Halides question ....

Straight.Reefin · Feb 17, 2018

I currently run 3 (15inch) reef brite halide units with Phoenix 14K bulbs that are about 8 months old now...

I recently borrowed a Neptune par meter and kinda got unhappy results.....

Could this be because of the ballasts I’m using???

Bpb · Feb 17, 2018

Absolutely. You’re under driving them. Those are designed for an ansi code m80 hqi ballast. Hamilton makes a good one. Should increase your par by 30-40%

Straight.Reefin · Feb 17, 2018

Oh wow!!!! Okay thanks!!!

Straight.Reefin · Feb 17, 2018

This one?? Or should I get the reef brite one??

Bpb · Feb 17, 2018

That’s the one. But I’m not sure what orientation plug Reefbrite uses. May want to verify the plug won’t need a tetrofit

Straight.Reefin · Feb 17, 2018

Bpb said:
That’s the one. But I’m not sure what orientation plug Reefbrite uses. May want to verify the plug won’t need a tetrofit

Okay thanks! I’ll check.....would you recommend that one over the reef brite ballast?

greg 45 · Feb 17, 2018

The plugs are different. You might want to contact reefbrite and ask them if there ballast will get the job done.
Ask for Joy or Tullio they are very helpful in this situation .

Straight.Reefin · Feb 17, 2018

greg 45 said:
The plugs are different. You might want to contact reefbrite and ask them if there ballast will get the job done.
Ask for Joy or Tullio they are very helpful in this situation .

Okay I’ll do that and I’ll send them an email....thanks!

Straight.Reefin · Feb 17, 2018

I’m assuming if I’m under driving my current units now, that the reef brite ballasts will definitely get the par up

Bpb · Feb 17, 2018

The reef Brite ballast is not an m80 ballast. While higher quality than the oddysea, it’ll still under drive it. It’s not about what brand you’re picking. It’s about the actual amount of voltage the ballast is supplying. If reef Brite made an m80 it would be perfect, if you use a Hamilton m59 or electronic ballast...you’ll also be under driving. It’s purely a numbers situation. Not a brand problem

Straight.Reefin · Feb 17, 2018

Bpb said:
The reef Brite ballast is not an m80 ballast. While higher quality than the oddysea, it’ll still under drive it. It’s not about what brand you’re picking. It’s about the actual amount of voltage the ballast is supplying. If reef Brite made an m80 it would be perfect, if you use a Hamilton m59 or electronic ballast...you’ll also be under driving. It’s purely a numbers situation. Not a brand problem

Oh okay that makes sense ......well dang since the plugs don’t match up with the ballasts then I might be screwed

Bpb · Feb 17, 2018

Not screwed. There are ways to work around it. Unfortunately I can’t say because I never did it but I know it can be done with minimal effort or expense

Straight.Reefin · Feb 17, 2018

Bpb said:
Not screwed. There are ways to work around it. Unfortunately I can’t say because I never did it but I know it can be done with minimal effort or expense

Hahaha okay well that makes me feel better! I emailed reefbrite and asked also.....or hopefully someone else can help give me a solution! Thanks for the help!!

jda · Feb 17, 2018

All 250W DE bulbs need to be driven with M80. Call Hamilton. They will be able to get you the right ballasts and might even have a plug adapter for you. If not, then you can cut it and wire one up pretty easily. They are really helpful.

Straight.Reefin · Feb 17, 2018

jda said:
All 250W DE bulbs need to be driven with M80. Call Hamilton. They will be able to get you the right ballasts and might even have a plug adapter for you. If not, then you can cut it and wire one up pretty easily. They are really helpful.

Okay I will give them a call and see

I also sent an email to tulio the reef brite owner to see what they say also

Thanks [emoji1306]

jda · Feb 17, 2018

If nobody has a plug-in adapter, then some butt-end connectors, strip/crimp tool, shrink tube and a heat gun can be had at Harbor Freight or any other tool shop for pretty cheap. Every single fixture and plug that I have ever saw had black, white and green wires in them for easy splicing.

A. grandis · Feb 19, 2018

Straight.Reefin said:
Okay I will give them a call and see

I also sent an email to tulio the reef brite owner to see what they say also

Thanks [emoji1306]

What did Mr. Tullio say?
Grandis.

Straight.Reefin · Feb 19, 2018

A. grandis said:
What did Mr. Tullio say?
Grandis.

Calling this morning! I’ll give an update on what he says about the ballast [emoji1306]

Straight.Reefin · Feb 19, 2018

Tullio is awesome!!!! Such a good guy and talked to me awhile about my set up! I’m going to stay with my current ballast for now until they go out and then I will upgrade, and then I will add a reefbrite strip in near future....