Another MH Question

bhammer · 01/19/2010, 08:49 PM

Okay, what bulbs would be the best for my setup:

3 Lumatek 250W Ballasts
3 Sunlight Supply Lumen Max Elite HQI 250W Fixture

I don't like the yellowish of the 10K bulbs and 20K bulbs are too blue. I would like to find a happy medium for growth and color.

What bulbs provide the best PAR for my setup if you happen to know?

thanks....

grigsy · 01/19/2010, 08:54 PM

If you are looking for the "best PAR" from a DE HQI 250 watt bulb, dont use an electronic ballast. You should use an M80 250 watt HQI ballast.

That will make a big difference in the PAR ratings.

Most HQI 250 watt 10K bulbs will appear ice white on an HQI M80 ballast. Ushio makes a good 250 watt 10K DE HQI bulb.

If you want more color, try Phoenix.

bhammer · 01/19/2010, 09:23 PM

Thanks for the feedback. Already have the ballasts so not changing them and the tests that I saw showed them as good or better than the majority of M80s.

grigsy · 01/19/2010, 09:32 PM

Not when I ran them.

The Par from the M80 ballasts with Apogee meter was killing the Lumatek - same bulbs and same reflectors.

That is not to say your set up wont be awesome. Just my opinion on the ballast.

Stick with what you have and maybe go with Phoenix.

01/19/2010, 08:49 PM	#1
bhammer Addicted User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 743	Another MH Question Okay, what bulbs would be the best for my setup: 3 Lumatek 250W Ballasts 3 Sunlight Supply Lumen Max Elite HQI 250W Fixture I don't like the yellowish of the 10K bulbs and 20K bulbs are too blue. I would like to find a happy medium for growth and color. What bulbs provide the best PAR for my setup if you happen to know? thanks....

01/19/2010, 08:54 PM	#2
grigsy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Posts: 2,307	If you are looking for the "best PAR" from a DE HQI 250 watt bulb, dont use an electronic ballast. You should use an M80 250 watt HQI ballast. That will make a big difference in the PAR ratings. Most HQI 250 watt 10K bulbs will appear ice white on an HQI M80 ballast. Ushio makes a good 250 watt 10K DE HQI bulb. If you want more color, try Phoenix.

01/19/2010, 09:23 PM	#3
bhammer Addicted User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 743	Thanks for the feedback. Already have the ballasts so not changing them and the tests that I saw showed them as good or better than the majority of M80s.

01/19/2010, 09:32 PM	#4
grigsy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Posts: 2,307	Not when I ran them. The Par from the M80 ballasts with Apogee meter was killing the Lumatek - same bulbs and same reflectors. That is not to say your set up wont be awesome. Just my opinion on the ballast. Stick with what you have and maybe go with Phoenix.