfying to see our efforts recognized at last!
We shall continue letting them know how much we want halides available!

 

[Madison Reef]

I use 400w radiums with an eballast and they light just fine, tons of par. Switched the noisy ballast fans to quiet same sized ones. Actually haven’t changed the bulbs for maybe 5 years. Sanjay had plotted bulb par vs hours and after a while the par seemed to barely decrease. Don’t know about the spectrum but the sps seem happy and look great.

5...... years !?!?!? wow I thought ballasts last 5 years not bulbs lol. 400 w radium would be nice but probably too much for 75 gallon. Also, 400w version last shorter than 250w (? please correct me if I am wrong) I suppose I can try lumatek electronic ballast for 400w radium (and come up with an excuse to get a larger tank!

The ballasts originally not designed for Radiums are called electronic ballasts, not "electric ballasts". You can use electronic ballasts with Radiums. They run them a bit differently and will alter the spectrum to the bluer side. Some electronic ballasts are better designed and with better quality materials than others. They are not the original recommended ballasts, nor something to replace what the original magnetic ballasts would offer, but they are usable. I used electronic ballasts with German bulbs for years. They are not the OPTIMAL, but acceptable.

Hey, we can only hunt with what we have! If no dogs, get a cat, LOL!

Sorry about my poor English and thank you for pointing out.
I believe it was galaxy brand that worked well with radium 250w? How about lumatek?

How often do you change your radium bulbs with electronic ballasts?

Radium’s website says “active” production again?

Hmmm..... interesting since I asked them few weeks ago regarding discontinuation of production and I was redirected to the American company that is mentioned in this thread. I just sent them another email. Fingers crossed. If this is true, I will (first cry out of joy) stock up radium and hunt for M80.

 

[A. grandis]

5...... years !?!?!? wow I thought ballasts last 5 years not bulbs lol. 400 w radium would be nice but probably too much for 75 gallon. Also, 400w version last shorter than 250w (? please correct me if I am wrong) I suppose I can try lumatek electronic ballast for 400w radium (and come up with an excuse to get a larger tank!

Sorry about my poor English and thank you for pointing out.
I believe it was galaxy brand that worked well with radium 250w? How about lumatek?

How often do you change your radium bulbs with electronic ballasts?

Hmmm..... interesting since I asked them few weeks ago regarding discontinuation of production and I was redirected to the American company that is mentioned in this thread. I just sent them another email. Fingers crossed. If this is true, I will (first cry out of joy) stock up radium and hunt for M80.

Depends...
Radium 400W, for example, will have an average nominal lifespan of ~4000 hours of use, per Radium.
It will depend on how many hours a day you are using the lamp.
4000 / 8 hours a day = 500 days.
500 days / 30 = ~16 months
We normally change every 12 months when using 8 hours a day.
It's an average, and it will have variables, not so significant.
The rule of thumb is 12 months using 8 hours a day.
If used for only 4 hours a day with supplementation, like T5s, it should last 2 years, no problem.

The average nominal lifespan for the 250W Radium is even higher, almost double, at ~7500 hours, per Radium. So about a year an a half to 2 years, using 8 hours a day...

There is a change in spectrum after a year or so using 8 hours a day. That is not a big deal. The intensity is pretty much maintained. Those qualities are specially balanced when used with the recommended magnetic ballasts. We see a bluer hue since the beginning when using with electronic ballasts.

It is very hard to miss out using halides!!! I used bulbs for many years and if they are still on, they are still on! You will see your corals amazingly growing, very colorful, even if the bulbs past due the changing period, using the lamps for yeas to come. The main thing we need to keep in mind is that when we change bulbs we should diminish the hours and increase the photoperiod very slowly to avoid any damages. It's common sense.

There is a tip to know when the bulbs are getting too old... the arc starts to get darker and darker. That shows the time to change is very near and to maintain the quality it should be changed!

Gotta love this bulb!!!!

 

[Yanir34]

All I can say is that you can trust the company!
It's a new company that will take over the market with the same quality Hamilton had.

Where can I find good reflectors, gor MH bulbs ?

 

[jda]

Did anybody confirm with Radium that they are making these again? When I called them last year, they were adamant that they bulb would not disappear from the market, but did not want to indicate that THEY would be making them anymore. I would get a confirmation. Perhaps they changed their mind... there are no restrictions on them to stop and they are in business to make money.

I have likely said this before, but nearly every German speaks english if you can figure out how to make a call to German and have an international mobile phone plan.

