Am I crazy for thinking MH + t5 ?

[DSC reef]

Another interesting issue has cropped up. Any circuit I plug the T5 into, the gfci trips after an hour or two. Even though I'm nowhere near the 15A per circuit limit.

Original circuit was at 10A, with only an apex eb832 plugged into it. I ran this circuit myself with 12ga wire, 15A breaker and 15A outlet.

Next circuit, 9A with the T5, again a whole separate circuit I ran. A totally different eb832. Same result.

Lastly plugged into a wall outlet, this circuit has only a lamp and some recessed lights on it. Same result. (I know all the lights and outlets on my circuit.) This outlet also has a gfci outlet I installed since its next to a tank.

I knew something was up. That light should be pretty bright. I've seen one with one 250 watt that was brighter than my fixture.

 

[A. grandis]

Another interesting issue has cropped up. Any circuit I plug the T5 into, the gfci trips after an hour or two. Even though I'm nowhere near the 15A per circuit limit.

Original circuit was at 10A, with only an apex eb832 plugged into it. I ran this circuit myself with 12ga wire, 15A breaker and 15A outlet.

Next circuit, 9A with the T5, again a whole separate circuit I ran. A totally different eb832. Same result.

Lastly plugged into a wall outlet, this circuit has only a lamp and some recessed lights on it. Same result. (I know all the lights and outlets on my circuit. This outlet also has a gfci outlet I installed since its next to a tank.

But can you turn T5s on right after they shut off?
Definitely something is wrong. Maybe the wiring/ ballasts/grounding (?).
The T5 ballasts are probably electronic and it's having a heating issue (?).
Sorry about all the trouble. They will take care of it though.
They should give you a refund label so you could send the fixture back with no cost to you and send you a new fixture.
Edit: don't forget to ask about the upgrade (electronic ballast and Radium). Ask them what would be the best of their ballasts for Radiums. Ask about changing for the LuXcore ballast too. What would be the best option for that fixture. You want to get the best out of it for your business, not average. And run cooler ballast, more efficient... Remember that PAR is only part of the equation.
Grandis.

 

[DSC reef]

Yes, this forum is the best!
They will certainly tell you what's up and please ask them about changing the ballast and bulb for efficiency and see what they suggest. Good luck, my friend.
Grandis.

They only suggest the m80 ballast so you can run the radium bulb.

 

[BoomCorals]

Longest weekend ever lol. Hopefully hear from Hamilton tomorrow. I might also contact BRS to see about returning it now that the gfci trip issue has come up. If I do i might go with the cozumel sun pendants and 400w radium/luxcore. Or maybe the giesemann spectra. I want to have at least one halide frag tank in my arsenal, so I'm not giving up lol.

 

[A. grandis]

They only suggest the m80 ballast so you can run the radium bulb.

Oh, ok...
Grandis.

 

[A. grandis]

Longest weekend ever lol. Hopefully hear from Hamilton tomorrow. I might also contact BRS to see about returning it now that the gfci trip issue has come up. If I do i might go with the cozumel sun pendants and 400w radium/luxcore. Or maybe the giesemann spectra. I want to have at least one halide frag tank in my arsenal, so I'm not giving up lol.

Of course they will accept the return.
Everything will be fine.
Grandis.

 

[lazcub]

I run a giesmann spectra 3 radium 250 s and 4 t5s with let supplements . I am very happy the corals are happy.

 

[rockskimmerflow]

Another interesting issue has cropped up. Any circuit I plug the T5 into, the gfci trips after an hour or two. Even though I'm nowhere near the 15A per circuit limit.

Original circuit was at 10A, with only an apex eb832 plugged into it. I ran this circuit myself with 12ga wire, 15A breaker and 15A outlet.

Next circuit, 9A with the T5, again a whole separate circuit I ran. A totally different eb832. Same result.

Lastly plugged into a wall outlet, this circuit has only a lamp and some recessed lights on it. Same result. (I know all the lights and outlets on my circuit.) This outlet also has a gfci outlet I installed since its next to a tank.

