20k Radium, T5's and HQI Ballast???

JSM · 12/04/2008, 08:53 AM

Currently I'm running 2 250w 10k XM's with 4 T5's and 2 110w VHO Actinics, would like to switch to 20k Radiums but am unsure of which HQI ballast is best and where to buy it???

Second question, what T5 bulb combo would be best with the Radiums and VHO's, I'd like the reds and yellows to really pop. Someone mentioned the Fiji Purple, I don't really know too much about it or even where to get it?

Thanks for your help.

Janna

dkh0331 · 12/04/2008, 08:57 AM

For the HQI ballast I run the Sunlight Blue Wave 7 - 250watt Remote Ballast (2 lights) with my Radiums.

I got mine from Premium Aquatics
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merch...unlightballast

JSM · 12/04/2008, 10:54 AM

Anyone else???

Janna

greenmonkey51 · 12/04/2008, 11:15 AM

Go to Sanjays site look up ballast numbers for radium bulbs. I think that PFO had the best numbers, but used the most extra energy.

yannicksjh · 12/04/2008, 12:03 PM

Greenmonkey is right on the money. One of the highest par ratings BUT also one of the highest energy comsumption. As well as overdriven bulbs = less life on bulb. Not at all knocking PFO balast (that's what i use) great quality ballast with no problems and great bulb performance! Guess it all depends on your demand. Later

greenmonkey51 · 12/04/2008, 12:06 PM

I have an Icecap e-ballast and I'm gonna try the radium. Supposedly they are pretty blue, but everyone has a different perception.

PaulErik · 12/04/2008, 12:32 PM

An HQI (ANSI M80) ballast will not overdrive a European spec or any lamp designed for a HQI ballast. It will operate them to spec. The Radium 250-watt lamp is recommended by the manufacturer to be used on a HQI (ANSI M80) ballast. All other ballasts underdrive this lamp (operate the lamp below wattage rating). Underdriving can cause the same results in reduced lamp life as overdriving a metal halide lamp.

JSM · 12/04/2008, 01:35 PM

Is the Bluewave 7 from Sunlight Supply a good ballast? I see they are quite a bit cheaper than the PFO, why such a big price difference?

Janna

JSM · 12/04/2008, 01:36 PM

Oh, I meant to ask, how do I get to Sanjays site?

Janna

PaulErik · 12/04/2008, 01:41 PM

The 250-watt PFO HQI ballast uses the same ballasts inside (ANSI M80). The only difference basically is the enclosure and disconnects.

PaulErik · 12/04/2008, 01:42 PM

Sanjay's lighting page: http://www.manhattanreefs.com/lighting

dkh0331 · 12/04/2008, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JSM
Is the Bluewave 7 from Sunlight Supply a good ballast? I see they are quite a bit cheaper than the PFO, why such a big price difference?

Janna

Mine have fired every day for the past three years without an issue. Better than the Energizer Bunny.

JSM · 12/04/2008, 02:12 PM

So basically I's be getting the same thing internal ballast for a lot less? Thank you all for your help!

Janna

PaulErik · 12/04/2008, 02:16 PM

Yes same internal ballast

JSM · 12/04/2008, 02:25 PM

I'm sorry for all the questions, but I'm trying to understand what the advantage of PFO is???

Janna

PaulErik · 12/04/2008, 02:36 PM

Nothing except the PFO uses a different disconnect (ballast output plug) designed for PFO pendents and retrofits.

GQuinn · 12/04/2008, 05:14 PM

I have been told PFO is no longer making metal halide ballast as they are concentrating on led lighting. The new Sunlight Supply ballast are now made in China, so I purchased an older style Bluewave 3 from Premium Aquatics that had the Advance ballast in it. I am very happy with it.

Gary

Paulairduck · 12/05/2008, 06:12 AM

20K Radiums and a Sunlight Supply Bluewave Ballast is a awesome combo.

PaulErik · 12/05/2008, 10:06 AM

Well if SLS did switch over to China for this ballast then it is not the same the PFO. Not many manufacturers make a true HQI (ANSI M80) ballast. Some of the ballasts coming from China are similar but are not designed to operate the same as the Advance brand ANSI M80 ballast which PFO uses.

