Who's using a Galaxy or Lumatek Adjustable Ballast?

[chris goetz]

I'm strongly considering purchasing a pair of these with some Lumenmax Elite refelctors and 250w Radiums for my 120g.

I'd like to hear some first hand comments from people who use these ballasts.

What are your thoughts on them?
Any issues/disappointments?
Would you buy them again or something else?

Chris

 

[ksc]

I have a Galaxy coming next week. Here are my Lumatek results:

So I finally got a chance to fire up the new Lumatek 250/400. Not as impressive as I had hoped but I'll probably get another one because of the flexibility. All the bulbs were tested in a brand new Lumenmax elite with the Apogee sensor 28" below the reflector. This was tested on a table so the sensor and reflector never moved.

I started with 14 year old Iwasaki 250 6500, run time unknown. Next was a 10 month old Radium 250 20k, then a brand new Radium 400 20k.

Results (this was the "sweet spot" that I found using the Iwasaki)

250 Iwasaki 65k, 250w setting- 805
250 Iwasaki 65k, 250w hqi------802
250 Radium 20k, 250w setting- 445
250 radium 20k, 250 hqi------- 443
400 radium 20k, 400 setting- 1024
400 radium 20k, 400 hqi--------- 1078

 

[EliteReefs]

i use galaxy ballast with radium bulbs and a very close reflector to the elite. i love the combo. i get GREAt color, very nice growth and a very consistent output and bulb life.

 

[JOSE CASAS]

Same ballast, but I have heard the customer service lacks with lumtek. Awesome ballast and Sunlight supply exchanges no questions asked!

 

[SPStoner]

Display tank: 200gal Marineland DD tank 48Lx36Wx27H
lighting: 2X 400w Helios 20K in Lumenmax Elite reflectors, running on Lumatek digital ballasts. Bottom of reflectors are 6.5" from water surface, bulbs are 8 inches from surface.Bulbs are just over 1 year old, and were bought and installed on the same day. Also running 2XVHO Actinics (URI). Significantly higher PAR on the left side of the tank could be either bulb variations or because that ballast was warranty replaced by Sunlight Supply and they sent the newer, switchable version. Not sure, but quite a difference. Also, center brace creates a nice low light zone in the center. Some people do not like this, but I have found it to be handy having a low light zone. Day after these readings were taken I installed new Radiums on both sides and tank is considerably brighter now. Will need to take another set of readings at some point with these new bulbs.

 

[chris goetz]

i use galaxy ballast with radium bulbs and a very close reflector to the elite. i love the combo. i get GREAt color, very nice growth and a very consistent output and bulb life.

Which setting(250w or 250w HQI) are using for the radiums?

 

[chris goetz]

Display tank: 200gal Marineland DD tank 48Lx36Wx27H
lighting: 2X 400w Helios 20K in Lumenmax Elite reflectors, running on Lumatek digital ballasts. Bottom of reflectors are 6.5" from water surface, bulbs are 8 inches from surface.Bulbs are just over 1 year old, and were bought and installed on the same day. Also running 2XVHO Actinics (URI). Significantly higher PAR on the left side of the tank could be either bulb variations or because that ballast was warranty replaced by Sunlight Supply and they sent the newer, switchable version. Not sure, but quite a difference. Also, center brace creates a nice low light zone in the center. Some people do not like this, but I have found it to be handy having a low light zone. Day after these readings were taken I installed new Radiums on both sides and tank is considerably brighter now. Will need to take another set of readings at some point with these new bulbs.

Very nice tank, and tons of par all over(450! on the sand, yikes) and the Radiums were brighter. Are you set on the 400w or do you think you'd be ok with 250s?
I'm thinking 2 250s will be plenty for my 120g mixed reef and planned on having the reflectors(and glass shields) 12-15" off the water.

 

[droblack]

I am running one lumatek dimmable 250w ballast w radium bulb and lumenmax elite reflector. They should have programmable settings on these things. Plenty of light for my 76 gallon half circle, too much light at first. Haven't worked up to the HQI setting yet. Have no idea what my par readings are.

 

[SPStoner]

Very nice tank, and tons of par all over(450! on the sand, yikes) and the Radiums were brighter. Are you set on the 400w or do you think you'd be ok with 250s?
I'm thinking 2 250s will be plenty for my 120g mixed reef and planned on having the reflectors(and glass shields) 12-15" off the water.

I'm running 400's on the normal setting, but I may end up with 250's at some point. I had no idea this setup would generate this kind of par. On my old setup, i had 400w Radiums with PFO pendants / HQI ballasts and was no where near these readings.

 

[thecoralvault]

Can we get a neither choice?

 

[chris goetz]

Can we get a neither choice?

Is there another adjustable ballast(besides coralvue) that I should be looking at as well?
Or are you suggesting the adjustable ballasts are not a good choice?

 

[cmjreef]

I have a Galaxy coming next week. Here are my Lumatek results:

So I finally got a chance to fire up the new Lumatek 250/400. Not as impressive as I had hoped but I'll probably get another one because of the flexibility. All the bulbs were tested in a brand new Lumenmax elite with the Apogee sensor 28" below the reflector. This was tested on a table so the sensor and reflector never moved.

I started with 14 year old Iwasaki 250 6500, run time unknown. Next was a 10 month old Radium 250 20k, then a brand new Radium 400 20k.

Results (this was the "sweet spot" that I found using the Iwasaki)

250 Iwasaki 65k, 250w setting- 805
250 Iwasaki 65k, 250w hqi------802
250 Radium 20k, 250w setting- 445
250 radium 20k, 250 hqi------- 443
400 radium 20k, 400 setting- 1024
400 radium 20k, 400 hqi--------- 1078

Man, thats a pretty major difference between 250s and 400s (radiums). Granted the 250 is 10 mos. old, but wow! I wonder what kind of ratings a brand new 250 gets compared with a brand new 400. Ive actually been thinking about upgrading from 250s to 400w Radiums.

 

[efrain torres]

coralvue adjustable ballast with radium 400 coments

 

[Murfman]

We are raffling one at Reefstock in Denver, Saturday!!!!

 

[MikeB]

Can we get a neither choice?

I think what was meant was I am not using and adjustable ballast. Based on your poll question I really cant vote on this poll. The only people that can vote are the ones that have one of the two ballast.

Maybe and option like, "I don't use adjustable ballast"

 

[chris goetz]

I think what was meant was I am not using and adjustable ballast. Based on your poll question I really cant vote on this poll. The only people that can vote are the ones that have one of the two ballast.

Maybe and option like, "I don't use adjustable ballast"

Thanks, Mike. I thought of that, but the point of the poll/thread is for those using adjustable ballasts to speak up.
I'm not concerned with input from users using the standard galaxy/lumatek ballasts or someone something else entirely.

 

[stuckey_t]

Chris,

I just ordered one of the galaxy adjustable from sunlight supply to run one of my 250 radiums. As soon as I get it you are welcome to come check it out to see if you like the color output:angel: I'm not too worried about the par with 320 watts or so in hqi mode i know the coral growth will be there

 

[chris goetz]

Chris,

I just ordered one of the galaxy adjustable from sunlight supply to run one of my 250 radiums. As soon as I get it you are welcome to come check it out to see if you like the color output:angel: I'm not too worried about the par with 320 watts or so in hqi mode i know the coral growth will be there

I'm there, let me know when it arrives.

 

[iReefer]

so any update galaxy's guy

 

[iReefer]

no update?? well Im guessing people are more into LED now.