You know what is crazy?? I had that exact same issue with the only hamilton brand ballast I've ever owned. Again, don't want to bash them because I figured mine was an isolated incident, but my very first T5HO reef light about 8 years ago was a 6 bulb hamilton unit. And it went in the trash after 3 weeks because it tripped a 20A circuit randomly and repeatedly while only pulling about 3 amps. Swapped it in for a 2 pendant halide and T5 setup from another manufacturer that pulled 800 watts and the circuit never once tripped again. I blame the Hamilton ballast 100 percent for that issue since it was the only thing that has ever tripped that circuit without warning or even approaching its current limit. You need a refund on that system and if you can get one, I'd recommend a individual pendant setup for future flexibility and way better light deliver from an optimized reflector.

 

[BoomCorals]

You know what is crazy?? I had that exact same issue with the only hamilton brand ballast I've ever owned. Again, don't want to bash them because I figured mine was an isolated incident, but my very first T5HO reef light about 8 years ago was a 6 bulb hamilton unit. And it went in the trash after 3 weeks because it tripped a 20A circuit randomly and repeatedly while only pulling about 3 amps. Swapped it in for a 2 pendant halide and T5 setup from another manufacturer that pulled 800 watts and the circuit never once tripped again. I blame the Hamilton ballast 100 percent for that issue since it was the only thing that has ever tripped that circuit without warning or even approaching its current limit. You need a refund on that system and if you can get one, I'd recommend a individual pendant setup for future flexibility and way better light deliver from an optimized reflector.

BRS usually only exchanges for same item. Hoping they'll give me an exception and let me return the defective Hamilton and upgrade to the giesemann fixture. After seeing my buddy's earlier this week over his 4' frag tank and taking par measurements, it seems to be perfect for my intended application.

 

[A. grandis]

You know what is crazy?? I had that exact same issue with the only hamilton brand ballast I've ever owned. Again, don't want to bash them because I figured mine was an isolated incident, but my very first T5HO reef light about 8 years ago was a 6 bulb hamilton unit. And it went in the trash after 3 weeks because it tripped a 20A circuit randomly and repeatedly while only pulling about 3 amps. Swapped it in for a 2 pendant halide and T5 setup from another manufacturer that pulled 800 watts and the circuit never once tripped again. I blame the Hamilton ballast 100 percent for that issue since it was the only thing that has ever tripped that circuit without warning or even approaching its current limit. You need a refund on that system and if you can get one, I'd recommend a individual pendant setup for future flexibility and way better light deliver from an optimized reflector.

If you don't mind, could you please tell us more about your pendants/ballasts?
What reflectors you have and what ballast with what bulbs?
Thanks,
Grandis.

 

[A. grandis]

BRS usually only exchanges for same item. Hoping they'll give me an exception and let me return the defective Hamilton and upgrade to the giesemann fixture. After seeing my buddy's earlier this week over his 4' frag tank and taking par measurements, it seems to be perfect for my intended application.

My next built will be with halides/T5s!
I need to make some room in the house...
Grandis.

 

[A. grandis]

Here is the good video about the fixtures, so you can decide better.
Have fun!
Grandis.

 

[rockskimmerflow]

If you don't mind, could you please tell us more about your pendants/ballasts?
What reflectors you have and what ballast with what bulbs?
Thanks,
Grandis.

I personally run only 6 and 8 bulb T5HO fixures on my grow systems and holding tanks, but have a number of different halide setups running on client aquariums. Some I installed and others I've inherited/upgraded overtime. Currently running a variety of Current USA fixtures with Electronic ballasts and Aqua Medic DE pendants all with Reeflex cube HQI ballasts- Bought a bunch before they were discontinued and they're all still going strong some 7-8 years on. Also have one old set of Hamilton SE retrofits with their ballasts that I inherited when I took over care of client tank. Bulbs are a mix of XM 20k DE 250ws, Phoenix 14k DE 250W, and SE Radium 250w. I think there's also one random Ushio 14k I still have floating around out there. My favorite look is the XM 250w 20k DE with a couple strips of RB LEDs or blue plus T5s. Radium and Phoenix 14k are excellent without any supplementation, whereas the XMs are too purple to my taste. But when running additional 450nm peak T5s or LEDs the richness of the actinic spectrum from the XMs can't be beat. There may be other Giesemann or Ushio bulbs out there that I might like better, just haven't ever used many of their bulbs I have no way of knowing.

Most punch I have in a small form factor are the Aqua medic DE pendants with 250w 14k Phoenix bulbs. They really focus the light well and you have to keep them 10-14" off the water or stuff will get absolutely roasted below. The Current USA and Hamilton reflectors seem more forgiving when it comes to light spread and I run them much closer to the water line without ill effect.

