M81 Electronic HID Ballast

[stingleyman]

Hello fellow reefers! So its time to replace the bulbs in my Current MH/T5 lighting combo. Ive had a number of different lights over the years so im not exactly sure what bulbs to buy. As stated this light uses the m81 sunpack Electronic HID ballast. model # 120-mh-150. (150w) Ive read lots and lots of threads and posts but im still a bit unsure as to what bulbs i can and cant use with this ballast. Also a lot of pics with 150w lights but they don't seem to specify ballast type. I'm also confused on the whol radium bulb compatabilty...some say there lights flicker with these bulbs. I certainly don't wanna drop a couple hundred bucks on bulbs that don't work properly. Im running/looking to run a mixed reef...75 gallon. SPS on top. Looking to get a good crisp white color for good par being its only 150w..light also has 4 54w
T5's, so i have plenty of room for color suppliment. So.....if any of you fellow reefers would be so kind as to give me some suggestions for bulbs i would appreicate it greatly. keep in mind the ballast, as they all look different. Pictures are always welcome as well! :beer:

Thanks, Chris.

 

[sirreal63]

M81 is the magnetic ballast for HQI bulbs, the 120-MH-150 is an electronic ballast. Two different ballasts. If yours is listed as 120-MH-150 it should be this ballast...
http://www.frontierlighting.com/ind...291&ID=&process=&&update=true&redirect=false#
which is an electronic ballast, not an HQI or M81 ballast.

Over the years many people have had issues with running certain bulbs on that Sunpark ballast, mostly Radium and Phoenix, the two most popular 150 watt bulbs. The issue isn't the bulbs, it is the cheap ballast Current uses. Unfortunately there is no way on knowing how your ballast will work as not everyone has the flickering issue with Current fixtures and Radium and Phoenix bulbs. I would go with the Phoenix for the price and if you want to try the Radium make sure and get the new version which was just released, it "should" work better on the ballast you have.

 

[stingleyman]

Sirreal63, Thank you. I was hoping u might chime in on this, as ive seen you comment on a number of light related posts. I do understand the difference between the magnetic and electronic ballast. Unfortunately im also aware of lack of quality with these ballast. I guess im confused a bit, I can read the details on the ballast while looking through the fan on the side of the fixture. it says: Electronic HID Ballast, model 120-mh-150, ANSI code M81, M142......Can u tell me what the ANSI code means? BTW, Im not being arguementative or anything, I was just trying to list the info as i read it of the ballast so i could give the most accrurate description. To cut to the chase, My buddy and i split a very large Frag Pack from a fellow reefer here on RC......should be here Tues. I been going back and forth on getting a different light, Either a 250 MH setup or LED. BUT....I"ve seen you post on multiple threads stating one could grow good healthy sps coral running 150w lights. With that said, would you kindly give me your recommendation on that aspect, respective to the light i have. I can probly pick up a couple good 250 pendants for the cost of replacing both 150 bulbs and the 4 t5 bulbs. But if you think i can work with my "current setup" i will stand pat....sorry about the long message..Thanks.

 

[sirreal63]

Your fixture is fine, it isn't a great fixture but it is capable. Current used many different ballasts over the years. In simple terms if it says Electronic HID ballast that is what it is, their using M81 and M142 is probably meant to suggest comparable, the ANSI M81 and M142 are magnetic ballasts, not electronic. There is difference in M81, M142/M102. To the best of my limited knowledge, the M142 is correct for a SE 150 watt bulb, the M81 is correct for a European spec HQI bulb and runs at a higher wattage. Yes all of the above ballasts will fire a 150 watt DE bulb but only the M81 will run it close to what the bulb maker specs.

The decision to keep it or replace it with a 250 is going to depend on your goals. If you plan on a larger tank in the future then going with a 250 is a wise move, there are more bulb choices available and that makes things easier. I get away with 150's because my tank is shallow and my reflectors are excellent. There isn't anything on a Current fixture that can be called great, they are adequate entry level equipment that is over priced for what you get, but they still can grow corals.

