250W MH XM bulbs Mogul base

[ben&bobbi]

looking for a pair of used 15K

i'm currently checking a pair of 10K, thanks Jason!

now i want to look at 15K before ordering new bulbs!

after getting a different set, i will pass the 10K on to someone who wants to check them out for shipping cost. they are about 20 months old - good enough for quick color check.

also have a pair of 20K if someone want to check those out too!
Thanks
Ben

 

[ben&bobbi]

also, if you have a usable pair of 10K that you would like to sell, send me price!

I also have some 4' VHO actinics and super whites if you might want to try them.

Ben

 

[jay24k]

From what I've seen Ben, the 15K aren't much bluer and their par is horrible. You would be better off with a 20K bulb.

 

[jy544]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8322413#post8322413 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jay24k
From what I've seen Ben, the 15K aren't much bluer and their par is horrible. You would be better off with a 20K bulb.

I agree....some studies say that 15k has less par than 20k bulbs.

 

[ben&bobbi]

Jason & jy544, i haven't checked into them at all, so thanks fo the info.

My tank is looking a little yellow. i can only figure 2 things. We are both running about the same light combo, but your tank still looks whiter / brighter. i don't have reflectors right now and the MH bulbs are a little old :eek1:. either that or someone in this conversation is experienced in photoshop!!! i almost want to say they are getting more yellow the longer i see them.

with the 20K and the actinics it's too blue. i thought about 2 super whites with the 2oK, but then i don't get the glow from the actinics! i have DIY ballasts, so i know my equipment isn't top shelf, but shouldn't be that bad either.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8322413#post8322413 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jay24k
From what I've seen Ben, the 15K aren't much bluer and their par is horrible. You would be better off with a 20K bulb.

 

[jay24k]

Without actinics, it is a slightly yellow bulb but not much. Adding actinics give it a nice crisp white color. I honestly didn't see much of a change. What ballast are you running?

A few people have visited my tank here (AJ and DAWYN) and they can attest my tank has 0 yellow at all. If you are truly looking for a bluer bulb, you might want to go with either 400 watt 20K, 14K phoenix DE bulbs, or some of the other lower par choices. It all depends if growth is important to you or not.

Hope that helps.

 

[ben&bobbi]

i was only kidding about the photoshoping! I have no doubt the dozens of pics i have of your tank are real - i would love to see it myself! that's why i keep trying to reproduce it!

after diggin the info back up on the ballast i got, here's what i found. this is the MH ballasts. The VHO's are on a Icecap 660.

http://catalog.graybar.com/servlet/BugsEye

Category
Ballast, Mercury Vapor - Core and Coil
Mfg Name Advance Transformer
Mfg Part Num 71A3572001D
Graybar ID 88305276
Description Lamp Ballasts, Mercury, 250 Watt, 120/208/240/277 Volt, KIT, HID
Long Description No further information is available for this product.
Features Replacement Kit
Input Voltage 120/208/240/277 VAC
Lamp Wattage 50 Watt
Number of Lamps 1-Lamp

one thing that just hit me is the lamp wattage. Sounds like my light is only burning at 50w?? I know when i called Advance Transformer, i told them what i wanted, and this is what i ended up with.

i plan to stay with the 10K XM, just wanted to see what the 15k looked like.

my canopy is "lined" with a flat piece of stainless steel on the top only and all bulbs bolted to the lid at same level.

what ballast are you running? reflectors? if you want to take this off to pm, that is fine with me.

 

[jy544]

pm sent

 

[ben&bobbi]

after reading this thread,
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/s...threadid=201570
it seems i am fighting the wrong ballast all this time, i have a mercury vapor ballast and should have got a electronic ballast. i emailed the originator and waiting for his reply.

 

[jay24k]

I use icecap and they are rock solid. Magnetics are good too but generally overdrive the bulb. Btw your package will be going out today.

 

[ben&bobbi]

got home and pulled the ballast box apart, looks to be a little different!

US Ballast DEL-00145
1-250W M58/H37
Reg Auto 60hz
listed several volts inputs.....

the receipt had the other info on it, guess they substituted me a different ballast.

the guy i pm'ed cam back and said the first one was wrong, but i will see what he says about the new info.

Jason,
i got the email about the shipping - can't wait! man the are sitting 1 hr from me!
but since we are talking about lights, my VHO's went out today - bad bulb!

 

[jay24k]

I know nothing on ballasts unfortunately so I'm not sure how they will fire bulbs different then others.