Giesemann Lighting Club.
- Thread starter precko
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loweryster
New member
Wow! I remember your tank. I actually still have some of your old photos. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with.
loweryster
New member
These are the 2 that I had
loweryster
New member
Fixing the images
moondoggy4
Team RC
megachrome
megachrome
What type of ballast does the 14.5k bulb use. I bought a couple of these bulbs, I do have a infinity 150 by the way.
megachrome
Been away for half a decade. Here's a couple pics for clicks. My old 20L mixed reef; Giesemann Nova II w/ 150w MegaChrome 14.5k. Sold it all to a good home.
Hoping to get back in the game here pretty soon!
What type of ballast does the 14.5k bulb use. I bought a couple of these bulbs, I do have a infinity 150 by the way.
JPMagyar
New member
Hey Mark,
I assume the reflectors used in the Matrix are the same ones used in the Spectra. Based on that assumption I can tell you that the PAR output on my pairs of bulbs in the Spectra is almost identical to the output that I had with pairs of lights on my Sfiligoi and more than the PAR output on my daughter's 24 inch ATI. Bottomline: I would feel comfortable that the Matrix would have plenty of available PAR. As to dimming I think it comes down to how often you are willing to change bulbs. I do not pretend my hobby is cheap so I am willing to buy new bulbs every six months to insure I always have the best PAR possible. My Spectra is obviously non-dimmable and I think I could go as long as 9 months before changing the bulbs but given the added heat they are suffering when the halides are running I feel six months is more my expectation. I have actually been meaning to take some PAR readings and write them down so I can compare them month to month. I'll try and do that tonight when the halides turn off.
I should also not that I am running Giesemann bulbs. I have opted for a crazy combo of Giesemann actinic and Giesemann pink. I really like the color and my corals are becoming insanely beautiful in a short period of time. Planning on a decent set of photos very soon
Hey Mark,
I assume the reflectors used in the Matrix are the same ones used in the Spectra. Based on that assumption I can tell you that the PAR output on my pairs of bulbs in the Spectra is almost identical to the output that I had with pairs of lights on my Sfiligoi and more than the PAR output on my daughter's 24 inch ATI. Bottomline: I would feel comfortable that the Matrix would have plenty of available PAR. As to dimming I think it comes down to how often you are willing to change bulbs. I do not pretend my hobby is cheap so I am willing to buy new bulbs every six months to insure I always have the best PAR possible. My Spectra is obviously non-dimmable and I think I could go as long as 9 months before changing the bulbs but given the added heat they are suffering when the halides are running I feel six months is more my expectation. I have actually been meaning to take some PAR readings and write them down so I can compare them month to month. I'll try and do that tonight when the halides turn off.
I should also not that I am running Giesemann bulbs. I have opted for a crazy combo of Giesemann actinic and Giesemann pink. I really like the color and my corals are becoming insanely beautiful in a short period of time. Planning on a decent set of photos very soon
You are the man. Thanks for the detailed explanation. I think I will opt for the dimmable ballast, just seems more complete having the built in computer when ordering the dimmable ballast. I also don't have a lot of experience with T5 so if I over light the corals after switching out my PacSun fixture, I will have the ability to turn down the intensity.
Now, need to figure out what 8 bulbs to order. And yes, I spend a good amount of money as well, replacing bulbs every six months doesn't irk me as much as was spent on my PacSun fixture. I could purchase this lamp and have years of lamp replacements before I even came close to breaking even, extra electricity included. Not saying it's a bad fixture, plenty of people with great success but I wasn't one of them.
-Mark
JPMagyar
New member
Amen to that! I guess life's lessons don't always come cheap
I just wish I had bought Giesemann years ago. A friend who did still has his fixture after 6 years. He did replace a ballast, but it still runs like a champ and his tank is gorgeous. I look forward to a long and happy experience with my Spectras and I'm certain you will love the Matrix. Make sure and post some shots for us every couple months or so!Amen to that! I guess life's lessons don't always come cheap
I will, but I just got delayed 8-10 weeks for the dimmable ballast.
They are also changing the "pricing structure." I'm sure we all know what that means
dowtish
New member
Awesome! Welcome back to the "proven side"!
I dont run that combo but it will look and perform very well!
I prefer a bit more blue. But I also run 2 400w SE. So Radiums are my choice.
tmc1313
Active member
Giesemann owners, I need some help. I have the 48" Infiniti 2x250 watt HQI with 4x54 watt T5's. Apparently you can no longer get the Giesemann ballasts in North America. Coralvue is the new NA rep for Giesemann. They are recommending the luXcore ballast as a replacement, which if fine, but it will only run the halides, not the T5's. My question is, when I replace the ballast, do I need to re-wire the T5's? If so, does that mean I will end up with 4 cords going to the fixture, instead of the two current ones? two for the halides and two cords for the T5's.
moondoggy4
Team RC
If you have a three plug Infinity one plug is for the MH ballast and the other two are for the T-5's.
If you want to replace the MH ballast I would put a Aqua Medic M80 cube on it if you can find one, or a Hamiltion M80 ballast and simply rewire it there are threads on that as well.
If you want to replace the MH ballast I would put a Aqua Medic M80 cube on it if you can find one, or a Hamiltion M80 ballast and simply rewire it there are threads on that as well.
tonymission
New member
I run that exact setup with two blue + and two coral +. Get great growth and I'll say pretty good color, but now I'm big time into SPS so my upcoming 6' upgrade will probably run 20k radiums on a new fixture just because everyone else does. I don't think they make double ended (my cheap fixture) so the Phoenix 14ks it is. Really don't think you can go wrong with this setup.
ssdawood
Member
One questions for geisemann users. Do you keep running the metal halides and t5 s at the same time. Or is it t5s on then they go off when halides come on and when halides go off do the t5s turn off.
Also what amount of time do you guys run halides for 400w bulbs with 20 inch deep tank amd lights mounted 10.inches high.
Also what amount of time do you guys run halides for 400w bulbs with 20 inch deep tank amd lights mounted 10.inches high.
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