PAR for a SPS tank

[110galreef]

the aqua connect does have some big par #'s . i dont think i will need any more the the radium 400's. my tank is only 26" deep.

do you run your xm's on standard or super?

i read that xm recommends standard not hqi.

I am on STD.....I am coming from only 2 250w MH's now to the 2 400w and 4 80w t-5's. Don't want to fry things. I may bump them up to the SL after a few months, burn them out quick and then try the Aqua Star 14.5k. If I don't like color or the PAR seems off, then I will go Radiums!

 

[mos90]

check this video out..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyEBPSWakL4

 

[110galreef]

those numbers don't seem to far off what I got in general. Maybe the RAdium will pull a few more amps.

i typically saw ~265 on normal and 297 on HQI

this vid shows like 272 and 307

 

[mos90]

i just added up what ive spent upgrading to this tank. im slightly on the nauseous side. and i sold a bunch of stuff too. need to sell more.

 

[mos90]

the radium 400 and lumantek ballast arrived today. i will send some par #'s over later tonight. i also ordered a purple plus and actinic 420 so i play around with t5's too. i might go with 3-actinic 420'a and a purple plus. maybe. depends on how much blue the radiums produce.

 

[110galreef]

sounds good looking forward to the numbers. However you may want to let the bulbs burn in for a week first.

You may find your lacking whiter spectrum with the radiums and so much acctinic in T-5. The radiums are gonna be a huge change from the Hamilton 14k

Refresh me on your light setup and tank dimension.

 

[mos90]

I'm running a 6' Cebu sun fixture on a 96"x30"x26" tank. 12" awl. I tested some par just to get An idea of the increase of par. At 10" under the Hamilton 250w 14k but still put of the water par was 900. That included the t5's. under the 400w radium, set on regular 400 on the lumantek par was closer to 1250. At 10" under water directly under the bulbs, Hamilton 320, radium 400. I gained 25 more par at that depth on 400 sl setting.

 

[110galreef]

I'm running a 6' Cebu sun fixture on a 96"x30"x26" tank. 12" awl. I tested some par just to get An idea of the increase of par. At 10" under the Hamilton 250w 14k but still put of the water par was 900. That included the t5's. under the 400w radium, set on regular 400 on the lumantek par was closer to 1250. At 10" under water directly under the bulbs, Hamilton 320, radium 400. I gained 25 more par at that depth on 400 sl setting.

Are your running a 3 MH & 4 80w T-5's

400 at 10"under water..just MH or w/t-5? If all bulbs thats not much more PAR for an extra 150w.... maybe just needs to burn in. I was expecting a lot more from the radium. How many watts was the radium pulling on 400w & 400SL...

I thought I was about 450+ PAR 10" under water under the XM 20k & t-5's regular 400w setting. But you are more PAR at water surface?

 

[mos90]

I was running all the bulbs including the 4-80w t's. I couldn't find a kilowatt meter at lowes but the apex said 3.2 amps and 3.5 amps.

Remember that I still have the glass tops on . I plan to keep them on until it warms up some outside.

Out of the water the radium was over 300 par more at the water surface.

I like the color better already. I plan to try the radium 250's and see how I like them. I'm sure I will. Hopefully just a touch more par then the hamiltons with better color. I plan to test them on the Hamilton and lumantek ballasts and compare.

 

[mos90]

Also. I've read a few places that for some reason the apogee meter reads radiums 20% low. I don't know how true that is.

 

[mos90]

i think that test on advanced for the elec ballast was on the 400sl settings. unless my amps are way off on the apex.

 

[110galreef]

I was running all the bulbs including the 4-80w t's. I couldn't find a kilowatt meter at lowes but the apex said 3.2 amps and 3.5 amps.

Remember that I still have the glass tops on . I plan to keep them on until it warms up some outside.

Out of the water the radium was over 300 par more at the water surface.

3.2 amps is only ~ 384 w and 3.5a is ~ 420w. Really need a kill a watt.

Also. I've read a few places that for some reason the apogee meter reads radiums 20% low. I don't know how true that is.

Ive seen something like that. But not sure why thast bulb only would be off? Do you have the electric light meter or the sunlight? electric should be accurate. thats what i am using

i think that test on advanced for the elec ballast was on the 400sl settings. unless my amps are way off on the apex.

Need killa watt..

AHow many MH's? 3??

 

[mos90]

i plan to get 1. cant find 1 locally. the 400w radium is only supposed to run at 360watts for it to last. any more then that ive heard it lasting 6-8 months.

yes 3 mhs. my apogee can switch to both modes. both read about the same.

 

[110galreef]

if you can when you do your test post numbers tested w/o the glass tops? Most everyone uses no tops and it will also allow us to have a nice comparison between the XM 20k and Radium. And if I get the Aquastar 14.5 next then I will load that for PAR.

Also you have the splash sheild off now to right?

 

[mos90]

yes splash sheild is off.. ordered killawatt meter. will be here tomorrow.

 

[mos90]

meter is here. i will test the hamiltons and lumentek tonight.

my tank has been setup and running about 6 weeks now. ive noticed some signs of hair algae on the rocks. not good. need to ramp up some extra gfo and cut back on feedings.

 

[mos90]

Ok. 400s/l. 3.91amps. 447 watts. 400regular. 3.73 amp. 428 watts.

 

[110galreef]

Ok. 400s/l. 3.91amps. 447 watts. 400regular. 3.73 amp. 428 watts.

pretty darn close to what i got.

430w at 400 setting
450w at 400s/l setting

 

[mos90]

i turned it down to 250s/l and wattage was 305. i plan to test the hamilton ballast with the 14k hami bulb tonight. i cant seem to find the used radium bulb i thought i had but the new ones will be here monday.

 

[mos90]

Hamilton 14k on the Hamilton ballast was showing 285w. on the lumantek for some reason it showed the same on both setting at 305w. it must have something to do with the bulb. i plan to test the radium 250's tonight. ill post updates with par.