 

[A. grandis]

I personally run only 6 and 8 bulb T5HO fixures on my grow systems and holding tanks, but have a number of different halide setups running on client aquariums. Some I installed and others I've inherited/upgraded overtime. Currently running a variety of Current USA fixtures with Electronic ballasts and Aqua Medic DE pendants all with Reeflex cube HQI ballasts- Bought a bunch before they were discontinued and they're all still going strong some 7-8 years on. Also have one old set of Hamilton SE retrofits with their ballasts that I inherited when I took over care of client tank. Bulbs are a mix of XM 20k DE 250ws, Phoenix 14k DE 250W, and SE Radium 250w. I think there's also one random Ushio 14k I still have floating around out there. My favorite look is the XM 250w 20k DE with a couple strips of RB LEDs or blue plus T5s. Radium and Phoenix 14k are excellent without any supplementation, whereas the XMs are too purple to my taste. But when running additional 450nm peak T5s or LEDs the richness of the actinic spectrum from the XMs can't be beat. There may be other Giesemann or Ushio bulbs out there that I might like better, just haven't ever used many of their bulbs I have no way of knowing.

Most punch I have in a small form factor are the Aqua medic DE pendants with 250w 14k Phoenix bulbs. They really focus the light well and you have to keep them 10-14" off the water or stuff will get absolutely roasted below. The Current USA and Hamilton reflectors seem more forgiving when it comes to light spread and I run them much closer to the water line without ill effect.

Thanks very much for sharing all that!
I hear so many people saying wonderful things about the Radium and Phoenix bulbs!
It is too bad many of the old brands of halide related equipment are discontinued.
Hamilton keeps innovating and still brings good stuff after so many years. I do appreciate that!
Thanks again!
Grandis.

 

[10Seconds]

Thanks very much for sharing all that!
I hear so many people saying wonderful things about the Radium and Phoenix bulbs!
It is too bad many of the old brands of halide related equipment are discontinued.
Hamilton keeps innovating and still brings good stuff after so many years. I do appreciate that!
Thanks again!
Grandis.

People discontinue what doesnt sell. And then when they dont market it, just LEDs, they give themselves an excuse to quit making it since it doesnt sell. No fish store I have ever been in has ever suggested MH or T5, but the workers of 2 of 3 locally both admitted they like it the best when I told them I was going that route anyways. They are just told to push LED too. Im going through the used section and buying up this "junk" that no one wants for pennys on the dollar so I will have a backup too, if it does stop being available.

 

[Centerline]

Do you really wanna know?

Ahhh... the question was rhetorical and the intent humorous.

Hope you didn't get hurt by this.
Is that enough?

That's what she said

 

[Centerline]

As well? Meaning just like?
Grandis.

I'm not sure at all if they (Radions) can grow coral just like a Radium. But they should do a good job. We will see. I am very pleased with the performance of my Hydra HDs over my 20 chalice / LPS tank. The only thing I'm a little concerned about is color shift from bright yellow to a greenish yellow on one of the chalice but over all I'm very happy. I do plan on changing the fixture to a 4 bulb T5 in a few weeks to see if I can get that yellow to shift back though.

 

[BoomCorals]

Good news thanks to @Bulk Reef Supply great service, the hamilton will be on its way back to verify it's having an issue and they will refund it. And I'm ordering the giesemann as a replacement today. While issues are rare, when things do happen it's great to have the good service BRS provides, and it's why I buy from them!

 

[BoomCorals]

I'm not sure at all if they (Radions) can grow coral just like a Radium. But they should do a good job. We will see. I am very pleased with the performance of my Hydra HDs over my 20 chalice / LPS tank. The only thing I'm a little concerned about is color shift from bright yellow to a greenish yellow on one of the chalice but over all I'm very happy. I do plan on changing the fixture to a 4 bulb T5 in a few weeks to see if I can get that yellow to shift back though.

I had radions for quite a while, SPS grew like weeds for me and they were always healthy and happy. Same can be said about the SB Reef Lights I had, and so far in the short month I've had them, the Kessils too.

 

[Velcro]

I had radions for quite a while, SPS grew like weeds for me and they were always healthy and happy. Same can be said about the SB Reef Lights I had, and so far in the short month I've had them, the Kessils too.

They are just ***** if you like any reasonable amount of white light. AB+ looks like a rave.