Thinking about halides.

[A. grandis]

Magnetic MH ballasts are made to an ANSI standard. Every magnetic ballast should have one, except for chinese knockoff stuff. M80 is 250W HQI and M81 is 150W HQI ANSI standards. Each powers bulbs differently and with different wattage. 250W Electronic and 250w Magnetic M58 will drive a 250W Radium differently than a M80 and the color/performance will be different... usually bluer.

Some electronic ballasts have HQI settings and while this does power the Radium 20K a bit more, they still do not look the same. For optimum performance and results, drive the bulbs to spec.

Are there electronic and magnetic ballast for each type (M80, M81 and M58)?
Is the term HQI = DE?
What is the best ballast for the optimum performance of the Radium 250W?
How about the Radium the 400W?
What type of ballast is the Luxcore 250W?
And how about the 400W?
Grandis.

 

[Roy 9121]

You may be

I was thinking that may be a possibility. I also have a center brace that would block alot of light in the center

You may be able to get away with two fixtures, but you may want to go to 400 watt in that case.

 

[jda]

All DE should be HQI, but not all HQI are DE. 20K Radium in the 250 is made for the M80 HQI spec - this is the best ballast to drive it. Odyssea stuff that is DE are run on normal SE ballasts, which is another reason that they suck.

This is a good article, except that I would run any Radium 20K on the correct ballast for a year with no problems.
https://premiumaquatics.com/articles/radium

 

[A. grandis]

All DE should be HQI, but not all HQI are DE. 20K Radium in the 250 is made for the M80 HQI spec - this is the best ballast to drive it. Odyssea stuff that is DE are run on normal SE ballasts, which is another reason that they suck.

This is a good article, except that I would run any Radium 20K on the correct ballast for a year with no problems.
https://premiumaquatics.com/articles/radium

Good to understand about the Odyssea!
Thanks for the link. I actually had that and just minutes ago went back today to take a look.
So the options for Radium 250W and 400W are:
250w specs are as follows:
Lamp Wattage: 270w
Ballast Spec: ANSI Code M80 Magnet HQI
M80 Magnetic Wattage: 330w
Electronic 250w Setting: 245w
Electronic 250w “HQI” or Super Lumens: 300w

400w Specs are as follows:
Lamp Wattage: 360w
Ballast Spec: True European 230v HQI Ballast – Not available in US
PFO HQI (Son Agro 430) Wattage: 470w
Electronic 400w Setting: 425w
Electronic 400w “HQI” Or Super Lumens: 450w

So could I choose either the Luxcore 250W or the Luxcore 400W for the Radium 250W bulbs and would run the Super Lumens on the 250W ballast or the 250W HQI on the 400W ballast?

Does the expression "Super Lumens" means same as "HQI" for the ballasts? If so, why they put different names?

What type is the electronic Luxcore 250W (M80,M81, M85)?
And what bulbs should we use it for it's respective choices (150W, 175W, 250W, Super lumens)?
What about the electronic Luxcore 400W (250, 250HQI, 400W, upper Lumens)?

What does exactly the Luxcore ballast do when changing from 250W to 250HQI?

What's the ultimate best ballast brand/type option for the Radium 250W achieve it's best performance?

I'm sorry for all the questions, but I believe many of us here really need to learn all that.
Grandis.

 

[reefndude]

You may be

You may be able to get away with two fixtures, but you may want to go to 400 watt in that case.

Gonna start with two 400 w and.see how it goes

 

[A. grandis]

More questions specifically about the SE bulbs...
Could you please let me know what would be the best ballast Brands/models/dial choices for the SE bulbs bellow:

Megachrome Marine 250W 12500K - 250W SE M80 (mogul)

Megachrome Cora 250W 14500K - 250W SE M80 (mogul)

Megachrome Crystal 250W 17500K - 250W SE M80 (mogul)

Megachrome Blue 250W 21000K - 250W SE M80 (mogul)

Radium 250W 20K (Germany) - 250W HQI ballast

Phoenix 250W 14K (Japan) - electronic, HQI or pulse start

Hamilton SE

• Use with 150 watt HQI ballast with ANSI code M81 or 150watt Electronic ballast
• Use with 175 watt Probe ballast with ANSI code M57 or 175 watt Electronic ballast
• Use with 250 watt Probe ballast with ANSI code M58 or 250 watt Electronic ballast
• Use with 400 watt Magnetic ballast with ANSI code M59 or 400 watt Electronic ballast
• Use with 1000 watt Probe ballast with ANSI code M47 or 1000 Watt Electronic Ballast

Ushio 250W 20K - electronic ballast or pulse start

Thanks!
Grandis.