JSM · 12/05/2008, 11:20 AM

I guess I should find out before I buy the SLS. Seems like it's always something.

Janna

JSM · 12/05/2008, 03:56 PM

I just spoke with ReefGeek who said the ballast is made in China but it is still an M80 ballast so would that not be the same as the PFO?? I'm starting to get confused.

Since PFO isn't making metal halide ballast what type of warranty are they offering? I'm assuming they will still honor anything that they made but was unsure.

Janna

PaulErik · 12/05/2008, 04:08 PM

PFO will provide/honor the full warranty. Not all ballasts are made equal. The Advance brand ANSI M80 ballast operates as a true European ballast but at 60Hz and off 120-volts. It is a HX (High Reactance) type. All of the Chinese ballasts Iâ€™ve run across are using a cheaper circuit. Utilizing a CWA (Constant Wattage Autotransformer) type ballast. Some of these cheaper ballasts will provide less usable lamp life due to a higher distorted current waveform. I canâ€™t really comment on the SLS ballast as itâ€™s new and I donâ€™t know what type it is. I personally would get the PFO because it has a well known ballast inside and works very well.

JSM · 12/05/2008, 04:22 PM

Paul,
Do you know how long the lamp life is on a PFO? Does it need to be replaced more often than a year? 10 months?

Janna

PaulErik · 12/05/2008, 04:29 PM

If you use lamps designed for PFO HQI ballast you should get a year or more out of them. That ballast is designed for use with Double-Ended and European single-ended lamps.

JSM · 12/05/2008, 04:32 PM

Thanks, you've been a lot of help!

Janna

12/04/2008, 08:53 AM	#1
JSM Premium Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Altoona, Iowa Posts: 890	20k Radium, T5's and HQI Ballast??? Currently I'm running 2 250w 10k XM's with 4 T5's and 2 110w VHO Actinics, would like to switch to 20k Radiums but am unsure of which HQI ballast is best and where to buy it??? Second question, what T5 bulb combo would be best with the Radiums and VHO's, I'd like the reds and yellows to really pop. Someone mentioned the Fiji Purple, I don't really know too much about it or even where to get it? Thanks for your help. Janna

12/04/2008, 08:57 AM	#2
dkh0331 Es gibt keinen ersatz Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Close to the edge, down by a river Posts: 3,581	For the HQI ballast I run the Sunlight Blue Wave 7 - 250watt Remote Ballast (2 lights) with my Radiums. I got mine from Premium Aquatics http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merch...unlightballast __________________ Just found out that grandpa has a drug addiction. He is addicted to viagra. No one is taking it harder than grandma.

12/04/2008, 10:54 AM	#3
JSM Premium Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Altoona, Iowa Posts: 890	Anyone else??? Janna

12/04/2008, 11:15 AM	#4
greenmonkey51 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 1,092	Go to Sanjays site look up ballast numbers for radium bulbs. I think that PFO had the best numbers, but used the most extra energy.

12/04/2008, 12:03 PM	#5
yannicksjh Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Windsor, Ontario, Canada Posts: 225	Greenmonkey is right on the money. One of the highest par ratings BUT also one of the highest energy comsumption. As well as overdriven bulbs = less life on bulb. Not at all knocking PFO balast (that's what i use) great quality ballast with no problems and great bulb performance! Guess it all depends on your demand. Later

12/04/2008, 12:06 PM	#6
greenmonkey51 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 1,092	I have an Icecap e-ballast and I'm gonna try the radium. Supposedly they are pretty blue, but everyone has a different perception.

12/04/2008, 12:32 PM	#7
PaulErik Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: North Charleston, SC Posts: 1,703	An HQI (ANSI M80) ballast will not overdrive a European spec or any lamp designed for a HQI ballast. It will operate them to spec. The Radium 250-watt lamp is recommended by the manufacturer to be used on a HQI (ANSI M80) ballast. All other ballasts underdrive this lamp (operate the lamp below wattage rating). Underdriving can cause the same results in reduced lamp life as overdriving a metal halide lamp.

