250 watt SE MH lamps compared

[paulpp187]

thank you so much for that info

 

[samsfishnchips]

thank you so much for that info

no problem :thumbsup:,

sam

 

[bradbury]

i'm keeping this thread on file, thanks all

 

[conspicman]

Just alittle FYI. Durring a lecture at the aquarium show today a speaker showed PAR measurements. The measurements show that the light production for a 400 20k is half that of a 400 65k. So for all of the people who advocate that the 20k bulbs are the best. They may want to reconsider there thoughts. In addition he showed the the majority of the 20k bulbs are really not 20k. They measure far higher on the kelvin scale.

 

[conspicman]

P.S. the 20k bulbs loose half of the light production after three months.

 

[RedEyeReef]

As a 20k bulb user I agree with all of that. That's why I run 400 watters, enjoy the color of my corals (better then my 10K days), and replace often.

 

[Pyrrhus]

P.S. the 20k bulbs loose half of the light production after three months.

funny you should say that, whenever i change a bulb everything seems to pop and really grow and color up, but after a few months it kinda gets bland, never really thought about it being the bulbs losing output that fast...skip

 

[magma01]

JB NY:
I'm deciding on a 250W retro setup between an EVC Tech and Icecap ballast. I came across your test results at http://www.cnidarianreef.com/lamps.cfm
and Sanjay's at http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/april2005/feature.html

In particular I looked the the results for the EVC 10000K bulb on those two ballasts. I find the numbers from Sanjay and you a little conflicting.

In yours results, the EVC10K on EVC balast draws less power and current than on Icecap, but in Sanjay's results the same bulb draws less power and current on the Icecap.

Have you noticed that discrepancy? Which ballast is uses less energy?

 

[JB NY]

I think it is a variance in the ballast manufacturing from EVC.

The reef fantic ballast is the same as the EVC ballast and they draw different current on Sanjay's results.

 

[NOLACLS]

Sooooo JB....how bout them 15k xm's...burned in yet? How they lookin...

 

[JB NY]

Real world work is holding me up. I'll have numbers and pictures up sometime late next week.

 

[NOLACLS]

I feel ya on the real world work...its keeping me from setting up my 280 She's just sittin on the floor...

 

[bronwync]

Wow, speaking of XM bulbs - i just switched to them. Holy Cow, it's Brighter!!!! I stayed with 10k bulbs, but the output is visibly and noticably higher.

 

[BraenDead]

Which of the ballasts would most closely resemble a standard M58 magnetic ballast?

Bob

 

[JB NY]

The PFO standard ballast is an M58 ballast.

 

[soondubu]

i have a m58 ballast
two 250w 10K bulbs (single ended) that need replacing

4 54w t5 actinics which also need replacing.

can you all please recommend a set that is good for the ballasts?

i didn't even know that there are different requirements for bulbs - self ignititng, probe, pulse, magnetic, electronic :wow:....
i just thought i have to pick a color and that's it!

 

[gatohoser]

You do Just pick anything but a radium and you're alright.

 

[soondubu]

so i don't have to worry about self ignition or other stuff?

which is the best brand anyway for 10K?

xm? ushio?

 

[gatohoser]

I really like the XM 10k and the blueline 10k superwhite (not the normal 10k)

 

[maestro]

I dont know if this has been asked before but Coralvue do a newish 14k bulb now, any chance that could be tested?