 

[stingleyman]

Thanks Jack...I guess i still have a decision to make. lol. I don't envision upgrading from my 75 anytime soon but i still think i will look to upgrade lights in the future. One last question, if you don't mind, At what height would you recommend i hang the light from the water surface? I have it about 10.5" off the water now.....should i consider lowering it a bit? Gonna have a whole bunch of sps frags soon....Thanks again Jack.

 

[sirreal63]

It depends on the bulb you use, if a 20k then you may need to lower it, if a 10-14k then I would leave it high and lower as needed. PAR comes into play here, a low par bulb will need to be closer to the tank, a higher par bulb will need to be higher off the tank, at least initially, you can lower it as the corals become acclimated to the light. You can fry corals under 10k bulbs easily, until they become acclimated to that high par.

Use Sanjay's guide to help decide a good par bulb to use.
http://www.manhattanreefs.com/lighting
The Phoenix is a good bulb for par and color, especially with the T5's to help balance the color. A lot of people have been happy with 12k bulbs as well, good par and easy to balance color with T5. You will notice the Radium is a high par bulb and is my favorite, but finding it has been hard and the new version released is untested but if budget isn't a big deal it is worth trying.

 

[stingleyman]

Ok great...I have checked out Sanjay's Guide before. I will go ahead and leave the light where it is. I currently run a 12k bulb along with blue plus t5s. I think i will give the 10k phoenix a try...Sometimes a little reassurance goes a long way. Thanks again kind sir!

 

[sirreal63]

The Phoenix is listed as a 14k but it is closer to a 20k bulb for color, especially on an electronic ballast.

 

[stingleyman]

Hmm...yes your right. I don't think i want that much blue...considering im already supplimenting w T5s...What do YOU think about the reeflux bulbs? The 10 or 12k... Sorry for taking up so much of your time.

 

[sirreal63]

A lot of people like the Reeflex 12k. I have plenty of time, I am waiting on stain to dry.

 

[stingleyman]

Ok...well i appreciate it very much. So....If you were going to buy a lighting system for a standard 75 what would u buy? Ballasts, reflectors, bulbs, and supplimental? Your obviously very savy with this stuff. Quality/value/longevity all things considered please...thanks again. btw....im hoping your in a well ventilated area..lol

 

[Michigan Mike]

I have a 150w / 4x24w Current Outer Orbit as well. I have a brand new Phoenix bulb that can try in it, I've heard many people using it successfully in this fixture.

I've been using 10k XM and using 3 blue plus & a purple T5- this really makes the color look more acceptable to me, I like it enough. Although I have it set up on a planted tank @ the moment with 2 6500k, 1 18k power GLO & a 14k bulb along with the 10k XM, I use either the halide or T5.

 

[sirreal63]

For a 75, I would stick with what you have, it is more than adequate for a tank that is narrow and not tall. There are plenty of good options out there, but what you have will do the job nicely. If this were a bigger, deeper and taller tank then 250's would be warranted, but for a standard 75 there is no need in more light at this point. 10k bulbs with Blue+ supplements and you will have more usable light than a poorly setup 250 watt. No the ballasts are not ideal but they will get the job done.

I am well ventilated, am doing the staining in the screened in porch. It is only 73 today so the temp is good too.

 

[stingleyman]

Ha...well good to know your ventilated. lol. I would be thrilled to see 73! its about 55 here in Illinois today, warmest day of the year. Thanks again Jack. Mike, at one time i had a 250w sunpod over a corner tank. The 14k phoenix did a good job. I liked it overall as it didn't have any other supplimentation. I would imagine the 14k phoenix along with my t5s would be awfully blue though. I recently replaced the blue+ bulbs so i really don't wanna have to buy whiter bulbs to suppliment the blue halide..lol. If you had time i wouldn't mind seeing a picture. Although, i imagine they do have a break in period...Thanks guys.

 

[Michigan Mike]

Lucky you I have a well broke-in Phoenix now! Haha
The extra T5 bulbs are really great for added color & PAR. I wouldn't use a Phoenix in a fixture like ours unless adding 2 ge6500 & 2 blue plus or at least one ge6500 and some coral plus bulbs, the Phoenix takes a lot of white to even make that blue a little lighter, I'm assuming the sunpark ballast will run it more blue than my m-81.