 

[DSC reef]

Wouldn't this info be on the websites of these manufacturers? Not trying to be combative here at all, just seems like a bit of derailing of the thread. Good info though @jda

 

[jda]

Radium 20K on 250w will get the best results on a M80 ballast. They are magnetic. Hamilton can get you one... there are others too. Electronic ballasts do not have ANSI standards - they are different, but they will fire and drive the bulbs. Luxcore has no ANSI standard. The HQI setting on an electronic ballast will put in more wattage, but they are not the same as a M80 ballast - they look different to the naked eye and the output is not quite as much... they are good, but not as good.

The Giesmanns above will need 250w magnetic ballasts, either probe or pulse start - they will say. They can be drive by electronic 250W ballasts, but differently. They can also be driven by M80, which will overdrive them - this usually makes them a bit whiter.

 

[A. grandis]

Wouldn't this info be on the websites of these manufacturers? Not trying to be combative here at all.

Yeah, I tried to look for the specific numbers like M80, etc..
Many sites list the ballasts and bulbs differently.
That's why I decided to ask here.
I've talked to many people and they get all confused because of so many different info.
Besides, they can list whatever they want to sell as "ok", but if the performance will be compromised it should be specified.
I hope we can solve the problem once for all here!
Grandis.

 

[A. grandis]

Radium 20K on 250w will get the best results on a M80 ballast. They are magnetic. Hamilton can get you one... there are others too. Electronic ballasts do not have ANSI standards - they are different, but they will fire and drive the bulbs. Luxcore has no ANSI standard. The HQI setting on an electronic ballast will put in more wattage, but they are not the same as a M80 ballast - they look different to the naked eye and the output is not quite as much... they are good, but not as good.

The Giesmanns above will need 250w magnetic ballasts, either probe or pulse start - they will say. They can be drive by electronic 250W ballasts, but differently. They can also be driven by M80, which will overdrive them - this usually makes them a bit whiter.

So basically to get the 250W Radiums we should use magnetic and the Giesemann electronic for their best!

Could you please tell us what you think about the old PFO ballasts? I think they were magnetic, right? And those would be great for the Radiums?
What other magnetic ballasts should we consider for the Radiums 250w bulbs, please?

Grandis.

 

[DSC reef]

Yeah, I tried to look for the specific numbers like M80, etc..
Many sites list the ballasts and bulbs differently.
That's why I decided to ask here.
I've talked to many people and they get all confused because of so many different info.
Besides, they can list whatever they want to sell as "ok", but if the performance will be compromised it should be specified.
I hope we can solve the problem once for all here!
Grandis.

I agree. Until I read it here on R2R I never knew what a difference a ballast can make on certain bulbs.

 

[3mm3]

So basically to get the 250W Radiums we should use magnetic and the Giesemann electronic for their best!

Could you please tell us what you think about the old PFO ballasts? I think they were magnetic, right? And those would be great for the Radiums?
What other magnetic ballasts should we consider for the Radiums 250w bulbs, please?

Grandis.

For 250w I would use reeflex cube if you can find them.

 

[A. grandis]

For 250w I would use reeflex cube if you can find them.

Oh man! Those were the best!!
Good memory!
Do you have them running?
Pics, please.
Grandis.

 

[3mm3]

Oh man! Those were the best!!
Good memory!
Do you have them running?
Pics, please.
Grandis.

I do not have mine setup its currently collecting dust. However it will be pushing Phoenix 14k over a new frag tank.
On my display I use luxcore and phoenix 14k bulbs.

 

[A. grandis]

I got a pic of the animal!!! ;Wideyed

FROM:
http://www.saltycritter.com/lighting/aqua-medic/reeflex-metal-halide-ballast.htm

Grandis

 

[jda]

I have a bunch of those - 6 running and 3-4 more in the box for backups. They used to be like $80 too. AquaMedic were dumb for stopping to produce them.

 

[reefndude]

I am definitely excited to try out halides. Learned a lot

 

[DSC reef]

It's a pleasing natural look. I think you'll enjoy it.

 

[reefndude]

That's what I am going for. T5 fixture is already sold. Should have everything I need next week

 

[reefndude]

One more question. Just noticed the lumen bright reflector comes in a mini and large. I'm assuming large is the way to go or does height of fixture make a bigger difference? The mini would fit the package better but also have enough room large.