Why doesn't 400 Watt MH seem bright enough?

[djk1]

now thats got me thinking. What is the best 14k bulk?

 

[DarG]

Just checking Sanjays site, the 400 watt Hamilton 14000K has low par on electronic ballasts. As low as 80 on one of them (Ice Cap I think). Obviously not a good choice for electonic ballasts.

 

[sirjohn]

Not sure if someone has brought this up already, but is the MH and VHO retrofitted into a canopy or are they in a fixture? If this is a retrofit, what kind of reflector are you using?

Also, how close to the water do you have the MH bulb?

You might also want to try measuring the par with a lux meter, if you have one, or borrow one from someone if you don't.

At the very least, I would try to have the bulb and/or the ballast exchanged for a new one before the warranty expired. Bad bulbs and ballasts do happen...