Disappointing MH PAR numbers?

[Knapp870]

@jda @alton I'm actually seeing numbers more in line with my bulbs than you referenced on Sanjays article here...

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-04/jb/index.php

Are you sure 1100+ isn't lux or something ?

 

[jda]

LUX would be something like 40,000 to 60,000. We are using good reflectors. That test did not.... just a plywood box painted black.

 

[Knapp870]

LUX would be something like 40,000 to 60,000. We are using good reflectors. That test did not.... just a plywood box painted black.

I'm just surprised a reflector could take it from 280-350 par to 1100+. If true, that to me says perhaps that is my issue then?

 

[jda]

Par meters are better now than 12 years ago too.

 

[Knapp870]

It's not really worth much but I have a 4 bulb 24" t5 over my 40 breeder running ATI bulbs and got 70-80 par on the egg crate about 14- 16" from the bulbs

 

[topjimmy]

I'm just surprised a reflector could take it from 280-350 par to 1100+. If true, that to me says perhaps that is my issue then?

Mine is in a Hamilton Belize sun fixture. The reflector is very nice, but I get the same numbers as you.

 

[oreo54]

https://www.advancedaquarist.com/2003/3/aafeature

Pretty easy to lose about 1/2PAR w/ flat reflectors..
In the above compare the white w/ the others..
White paint, flat aluminum are actually pretty close in light transmission..

 

[Acroporaaddict]

I'm having trouble locating my M80 ballast, so I only put the par meter under the Radium on electronic 250 hqi setting
These measurements are directly under the bulb, no supplemental lighting and all flow shut off. The Radium is 12" above the water surface. Reflector is Giesemann Spectra
Surface 490
2" 420
4" 360
6" 320
8" 280
10" 200
Below 10" the rock structure gets in the way of taking measurements

 

[Acroporaaddict]

Should note the bulb/ ballast combo on 250w hqi setting runs at 279w 2.5a

 

[Knapp870]

Should note the bulb/ ballast combo on 250w hqi setting runs at 279w 2.5a

279w is what I was seeing online. Thank you for that! 420 seems much more reasonable than 1100+ from what I'm seeing. I could see an older bulb plus junk for reflector putting me much closer to those numbers... Hmmm. Perhaps I need to gut it all and source reflectors and new bulbs and/or ballasts. I've done a little searching for both and didn't come up with much. My first sps isn't even till probably 6" below the surface

 

[Acroporaaddict]

279w is what I was seeing online. Thank you for that! 420 seems much more reasonable than 1100+ from what I'm seeing. I could see an older bulb plus junk for reflector putting me much closer to those numbers... Hmmm. Perhaps I need to gut it all and source reflectors and new bulbs and/or ballasts. I've done a little searching for both and didn't come up with much. My first sps isn't even till probably 6" below the surface

You will be surprised how much par the Radium ran on the correct ballast (m80 magnetic hqi) and a good reflector will put out. The reflector on my spectra, while better than flat polished aluminum is nowhere near as good as a multifaceted reflector like a lumenarc or lumenbrite

 

[Knapp870]

You will be surprised how much par the Radium ran on the correct ballast (m80 magnetic hqi) and a good reflector will put out. The reflector on my spectra, while better than flat polished aluminum is nowhere near as good as a multifaceted reflector like a lumenarc or lumenbrite

I just for the life of me cannot find m80 ballasts. :(

 

[Acroporaaddict]

Hamilton sells them directly

https://hamiltontechnology.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=180

 

[jda]

Also, I do not use any glass under my Radiums. This helps raise output too.

 

[Knapp870]

Hamilton sells them directly

https://hamiltontechnology.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=180

Yeah I saw those. I was more meaning used haha

 

[jda]

They are like gold. You probably will not find them used. The MH people snatch them up if they can find them. I will snatch them up if I can find them. Best way is to check eBay and CL early and often.

m80 puts about 330w to the bulbs... about 335-340 from the wall, give or take.

 

[oreo54]

They are like gold. You probably will not find them used. The MH people snatch them up if they can find them. I will snatch them up if I can find them. Best way is to check eBay and CL early and often.

m80 puts about 330w to the bulbs... about 335-340 from the wall, give or take.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-03/sj/index.php

Dang that's confusing... ;)
Honest question.. Why seemingly only one supplier of M80 ballasts?

 

[jda]

Like anything, probably a lot of reasons. The ones that I use are about a decade old and still running strong. HQI is a EU general purpose light, but not in the US - no synergy with GP lighting here. People also are fooled by the HQI settings on electronic ballasts and only know the difference if they come to a board. Hamilton sold so many last year that they sold out and were constantly on backorder. Ballasts, igniters and caps are both made in China and Germany, so gotta import both.

It is only faux confusion...about the same as chips, drivers, power supplies, lenses and the like... it all matters and if you take the time to know, then you know.

 

[rockskimmerflow]

I still curse myself for not buying like 20 of the Reeflex cube M80 ballasts when they were blowing them out for like 60 or 70 bucks each like 5 or 6 years ago. Sold my last pair to a client a couple years back and now I'm retiring the ones I personally use and going to the luxcores. So far it's been fine but a definite drop in performance from the magnetics.

I think people don't realize that underdriving a Radium not only dings its overall output but the spectral shift really hits what the PAR meter picks up since they tend to be a more subdued blue glow rather than a crisp bluish white when underdriven..... and they burn out a lot faster IME.

 

[JordanM]

Like anything, probably a lot of reasons. The ones that I use are about a decade old and still running strong. HQI is a EU general purpose light, but not in the US - no synergy with GP lighting here. People also are fooled by the HQI settings on electronic ballasts and only know the difference if they come to a board. Hamilton sold so many last year that they sold out and were constantly on backorder. Ballasts, igniters and caps are both made in China and Germany, so gotta import both.

It is only faux confusion...about the same as chips, drivers, power supplies, lenses and the like... it all matters and if you take the time to know, then you know.

@jda I sent you a message.