Which Ballast

clownfishcrazy · 12-01-2004, 11:05 AM

For my 135 I am going to have four MH fixtures on it, two at each end. So far I have decided on bulbs and reflecters, (2 400 watt) 20K Radiums and (2 250 watt) 10K XM. Now I am trying to decide on ballasts, I have it narrowed down to PFO dual 400 watt or PFO HQI dual 400 watt (for Radiums). Also either PFO dual 250 watt or PFO HQI 250 watt (for XM). Which ballast would you use? What are the benifits of HQI? How long will the Radiums last on a HQI ballast (bulb life)? Do you think I should do 400 watt XM's or just keep them at 250 watt?

jg24 · 12-01-2004, 12:18 PM

Devin, Have you ever thought about getting raw ballasts? Check out hellolights.com. I am currently running 3 DIY ballasts for my 250W XM 10K bulbs. I made all 3 ballasts for around $300 including the reflectors and mogul sockets.

David Grigor · 12-01-2004, 12:43 PM

Raduims - you start seeing a shift in coral coloration will vary depending on the corals you have. I started seeing it around 6-7 months mark. Sometimes waited a max of 8 months depending on cash flow. ( regardless of HQI or e-ballast it was about the same. ). For me, When blue/purples start to fade then it's time. Some people try to stretch to 12 months but your more demanding corals will tell you when it's time.....

Casey says you can get a full year out of the 400W 20K XMs but for me they burned more blue than the Radium thus I didn't like it and switched back. The 20K XM I only tried on e-ballast ( not on the HQI ).

The 250W 10K XMs pack a pretty good punch. I have seen really nice SPS dominant tanks with them and would not hesitate to use vs. the 400W.

Matter of fact, since likely wont' immediately fill up the tank with sps to need all 4 at startup, I would start out with the 2 X 250W XMs then later decided if you want to add the 400W 20K Radiums or not, you may decide to stick with the all 250W and not go with the combination of 400W. If you like the results, it will make it easier on the electric bill and keeping the tank cool to go 3-4 X 250W and skip 400Wers.

I know if I ever get back into SPS again, I will likely not go as much as 400w again since there are some alternative 250W varieties out there.

clownfishcrazy · 12-01-2004, 02:59 PM

Dave,
Do you think that the PFO dual 250 ballast is better to run for the XM 10K or the PFO HQI dual 250 watt?
I have heard that the 250 watt version of the Radium isn't as good as the 400 watt, the color looks more blue or something. I don't know if thats true or not, but I want to use the 400 watt Radiums because my basement stay pretty cold year round and I want to use the 400 watters to help heat the tank.

Dwayne · 12-01-2004, 03:10 PM

I run 250w 10K XM on PFO dual ballast. I like it.

FWIW

David Grigor · 12-01-2004, 03:56 PM

I wouldn't even consider any Radium other than the 400w. No other Radium version has the same characteristics as 400W on HQI.

No experience with the 250W 10K XMs but from my understanding they were intended to run on standard ballast like Dwayne is using not HQI.

As far as assisting with heat for the tank should be a non-issue, 4 MH at 250W or 400W will produce more than enough heat. If concerned about keepig the basement heated, probably should consider more of a 5pm - 5am light schedule so you can take advantage of the excess MH heat during the coldest time of day.

Twins Guy · 12-01-2004, 04:30 PM

dave makes a good point about the photoperiod...that's perfect for you since you're up all night surveying TRT and porn.

tg

clownfishcrazy · 12-01-2004, 05:28 PM

LOL I was most likely going to have a lighting schedule that was on more in the dark hours, and for the reasons TG mentioned.

polskp · 12-01-2004, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twins Guy

dave makes a good point about the photoperiod...that's perfect for you since you're up all night surveying TRT and porn.

tg

LMAO!!!

Jive Turkey · 12-01-2004, 06:36 PM

Do you plan on having supplemental actinics? I would recommend it.

Either way, I would not match 400w 20 with 10k, although you saw what Derek did. 20k, 10k, 10k, 20k in PFO reflectors with the bulbs tips facing each other where the 10k and 20k blended. Looked like a good blend IMO, but a little too white for me even with VHO actinics. The 20k looks a little dull in comparison. So I would chose 250w 10k Ushios or XMs to offset the Rads, or ever 6500k 175 watters.

Jive Turkey · 12-01-2004, 06:39 PM

Also, I think 1600w is a little much for a 135g tank. Strong, randon flow and water quality are more important anyway. Save some loot and focus on those.

tico mike · 12-01-2004, 06:43 PM

My wife convinced me that TRT WAS porn.

vertical · 12-01-2004, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Casey says you can get a full year out of the 400W 20K XMs but for me they burned more blue than the Radium thus I didn't like it and switched back. The 20K XM I only tried on e-ballast ( not on the HQI ).

I think Dave when we talked about the 20k XMs I was on first set. I was told they would last a year on normal ballasts. I actually found they last about as long as Radium. I have went to a 7 month schedule on them. One other thing I really noticed on the tanks I have seen is that if you run the 20ks on electronic ballast they burn MUCH blue. I think they look about right for my taste on a regular pulse start. I use Sunlight supply BlueWaveII.

HTH
Casey

David Grigor · 12-01-2004, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vertical

I have went to a 7 month schedule on them. One other thing I really noticed on the tanks I have seen is that if you run the 20ks on electronic ballast they burn MUCH blue. I think they look about right for my taste on a regular pulse start. I use Sunlight supply BlueWaveII.

HTH
Casey

Definately burn bluer than my taste on Blueline e-ballast. At the time I never tried to run on my HQI to know how they would look. Thomas ( Trodder ) may be able to give some insight on 400w 20K XM on regular ballast and/or HQI.

clownfishcrazy · 12-01-2004, 07:23 PM

I might add actinics, I will run the MHs and see how I like it without actinics. I am going to merge the reflectors of tilt them towards each other, I see what works best for blending.

Joe have you ever looked into the sun, I don't think you can have enough light.

For flow I have my two return pumps (590 gph) each going through a 3/4" SS that will sit on the center brace. And also two 6100 Tunze Streams one on each end. If that isn't enough flow then I will add some more Tunze Streams.

Water quality will be perfect! Total system water should be around 200/250 gallons including sump and prop tank.