Most aquarium MH bulbs are fine for 2 years if you don't mind the diminished output. Some hold up better than others. If you want peak performance, then I would change them on manufacturers schedule... except for Phoenix where 2 years seems to be schedule. Dude used to take my old bulbs and run them until they burnt out on his fish, mushrooms, xenia and colt coral tank... worked fine for him.

 

[Madison Reef]

Did anybody confirm with Radium that they are making these again? When I called them last year, they were adamant that they bulb would not disappear from the market, but did not want to indicate that THEY would be making them anymore. I would get a confirmation. Perhaps they changed their mind... there are no restrictions on them to stop and they are in business to make money.

I have likely said this before, but nearly every German speaks english if you can figure out how to make a call to German and have an international mobile phone plan.

Most aquarium MH bulbs are fine for 2 years if you don't mind the diminished output. Some hold up better than others. If you want peak performance, then I would change them on manufacturers schedule... except for Phoenix where 2 years seems to be schedule. Dude used to take my old bulbs and run them until they burnt out on his fish, mushrooms, xenia and colt coral tank... worked fine for him.

Hi @jda, I learned a lot about MH from you. I can't express how thankful I am with your knowledge.
I sent an email directly to Radium since I do not like talking on the phone and my English is horrible to say the least lol.
Here is the good news!

"thanks for your inquiry, we herewith confirm company decision to continue also with the 250W type"

 

[Madison Reef]

We need grab all MH people and ask them to send an email (or better, phone call) to different bulb companies to show that we are still interested in this technology. In the email, Radium did not state the reason for making this decision tho.

 

[Troylee]

Hi @jda, I learned a lot about MH from you. I can't express how thankful I am with your knowledge.
I sent an email directly to Radium since I do not like talking on the phone and my English is horrible to say the least lol.
Here is the good news!

"thanks for your inquiry, we herewith confirm company decision to continue also with the 250W type"

Awesome! Guess I’m gonna need to find some single ended reflectors soon! Running dual ended currently.

 

[Z Burn's Reefing]

Hi @jda, I learned a lot about MH from you. I can't express how thankful I am with your knowledge.
I sent an email directly to Radium since I do not like talking on the phone and my English is horrible to say the least lol.
Here is the good news!

"thanks for your inquiry, we herewith confirm company decision to continue also with the 250W type"

Fantastic! Best day ever!!

 

[A. grandis]

I contacted them last night and Holger told me they will be sending them to Aqua Bright Solutions. So, if anyone wants the Radium, that's the way to get them. And the price is more than fair for a bulb that we were thinking it was be gone forever!!!!!!!
Here is the last email I exchanged with them:

"thanks and good to know, good luck furthermore with our Radium products.



Best regards / Meilleures Salutations / Mit freundlichen Grüßen


Holger Gödtke

Radium Lampenwerk GmbH
Radium Export"

Metal halide users just can't allow the LED propaganda to definitively remove metal halide technology from our hobby! We should be able, by right, to use whatever we want to improve the maintenance of the organisms we keep!
I sent multiple emails to Radium explaining the big mistake their decision to stop their lamp production was. I explained that the ban was ONLY for lamps out of a specialized category. To the point they told me it was "not possible anymore to make them anymore" (they wanted to get rid of me. Ha!). I'm glad they finally realized the importance and the demand for this bulb!!!!!!
It's a big win for us. We just have to advance in the territory!
Let's keep pushing our right to have halides back in the market with it's full bright power!
We should also keep asking Ushio to bring back the 250W 14K for us!
If anyone has access to Phoenix, please contact them!
Nobody else cares for what we appreciate and know what halides can do!
Power to the KING of lights!

 

[A. grandis]

Where can I find good reflectors, gor MH bulbs ?

Still only Giesemann and ReefBrite, besides what you can get used and horticulture gear. Hopefully that's going to change soon, IF demand really grows to the point they need to invest in production!!!
Giesemann is a great fixture combining halides and T5s, my favoite. I'm not sure why not many people pull the trigger to invest in a fixture like that. It will last forever. Has a tremendous spread for what it is and the T5s are a real nice bonus in a very sleek nice design. We should be so glad they are still producing that fixture!!!

 

[Yanir34]

I contacted them last night and Holger told me they will be sending them to Aqua Bright Solutions. So, if anyone wants the Radium, that's the way to get them. And the price is more than fai for a bulb that we were thinking it was be gone foever!!!!!!!
Here is the last email I exchanged with them:

"thanks and good to know, good luck furthermore with our Radium products.



