Some exciting lighting news

[northbay-reefer]

You can find the exciting news here

http://www.marineaquariumsa.com/showthread.php?t=20730

I can't wait to try the new Neuco Aquastar 14500K metal halide lamp

http://************.com/2010/11/22/aquastar-14500k-metal-halide-lamp-coming-coralvue/

 

[Grant W]

Looks like something I would be interested in as I believe thats the color range my tank runs in or close to it.At least what I'm trying to get and it should be great for coral color. thx for the info.

 

[thysrof]

Tom,

Let me know when they're available I need to replace my bulbs soon

 

[Reef Bass]

The bottom link doesn't work for me.

The top link is to a south african reefing website, which is fine, but it makes me wonder if those bulbs will be available in the US?

I'll keep my 20,000K Radiums, thanks.

 

[northbay-reefer]

Ken you are using 400 watters so you got plenty of par, for us 250 watters we need more par with the same amount of blue. The radium is great but I hope for something better. The second link is in the first link "Neuco Aquastar 14500K"

Bob, As soon as I find out, I'll let you know.

Grant, the Neuco Aquastar 14500K looks very promissing

 

[Reef Bass]

Ah, that was the key point I was missing. Thanks for clarifying.

Yeah you guys check it out and if they work well, I'll climb on the bandwagon.

 

[DarkXerox]

The only place I can find it on sale is here: http://www.reefspecialty.com/virtue...ar/691-aquastar-14500k-metal-halide-bulb.html

Is anyone else going to carry it soon? I want to see how it compares to a 250w 14k DE Phoenix. The spectral plot looked pretty similar to the Radium 20k, which is something us 250w DE users get shut out on. The only thing I don't like about the Phoenix is that reds don't come out quite right (not as bad with magnetic ballasts since they overdrive it to have less of a blue washout).

Hopefully Sanjay gets his hands on one to test!

 

[Reef Bass]

DarkXerox, maybe I misunderstood you, but I didn't think it was possible to overdrive lights with magnetic ballasts. I thought only electronic ballasts could overdrive bulbs?

 

[DarkXerox]

Magnetic ballasts draw more current than electronic ones as a bulb ages, which keeps their output a little more consistent than electronic ballasts. It isn't the same as overdriving perse, but their electricity use goes up over time if you monitor it. The color is definitely whiter for the Phoenix bulbs with magnetic ballasts compared to electronic ones. I think a few threads have been posted here with comparisons.

 

[Reef Bass]

Ah, thanks for clarifying.