Jim's 180 build

[jtarmitage]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13083760#post13083760 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jim_S
:lol:

Yeah, I am stuck between the reeflux and the radiums. The problem is that you, Mark and Davey all run them on M80's!! Mine won't look like that

Yeah, but there wasn't that much of a difference. I just chose to stick with the HQI's because of my tank depth. Heck, I'm actually getting way too much light on my corals with the new reflectors. If you're not happy, we may do a switcheroo.

 

[Jim_S]

:lol:

No, I'm happy I know I don't "need" the extra power because my tank is only 24". But my concern is the bulb life from under-driving as well as color. The electronic's are a little bluer correct? What about life span on the e-ballasts?


But hey, if you wanna swap, I'm game

 

[kdblove_99]

Think it will still look good just more blue. People seem to really like the Reeflux 12ks a lot and get really good results from what i have read. but if you had M80 ballasts it would be a slam dunk.

there is a guy selling 3 dual bluewave ballasts HQI in the FS section $200 each and 1 single for $150. but you can get a single Bluewave at Aquabuys for $150 with free shipping

 

[jtarmitage]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13083795#post13083795 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jim_S
:lol:

No, I'm happy I know I don't "need" the extra power because my tank is only 24". But my concern is the bulb life from under-driving as well as color. The electronic's are a little bluer correct? What about life span on the e-ballasts?


But hey, if you wanna swap, I'm game

Electronics will be a little bluer. The HQI's drive the bulbs harder and give them a little extra crispness. The lifespan will then be longer for an electronic vs. HQI. I am curious to see the electronics on these new reflectors. If you wanna come over for a visit some time, bring the single ballast and we'll throw it on to see the true comparison.

 

[kdblove_99]

I thought opposite longer life with HQI. from what i have read i think from Darg and hahnmeister the HQI runs then closer to spec and electronoic under powers them which is as bad as overpowering.

 

[Jim_S]

Those are good deals Davey! I must confess that I'm definitely running out of available fundage, and need to stop hemorrhaging money on this tank Live stock is something that I plan to do little by little over the next few months, but now that I have these e-ballasts, I'm going to have to stick with them for a while. I cannot afford to go out and buy another new set.

Jeremy, so you feel the e-ballasts will run the bulbs longer? I had this discussion before, and while I agree with you, some others felt differently.

Edit: I see Davey touched on it just before my post :lol:

 

[kdblove_99]

DarG and hahnmeister are 2 guys i really respect as far as lighting goes. Pauleric is super knowledgable on SE also.

 

[Jim_S]

I've got a PM into Paulerik already. When he responds, I'll shoot back this question and get his opinion

 

[jtarmitage]

Maybe so, but logic tells you that the hotter(more wattage) you run a bulb, the faster you'll burn up the phosphors, causing the color to shift. Under power won't affect that as far as I know. Under powering would be like a brown out, causing the bulb to flicker more than anything. But, what do I know.

 

[Jim_S]

^^^

Exactly what I thought. I most instances, less power = less wear on the product, but what the heck do I know either :lol:

I've got a PM into a really sharp lighting guy. I know he'll be able to shed some light on it for me

Alright, I'm beat. Gotta get ready to start the race all over again in the morning

See ya'll online tomorrow

 

[kdblove_99]

Jim,

Just got my carbon from bulk reef supply and they had a sticker with august specials and its buy 3 radium bulbs get the 4th one FREE

 

[Jim_S]

Really? Thats a deal!!

My problem is lack of fundage man I'm flying to Tokyo next month and I'm really not gonna have much extra money until Sep-Oct. These Helios are gonna have to last at least until then. Thats the biggest problem I have with long tanks. You need at least 3 lamps to light it properly. That means everything triples in price :mad2: My next tank will be cubeish and only run 2 full sized lumi's.

Thanks though dude!!! I'm just gonna to wait on this one Maybe even until after I add my actinics....

 

[Jim_S]

Okay, just got this PM from PaulErik.

PaulErik wrote on 08/05/2008 01:14 PM:
If you switched ballasts around and the lamps still appear the same then it is the lamps. When switching ballasts on lamps the lamps require another burn in period to restabilize. It can take up to a few weeks for the lamps to adjust. When using multiple lamps you want all the lamps burning in the same position. The inner bulb nipple should point horizontally to up. This assures the light output and color is more uniform.

I kinda figured something like this was the case. The helios should last at least another 4 months, so I'm good for now

Thanks PE!!! You've been a wonderful help once again!!!

Jim

 

[jtarmitage]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13094200#post13094200 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jim_S
Okay, just got this PM from PaulErik.




I kinda figured something like this was the case. The helios should last at least another 4 months, so I'm good for now

Thanks PE!!! You've been a wonderful help once again!!!

Jim

That's good to know. It does seem strange that they'd be different, but hopefully they'll even out quickly.

 

[Jim_S]

Yeah. MH lamps are strange and mysterious :lol: too many factors involved in make the fire/burn.

I'll just wait patiently (like with everything else in this hobby) and see what developes

 

[reefer334]

That sucks about your lights Jim.


How is everything else doing?


Chris

 

[Jim_S]

I'm sure its just a matter of time before they even out I'll report back in about a week.

Everything is doing just fine

Params reed as follow

Nitrate:10 (salifert)
DKH:10-11 (elos)
CA:425 (elos)
Phos: its been a while....
Mag:1400 (elos)
Salinity: 1.026
Temp:80 f

Shoot me a PM if you ever want to stop by. Not much to see as its only a bunch of frags. I'd say in about a year things will be getting to where I will be happy

 

[JRaquatics]

How do you like the elos test kits?

 

[Jim_S]

I really like the ALK and CA tests. The MG test use to be killer too, but they changed it for accuracy and I'm not too happy with it. The test works well, but you have to run two separate tests to get your one answer where as on the last version, you just ran one test and that was it.

 

[JRaquatics]

I will have to pic up the Elos alk and ca test kits then. I wish some company would create a decent easy to use mag test kit. I currently use a sea chem kit to test mag. even though it is close to accurate it take forever to do and I feel like a mad scientist with all the vials and solutions.