Best regards / Meilleures Salutations / Mit freundlichen Grüßen


Holger Gödtke

Radium Lampenwerk GmbH
Radium Export"

Metal halide users just can't allow the LED propaganda to definitively remove metal halide technology from our hobby! We should be able, by right, to use whatever we want to improve the maintenance of the organisms we keep!
I sent multiple emails to Radium explaining the big mistake their decision to stop their lamp production was. I explained that the ban was ONLY for lamps out of a specialized category. To the point they told me it was "not possible anymore" (they wanted to get rid of me. Ha!) to make them anymore. I'm glad they finally realized the importance and the demand for this bulb!!!!!!
It's a big win for us. We just have to advance in the territory!
Let's keep pushing our right to have halides back in the market with it's full bright power!
We should also keep asking Ushio to bring back the 250W 14K for us!
If anyone has access to Phoenix, please contact them!
Nobody else cares for what we appreciate and know what halides can do!
Power to the KING of lights!

That's great news !!!
someone here have email address of aqua light solutions?
also , where the hell can I buy good ballast to operate this bulbs ?

 

[A. grandis]

That's great news !!!
someone here have email address of aqua light solutions?
also , where the hell can I buy good ballast to operate this bulbs ?

AQUA BRIGHT SOLUTIONS

Supplier of high quality aquarium products

aquabrightsolutions.com

They have the lamps coming soon, but Radiums are available now.
They need real demand to make all that ballast/ fixtures to happen, my dear.

 

[Backreefing]

Anyone got Phoenix email? And does radium bulbs come in double ended ?

 

[Madison Reef]

I contacted them last night and Holger told me they will be sending them to Aqua Bright Solutions. So, if anyone wants the Radium, that's the way to get them. And the price is more than fair for a bulb that we were thinking it was be gone forever!!!!!!!
Here is the last email I exchanged with them:

"thanks and good to know, good luck furthermore with our Radium products.



Best regards / Meilleures Salutations / Mit freundlichen Grüßen


Holger Gödtke

Radium Lampenwerk GmbH
Radium Export"

Metal halide users just can't allow the LED propaganda to definitively remove metal halide technology from our hobby! We should be able, by right, to use whatever we want to improve the maintenance of the organisms we keep!
I sent multiple emails to Radium explaining the big mistake their decision to stop their lamp production was. I explained that the ban was ONLY for lamps out of a specialized category. To the point they told me it was "not possible anymore to make them anymore" (they wanted to get rid of me. Ha!). I'm glad they finally realized the importance and the demand for this bulb!!!!!!
It's a big win for us. We just have to advance in the territory!
Let's keep pushing our right to have halides back in the market with it's full bright power!
We should also keep asking Ushio to bring back the 250W 14K for us!
If anyone has access to Phoenix, please contact them!
Nobody else cares for what we appreciate and know what halides can do!
Power to the KING of lights!

Seriously hats off to you for your help! What a victory for us, devoted metal halide users.

I also got a reply from Radium confirming ABS is their business partner. It is not just a random person who stock up bulbs to make profit, but rather a legit business. I was trying to directly import (and stock up) from the Radium company, and this is where I was redirected by Radium company.

Phoenix is a Japanese company right? There is another American company named Phoenix lighting.

 

[Madison Reef]

Anyone got Phoenix email? And does radium bulbs come in double ended ?

I'm trying to find their contact. If you found their email or phone number, please share with us so we can convince them to be back in the game! I believe Radium bulbs only come in single ended for aquarium purpose. They do however make double ended bulbs but I have not seen people using double ended radium bulbs for aquarium. Do not quote on me, I am new to MH.

 

[Troylee]

I'm trying to find their contact. If you found their email or phone number, please share with us so we can convince them to be back in the game! I believe Radium bulbs only come in single ended for aquarium purpose. They do however make double ended bulbs but I have not seen people using double ended radium bulbs for aquarium. Do not quote on me, I am new to MH.

Back in the day they made 150w double ended I believe.. radium has never produced a 250w hqi bulb to this day! It would be nice to say the least as I run phoenix 14k and its non existent now ugh… I have a few bulbs left and will check the packaging today if there’s any contact info for Phoenix out of Japan.

 

[Troylee]

Don’t see a email but they’re still open and in business.. has a phone number.

PHOENIX Electric, a Lighting Science Company

www.phoenix-elec.co.jp

 

[jda]

Radium has not made DE bulbs for more than a decade.

Phoenix Electric Company in Japan has contact info on their website with form-based inquiry. I asked them and they would not either confirm nor deny that they would make bulbs again... they have made batches before with supply valleys before new ones came out. There are no laws preventing them either. I asked them a follow up and they never wrote me back.