This is sort of a continuation of an earlier thread, but a change in direction: http://www.thereeftank.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/001811.html
In the earlier thread, I asked what was the difference of 250watts of 6500k PC light vs. MH light vs. VHO light, etc. I see now that I worded that wrong. Part of the hype surrounding PC lights is the fact that they are suppossed to be so much more efficient. Then I see something on a website about Icecap ballasts running 440 watts of lights while using 270watts of electricity.
Then I read that watts are useless and that MH lights of equal wattage put out more PAR, which seems to be the real test of light output. Meanwhile I measure the cost of lowcost PC's via Ahsupply and read about low cost Iwasaki MH (apparently MV) bulbs, and I read about people raving about how VHO light makes everything look.
I now realize what I really want to know. First, has anyone measured the PAR values of various types and wattages of lighting?
And the grand-daddy of all of my questions...
What source of lighting is truly the most efficient in terms of PAR output compared to electricity used ?
How about PAR output compared to initial cost of the lighting setup ?
To expound a bit... let's say for example that Mr. Icecap vendor, I think it was ChampionLighting, but that's beside the point, is right and an Icecap ballast and 440 watts of VHO burns 270 watts of electricity. How does the PAR of that compare to say... one 250watt Iwaski bulb (assuming that it burns 250watts of electricity)... or to five 55watt PC's (again assuming that's 275watts of electricity used).
I think once this was known, compared to the differences in initial cost and bulb replacement, the only thing left would be magical lighting qualities like this "sparkling effect" I keep reading about MH's...
If you really interested in the subject, and haven't read it already, there is an interesting similiar thread about the cost of ballasts and other hardware at: http://www.reefcentral.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?threadid=12169
In the earlier thread, I asked what was the difference of 250watts of 6500k PC light vs. MH light vs. VHO light, etc. I see now that I worded that wrong. Part of the hype surrounding PC lights is the fact that they are suppossed to be so much more efficient. Then I see something on a website about Icecap ballasts running 440 watts of lights while using 270watts of electricity.
Then I read that watts are useless and that MH lights of equal wattage put out more PAR, which seems to be the real test of light output. Meanwhile I measure the cost of lowcost PC's via Ahsupply and read about low cost Iwasaki MH (apparently MV) bulbs, and I read about people raving about how VHO light makes everything look.
I now realize what I really want to know. First, has anyone measured the PAR values of various types and wattages of lighting?
And the grand-daddy of all of my questions...
What source of lighting is truly the most efficient in terms of PAR output compared to electricity used ?
How about PAR output compared to initial cost of the lighting setup ?
To expound a bit... let's say for example that Mr. Icecap vendor, I think it was ChampionLighting, but that's beside the point, is right and an Icecap ballast and 440 watts of VHO burns 270 watts of electricity. How does the PAR of that compare to say... one 250watt Iwaski bulb (assuming that it burns 250watts of electricity)... or to five 55watt PC's (again assuming that's 275watts of electricity used).
I think once this was known, compared to the differences in initial cost and bulb replacement, the only thing left would be magical lighting qualities like this "sparkling effect" I keep reading about MH's...
If you really interested in the subject, and haven't read it already, there is an interesting similiar thread about the cost of ballasts and other hardware at: http://www.reefcentral.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?threadid=12169