Changing back to MH

[justinm]

330 watts would be about right for ONE "250 watt" halide potentially, but not two Radiums.

I think I may have what you're testing confused in my brain.

(If @BoomCorals is right, you should expect both brands to consume very close to the same power.)

The amps I got were from the Hamilton’s not the radium. 2 Hamilton bulbs and I was getting 3 amps not the 4.5 I should be.

 

[mcarroll]

My radium burns a bright crisp white color on a galaxy select a watt. The Hamilton 20k is very dim and blue, kind of what the radium would look like at the 150 watts setting. I agree that something isn’t right.

Are you running 150 watt bulbs, or does that ballast really cover 150 and 250 watt bulbs?

Crisp blue is correct for a properly driven Radium. "Shaggy blue" is correct for an under-driven one.

But your description sounds like a defect. Are you sure they sent the correct bulbs? If not you might have to try a second set....call them at least.

 

[mcarroll]

The amps I got were from the Hamilton’s not the radium. 2 Hamilton bulbs and I was getting 3 amps not the 4.5 I should be.

That's way wrong for a pair of 250 watt bulbs. 270 watts • 2 = 540 watts + ballast overhead >> 330 watts.

330 might be about right for a pair of 150 watt Radiums....170 watts • 2 = 340 watts. Close, at least.

 

[justinm]

My radium is run on the HQI setting.

 

[justinm]

It’s definitely a 250w bulb with the M58 ballast. I’m going to try my other ballast and see what happens.

 

[justinm]

You can definitely see the difference between the galaxy ballast and the Hamilton.

 

[BoomCorals]

That's way wrong for a pair of 250 watt bulbs. 270 watts • 2 = 540 watts + ballast overhead >> 330 watts.

330 might be about right for a pair of 150 watt Radiums....170 watts • 2 = 340 watts. Close, at least.

I agree. I’d say wattmeter time!!

 

[justinm]

The M58 ballast is rated for 2.1 amps so I should be getting 252 watts to the bulb but I have a feeling it’s more like 180.

I sent an email to Hamilton and will just wait for their response I guess.

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

Hi,

I am dropping my radions and making the move back to halide. I am picking up a 4’ Hamilton Cebu Sun tomorrow. It has the electronic ballast which was an upgrade. I believe the magnetic ballast option was not an M80.

I am running a radium with a galaxy select a watt at the moment on my 40 breeder. I know not the right ballast but color and growth is good enough for me.

I was just wondering if there was a better bulb to run with the electronic ballast that comes with the Hamilton without sacrificing too much color or par.

Thanks in adavance for any help!

Justin

I won't say names, (but, he maintains 10000L tank), their building larger tanks, going with LED, the 10000L tank has MH, I mentioned to keep option open for MH. We'll see.

 

[DSC reef]

The M58 ballast is rated for 2.1 amps so I should be getting 252 watts to the bulb but I have a feeling it’s more like 180.

I sent an email to Hamilton and will just wait for their response I guess.

Email Dave at Hamilton, he will take great care of you. I had the Hamilton 20k next a radium in our old current fixture (150watt) and couldn't tell a difference. I was impressed with the growth and color from the Hamilton bulb.

 

[skidrow52]

Using Hamilton electronic ballasts with Radium bulbs , burns very crisp white. Using the ballasts for more than 5 years with no problems, I run Blue plus and Coral Plus 2x54w T5’s, it’s Hamilton Cebu Sun fixture. Radiums are 2x250w

 

[vetteguy53081]

Although I use very expensive lighting, MH in my opinion will be the industry King and rendered very effective for natural lighting, coral growth/success and reliability. I would run a blue strip such as reefbright for added actinic effect