Looking to borrow a PFO HQI ballast

[mojo]

I'm looking for anyone that has a PFO 250w HQI ballast that I can use for doing some testing. I'm not getting the PAR I want out of my existing lights, and instead of replacing my whole lighting setup, I'd like to see how much more I can get out of a magnetic ballast vs. my current Icecap.

Would only need to use it for a couple hours, and whoever has it could be present while I use it...

[Melissa]

Chris,
I have two that I use for my current lighting. I could pull one off for a few hours so you can try it.

Melissa

[mojo]

That would work. Don't you still have that dual 400w PFO ballast for sale as well? I might be looking for something like that if I can't enough out of my 250's....

Sending you a PM-

[MattTVI]

Chris,

Have you checked out sanjay's site?

that M80 magnetic is a BEAST! though its best performance is w/ the DE EVC 10k, which is a pretty light, imo, but some people don't like it...

according to Dr. Sanjay, that m80 w/ the EVC 10k will give you PPFD of 147, but I guess you have your own light meter?

hth,

Matt

[Markv]

Chris, what's your current lighting configuration? Are you a 20k user, or do you lean more towards 10k? Just curious.

[mojo]

I've been to Sanjay's site, Joe Burger's site, plenty of articles on Advanced Aquarist and others.

The PFO HQI ballast is an M80 ballast.

Yes, I'm using a PAR meter for everything. I was shocked to find my acros only getting 180-220 PAR below my existing 250w DE bulbs, so I'm going to try some different ballasts to see what I can get.

I've already tried dropping down the fixture so that the glass is almost 3" above the surface, and I'm still only getting 400 PAR (far short of the 600-800 PAR that I'm looking for).

I've read a bunch of different tests on PAR readings with different bulbs, and after doing some of my own testing, it appears that that there's no substitute to testing your own equipment instead of relying on others' data. For example, I am using the Phoenix 14k bulbs over the Hamilton 14k because it supposedly has a higher PAR. Not on my system. The Hamilton shows 25% PAR with everythign else being equal.

So... time to experiment.

[mojo]

Originally Posted by Markv

Chris, what's your current lighting configuration? Are you a 20k user, or do you lean more towards 10k? Just curious.

Four 250w DE fixtures. PFO mini-pendants, Phoenix 14k bulbs (I like the color, but not sure I can get enough PAR out of them), and Icecap 250w ballasts.

I like Icecaps and I like the fact that it limits my electrical usage to 250w, but it may be too limiting now...

[MattTVI]

Originally Posted by mojo

The PFO HQI ballast is an M80 ballast.

I know it is, hence i didn't start w/... "why don't you try the m80 instead..." :-)

good luck w/ your testing...

Matt

[mojo]

Originally Posted by MattTVI

I know it is, hence i didn't start w/... "why don't you try the m80 instead..." :-)

Ah - sorry - I misread your post.

In either case, I'm taking notes and will let everyone know what I find.

[xaoss23]

wow, still only 400? Thats still a fairly significant increase but also very close to the surface...

I'm still interested in seeing the spread of your data...

[kwl1763]

I also have 2 on my current setup (which is still in progress, i.e. not even used yet but were on an old system of mine) that you are welcome to borrow! I'd love to borrow the PAR meter sometime also!

[mojo]

Originally Posted by kwl1763

I also have 2 on my current setup (which is still in progress, i.e. not even used yet but were on an old system of mine) that you are welcome to borrow! I'd love to borrow the PAR meter sometime also!

Hmm- that may be easier than using Melissas (since hers are in service), and you're closer. I'll check back with her and let you know.

The PAR meter isn't mine, but I've got one on order - should be here in a week or so, and I'll let you borrow it in exchange for borrowing the ballasts!

[MattTVI]

Chris,

If you decide to change ballasts, would you be willing to sell me your old IceCaps?

:-)

thanks,

Matt

[mojo]

Possibly. I may end up keeping them to use on a growout tank...

[AquaticCo]

I'm running PFO HQI ballasts and EVC 10K's. I can tell you that the coral growth is awsome. But running just the HQI's is not very appealing to the eyes. Run actinics with them and you will be happy!

Doug