12/04/2008, 01:35 PM	#8
JSM Premium Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Altoona, Iowa Posts: 890	Is the Bluewave 7 from Sunlight Supply a good ballast? I see they are quite a bit cheaper than the PFO, why such a big price difference? Janna

12/04/2008, 01:36 PM	#9
JSM Premium Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Altoona, Iowa Posts: 890	Oh, I meant to ask, how do I get to Sanjays site? Janna

12/04/2008, 01:41 PM	#10
PaulErik Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: North Charleston, SC Posts: 1,703	The 250-watt PFO HQI ballast uses the same ballasts inside (ANSI M80). The only difference basically is the enclosure and disconnects.

12/04/2008, 01:42 PM	#11
PaulErik Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: North Charleston, SC Posts: 1,703	Sanjay's lighting page: http://www.manhattanreefs.com/lighting

12/04/2008, 02:12 PM	#13
JSM Premium Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Altoona, Iowa Posts: 890	So basically I's be getting the same thing internal ballast for a lot less? Thank you all for your help! Janna

12/04/2008, 02:16 PM	#14
PaulErik Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: North Charleston, SC Posts: 1,703	Yes same internal ballast

12/04/2008, 02:25 PM	#15
JSM Premium Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Altoona, Iowa Posts: 890	I'm sorry for all the questions, but I'm trying to understand what the advantage of PFO is??? Janna

12/04/2008, 02:36 PM	#16
PaulErik Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: North Charleston, SC Posts: 1,703	Nothing except the PFO uses a different disconnect (ballast output plug) designed for PFO pendents and retrofits.

12/04/2008, 05:14 PM	#17
GQuinn Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 982	I have been told PFO is no longer making metal halide ballast as they are concentrating on led lighting. The new Sunlight Supply ballast are now made in China, so I purchased an older style Bluewave 3 from Premium Aquatics that had the Advance ballast in it. I am very happy with it. Gary

12/05/2008, 06:12 AM	#18
Paulairduck I LOVE FREE FRAGS!!! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Chino Hills Posts: 2,909	20K Radiums and a Sunlight Supply Bluewave Ballast is a awesome combo.

12/05/2008, 10:06 AM	#19
PaulErik Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: North Charleston, SC Posts: 1,703	Well if SLS did switch over to China for this ballast then it is not the same the PFO. Not many manufacturers make a true HQI (ANSI M80) ballast. Some of the ballasts coming from China are similar but are not designed to operate the same as the Advance brand ANSI M80 ballast which PFO uses.

12/05/2008, 11:20 AM	#20
JSM Premium Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Altoona, Iowa Posts: 890	I guess I should find out before I buy the SLS. Seems like it's always something. Janna

12/05/2008, 03:56 PM	#21
JSM Premium Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Altoona, Iowa Posts: 890	I just spoke with ReefGeek who said the ballast is made in China but it is still an M80 ballast so would that not be the same as the PFO?? I'm starting to get confused. Since PFO isn't making metal halide ballast what type of warranty are they offering? I'm assuming they will still honor anything that they made but was unsure. Janna

12/05/2008, 04:08 PM	#22
PaulErik Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: North Charleston, SC Posts: 1,703	PFO will provide/honor the full warranty. Not all ballasts are made equal. The Advance brand ANSI M80 ballast operates as a true European ballast but at 60Hz and off 120-volts. It is a HX (High Reactance) type. All of the Chinese ballasts Iâ€™ve run across are using a cheaper circuit. Utilizing a CWA (Constant Wattage Autotransformer) type ballast. Some of these cheaper ballasts will provide less usable lamp life due to a higher distorted current waveform. I canâ€™t really comment on the SLS ballast as itâ€™s new and I donâ€™t know what type it is. I personally would get the PFO because it has a well known ballast inside and works very well.

12/05/2008, 04:22 PM	#23
JSM Premium Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Altoona, Iowa Posts: 890	Paul, Do you know how long the lamp life is on a PFO? Does it need to be replaced more often than a year? 10 months? Janna

12/05/2008, 04:29 PM	#24
PaulErik Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: North Charleston, SC Posts: 1,703	If you use lamps designed for PFO HQI ballast you should get a year or more out of them. That ballast is designed for use with Double-Ended and European single-ended lamps.

12/05/2008, 04:32 PM	#25
JSM Premium Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Altoona, Iowa Posts: 890	Thanks, you've been a lot of help! Janna