I'm heading out the door but ill get back to this later.

 

[stingleyman]

Lucky you I have a well broke-in Phoenix now! Haha
The extra T5 bulbs are really great for added color & PAR. I wouldn't use a Phoenix in a fixture like ours unless adding 2 ge6500 & 2 blue plus or at least one ge6500 and some coral plus bulbs, the Phoenix takes a lot of white to even make that blue a little lighter, I'm assuming the sunpark ballast will run it more blue than my m-81.

I'm heading out the door but ill get back to this later.

Thanks Mike! No Hurry.

 

[Michigan Mike]

Thanks Mike! No Hurry.

So what pics do you want? I have a new DSLR now, I have old pics but I'd like to hear what you think.
I have used 10k XM, 15k XM, 14k Phoenix, (these bulbs are used but not worn out like my other 10k) I alo have a brand new Phoenix but I'd rather not put it in ....haha

Ok
I have. Lot of T5 bulbs current 420 & 460(multiples) I have many blue plus, Fiji purple, ATI actinic, GE 6500, Hagen Life GLO II(6500k), Hagen power GLO 18k, fishneedit blue & 14k. All right now, easy.

Should I try the used Phoenix and t5 bulb combo & 10k XM and t5 bulb combo.
Outer orbit 150w / 4x24w T5. Let me know, sorry I don't have the coral plus & aquablue bulbs here.

 

[Michigan Mike]

Old iphone3 pics.
10k alone

15k XM.

15k XM/ 2 current 420 & 2 current 460

this is still one of my favs but the current bulbs suck & I want this look...actinic & blue plus may be close..but more blue looking I think.

15k XM/ 1 Fiji purple & 1 blue plus

Anyway here is a few combos, I know some Bly have 2 T5 bulbs.
As you can see 4 current bulbs aren't as powerful as 1 of each of the ATi/ KZ bulbs. These bulbs are much better than Current/UVL/Hagen/Aquaticlife.
Let me now what you are I the tested in.
All iPhone 3 pics.ill take T3i DSLR pics now.
Let me know. I'll try with what I have.

 

[stingleyman]

I do like the 3rd pic as well. The fourth doesn't look bad either. its a bit hard to tell how it would represent coral coral or fish being its just rock, but it does give an idea of color. Is that A 29gal corner? I used to have the same tank but w the 250w sunpod. I ran the xm15k and the current 14k.(what it came with)....My "current" fixture has 2 150mh and 4 54w t5s. I have to new ati blue+, ati aquablue special, and a giesemann power chrome actinic+...........If you dont mind i would like to see yours w the two blue+, ati actinic, and the fiji purple. The phoenix and the 10k xm would be great! Thanks a lot man!


btw..i will surely keep the two blue+ and was wanting one purple, not sure about the 4th bulb though. maybe just another blue+ if i decide to go with a 10k bulb....

 

[Michigan Mike]

I do like the 3rd pic as well. The fourth doesn't look bad either. its a bit hard to tell how it would represent coral coral or fish being its just rock, but it does give an idea of color. Is that A 29gal corner? I used to have the same tank but w the 250w sunpod. I ran the xm15k and the current 14k.(what it came with)....My "current" fixture has 2 150mh and 4 54w t5s. I have to new ati blue+, ati aquablue special, and a giesemann power chrome actinic+...........If you dont mind i would like to see yours w the two blue+, ati actinic, and the fiji purple. The phoenix and the 10k xm would be great! Thanks a lot man!


btw..i will surely keep the two blue+ and was wanting one purple, not sure about the 4th bulb though. maybe just another blue+ if i decide to go with a 10k bulb....

The iPhone 3 pics are of a 36g corner bowfront tank. I also have pics of it with my phoenix on m-81 mag ballast with multiple t5 combos. ..oh man

To be clear yo want to see the Phoenix & 10k with 2 blue plus', actinic ,& purple? - if so I can do that.. I'll take it with a better DSLR cam.
I hope you like it.