Metal Halide Par question

[X-37B]

Awesome fixture, but keep in mind that not all MH bulbs are designed to operate in the vertical "Base Up" position.

Example - The Radium 20K can only be operated +-55 deg from horizontal per the datasheet and package label.

Thanks I forgot that. I plan on running 10K Ushios which are universal burn position.
I also have another 2 fixtures I can run Radiums on if I decide not to run this one.

 

[Rocks reef]

Sven, did you get that beast fired up last night?

 

[X-37B]

Sven, did you get that beast fired up last night?

No I'm waiting on a socket extender that's needed for the OG. It was designed for a 1000 wat bulb so the 250, 400, and 600's need the extender. Also just realized, a member above reminded me, the Radiums are horizontal burn position only. The Ushios are universal.
I have 2 horizontal reflectors and the vertical OG.
I picked up and old school 24×13×8" hood for $20 and will test it also.
It will take some time to come up with a way to mount the meridian to the OG and a fixture that supposts both.
I will get a par map and pic once the extender arrive in a few days and I will test all 3 together.
The RB sits on tabs.

 

[reef’r]

Got my RB fixture hung and fired up yesterday. Right now it’s probably around 15” above waterline so I’ll definitely be dropping it to somewhere around 10-12” to reduce spill. These are 20k aquabrite bulbs no filter on phone lense so it’s crazy blue. These bulbs in person are nice but I am probably going to try some 14k still

 

[Rocks reef]

No I'm waiting on a socket extender that's needed for the OG. It was designed for a 1000 wat bulb so the 250, 400, and 600's need the extender. Also just realized, a member above reminded me, the Radiums are horizontal burn position only. The Ushios are universal.
I have 2 horizontal reflectors and the vertical OG.
I picked up and old school 24×13×8" hood for $20 and will test it also.
It will take some time to come up with a way to mount the meridian to the OG and a fixture that supposts both.
I will get a par map and pic once the extender arrive in a few days and I will test all 3 together.
The RB sits on tabs.

Where did you order the extruded aluminum with the tabs at?

 

[Rocks reef]

Got my RB fixture hung and fired up yesterday. Right now it’s probably around 15” above waterline so I’ll definitely be dropping it to somewhere around 10-12” to reduce spill. These are 20k aquabrite bulbs no filter on phone lense so it’s crazy blue. These bulbs in person are nice but I am probably going to try some 14k still

Did the color shift as they warmed up? That is REALLY blue... wow

 

[X-37B]

Got my RB fixture hung and fired up yesterday. Right now it’s probably around 15” above waterline so I’ll definitely be dropping it to somewhere around 10-12” to reduce spill. These are 20k aquabrite bulbs no filter on phone lense so it’s crazy blue. These bulbs in person are nice but I am probably going to try some 14k still

Nice! Are you running the glass sheild? Also how hot does the fixture get with the glass sheild installed?
Yout right about spill as that's quite alot but rather normal for that fixture I would imagine.
Anyone else running the RB's with or without glass and how high are you mounting them.
My last halides were 14" off the surface and it worked well. Still quite a bit of bleed but still appears better and more concentrated than the current RB

 

[X-37B]

Where did you order the extruded aluminum with the tabs at?

All part were ordered from Tnutz.
They have been great for all my 8020 needs.
For the tabs I used the 2 hole connector. I used my table saw to cut them down. Not the nicest cut but but works and you wont see it. The correct blade would have made it look better.
The RB frame rides on the tabs and the tnut holds it in place.
Simple but works quite well.

 

[Rocks reef]

Great idea! I will do the same

 

[Rocks reef]

Got my RB fixture hung and fired up yesterday. Right now it’s probably around 15” above waterline so I’ll definitely be dropping it to somewhere around 10-12” to reduce spill. These are 20k aquabrite bulbs no filter on phone lense so it’s crazy blue. These bulbs in person are nice but I am probably going to try some 14k still

Does that how it looks in person or is it not that blue?

 

[reef’r]

Did the color shift as they warmed up? That is REALLY blue... wow

This is bulbs warmed up, at first they are yellowish white and no not at all this blue in person. It’s a very crisp whiteish blue idk hard to put colors into words. I’ll try and get some better pictures with some lenses

 

[reef’r]

Nice! Are you running the glass sheild? Also how hot does the fixture get with the glass sheild installed?
Yout right about spill as that's quite alot but rather normal for that fixture I would imagine.
Anyone else running the RB's with or without glass and how high are you mounting them.
My last halides were 14" off the surface and it worked well. Still quite a bit of bleed but still appears better and more concentrated than the current RB

Yes I currently have the shields in. It got pretty warm I only ran it for about 45 mins to an hour though, I’m going to look into some way of cooling I think. But I’ll determine once I have them running for hours at a time. And yeah the spill is heavy, hopefully lowering makes it a little more tolerable

 

[X-37B]

Yes I currently have the shields in. It got pretty warm I only ran it for about 45 mins to an hour though, I’m going to look into some way of cooling I think. But I’ll determine once I have them running for hours at a time. And yeah the spill is heavy, hopefully lowering makes it a little more tolerable

The mogals do not need the glass cover. It's there to protect the light from spray. I will run the glass if I run the RB just to protect the bulb.
Plus I will be running the 400 watt, 40% more power & heat , lol.

 

[X-37B]

Yes I currently have the shields in. It got pretty warm I only ran it for about 45 mins to an hour though, I’m going to look into some way of cooling I think. But I’ll determine once I have them running for hours at a time. And yeah the spill is heavy, hopefully lowering makes it a little more tolerable

The heats not an issue just don't touch the fixture, lol. If the tanks temp increases use a Tunze Aquawind.
My room with the 170 and 50 gets to 81-82 during the day in the summer due to its location next to the garage and rear sliding door.
House stays 72 except for that room.
The 170 will get to 82 without the fan. Tank temp set at 77. With the fan the tank never goes over 78 even when the room is 82.

 

[Rocks reef]

@bobnicaragua would you mind posting a tank pic of just the halides on? You said the twin arc 20k aren't as blue as the Hamilton or Aqua Bright 20k. I don't want a blue tank. The look I'm going for is like when I ran Phoenix 14k bulbs, crisp white with a hint of blue yet still made corals "pop".

 

[X-37B]

@bobnicaragua would you mind posting a tank pic of just the halides on? You said the twin arc 20k aren't as blue as the Hamilton or Aqua Bright 20k. I don't want a blue tank. The look I'm going for is like when I ran Phoenix 14k bulbs, crisp white with a hint of blue yet still made corals "pop".

This is the look I'm after with 10Ks and led supemental.

The 22lb OG fixtures safety glass is 1/8" tempered and 40% of the weight, crazy!
10K bulbs with leds is the only way I can run this fixture.

 

[bobnicaragua]

@bobnicaragua would you mind posting a tank pic of just the halides on? You said the twin arc 20k aren't as blue as the Hamilton or Aqua Bright 20k. I don't want a blue tank. The look I'm going for is like when I ran Phoenix 14k bulbs, crisp white with a hint of blue yet still made corals "pop".

20K Reefbrite twin arcs no filter (LEDs off): These pics are right on as far as real life color goes.

 

[Reefering1]

Got my RB fixture hung and fired up yesterday. Right now it’s probably around 15” above waterline so I’ll definitely be dropping it to somewhere around 10-12” to reduce spill. These are 20k aquabrite bulbs no filter on phone lense so it’s crazy blue. These bulbs in person are nice but I am probably going to try some 14k still

What bulb and ballast is this?

 

[Rocks reef]

This is bulbs warmed up, at first they are yellowish white and no not at all this blue in person. It’s a very crisp whiteish blue idk hard to put colors into words. I’ll try and get some better pictures with some lenses

Did you get a different pic of the halides sir?

 

[Rocks reef]

20K Reefbrite twin arcs no filter (LEDs off): These pics are right on as far as real life color goes.

That looks really good!! It looks like white with a hint of blue, is that how it looks in real life?