Best bulbs for a 2x250w Hamilton SE MH w/ mag ballasts

supra23 · 01/29/2010, 11:58 AM

Throw in your .02! Much appreciated

E.intheC · 01/29/2010, 12:32 PM

there have been a lot of MH bulb choice questions lately. The answer will largely depend on what you're keeping and what your own color preference is.

I have the same fixture as you and so far my favorite bulb has been the Radium. Hands down. You have to determine if your ballast is a probe or pulse start, as the Radium will only work with one (I believe the pulse start, if I remember correctly).

Also, are you running supplemental actinics via T5, VHO, or LED? That will change my answer as well.

tboneman · 01/29/2010, 12:33 PM

I use xm 10ks with two overdriven ato blue plus t5's and think things look great! The xms were actually designed to run on magnetic ballasts and have a pure white color to them(no yellowish tint).

supra23 · 01/29/2010, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E.intheC

there have been a lot of MH bulb choice questions lately. The answer will largely depend on what you're keeping and what your own color preference is.

I have the same fixture as you and so far my favorite bulb has been the Radium. Hands down. You have to determine if your ballast is a probe or pulse start, as the Radium will only work with one (I believe the pulse start, if I remember correctly).

Also, are you running supplemental actinics via T5, VHO, or LED? That will change my answer as well.

Keeping mixed reef. SPS LPS limited palys/zoas.
Supplement lighting is PCs. Would like crazy growth with lots of blue as well
How do I determine if the ballast is pulse or probe start?

Quote:

Originally Posted by tboneman

I use xm 10ks with two overdriven ato blue plus t5's and think things look great! The xms were actually designed to run on magnetic ballasts and have a pure white color to them(no yellowish tint).

Have you used anything in the 20k range? I'm going for more blue

Thanks for both of your replies

E.intheC · 01/29/2010, 02:07 PM

I'm not sure how to determine that to be honest (other than looking up the information online). I couldn't do that because I bought the ballast used and all the labels haf come off the ballast. I'm assuming its hamilton but I can't tell really.

supra23 · 01/29/2010, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E.intheC

I'm not sure how to determine that to be honest (other than looking up the information online). I couldn't do that because I bought the ballast used and all the labels haf come off the ballast. I'm assuming its hamilton but I can't tell really.

Do you use supplement lighting with the Radium 20ks?

Sorry for all the questions but I'm trying to familiarize myself with MHs. Thanks for the help!

karsco · 01/29/2010, 02:28 PM

I ran the 10K XM's for years (on a Hamilton 250W, w. 65W actinic PC's Deluxe Hood) with the same setup. More than likely you have a magnetic probe start ballast, because that's what Hamiltons Hoods usually come with.

I have experience with the 10k XM's, and just recently changed out to a 14K Hamilton bulb. I really like the Hamilton bulb since it is more white/blue vs. a little yellower appearance with the 10K XM's. I have had heard real good things on the 20K XM's with a magnetic ballast.

karsco · 01/29/2010, 02:30 PM

Just an FYI, the 20K Radiums won't fire on a magnetic probe start ballast. I just tried it on mine last week, which is why I am getting ready to buy a new lighting setup. (Electronic Ballast & new reflector)

E.intheC · 01/29/2010, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by supra23

Do you use supplement lighting with the Radium 20ks?

Sorry for all the questions but I'm trying to familiarize myself with MHs. Thanks for the help!

I didn't suplement. On my new tank (electronic ballast) I'm going to use an Elos bulb with some blue LEDs by Powerbrite. Should be hot

wookie · 01/29/2010, 04:47 PM

supra23, open up the case, just a few csews to undo. the transformer should have a tag on it stating the type M58, M80, or M138.
these are "ansi" codes for 250watt ballasts which will help you narrow your choice of bulbs by just a few.

supra23 · 01/29/2010, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wookie

supra23, open up the case, just a few csews to undo. the transformer should have a tag on it stating the type M58, M80, or M138.
these are "ansi" codes for 250watt ballasts which will help you narrow your choice of bulbs by just a few.

Yeah, I've been at work all day and just checked- They're M58. Which apparently means no Radium 20ks, as they're pulse according to : http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-03/sj/index.php

Next best choice?
Thanks for your help

supra23 · 01/30/2010, 12:29 PM

^^^

wookie · 01/30/2010, 12:44 PM

found this,
http://www.aquarium-lighting-guide.c...al-halide-ansi

HOZER62 · 01/30/2010, 12:56 PM

Good info and nice link wookie!!!!

supra23 · 01/30/2010, 01:14 PM

Wow, very helpful link! Thanks wookie

Do you know of a similar, comprehensive site that covers PAR and more technical data? thx

wookie · 01/30/2010, 01:49 PM

google sanjay's reef lighting guide

01/29/2010, 11:58 AM	#1
supra23 Moved On Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 419	Best bulbs for a 2x250w Hamilton SE MH w/ mag ballasts Throw in your .02! Much appreciated

01/29/2010, 12:32 PM	#2
E.intheC Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 5,373	there have been a lot of MH bulb choice questions lately. The answer will largely depend on what you're keeping and what your own color preference is. I have the same fixture as you and so far my favorite bulb has been the Radium. Hands down. You have to determine if your ballast is a probe or pulse start, as the Radium will only work with one (I believe the pulse start, if I remember correctly). Also, are you running supplemental actinics via T5, VHO, or LED? That will change my answer as well. __________________ -Eric

01/29/2010, 02:07 PM	#5
E.intheC Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 5,373	I'm not sure how to determine that to be honest (other than looking up the information online). I couldn't do that because I bought the ballast used and all the labels haf come off the ballast. I'm assuming its hamilton but I can't tell really. __________________ -Eric

01/29/2010, 12:33 PM	#3
tboneman Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Verona N.J. Posts: 152	I use xm 10ks with two overdriven ato blue plus t5's and think things look great! The xms were actually designed to run on magnetic ballasts and have a pure white color to them(no yellowish tint).

01/29/2010, 02:28 PM	#7
karsco Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 645	I ran the 10K XM's for years (on a Hamilton 250W, w. 65W actinic PC's Deluxe Hood) with the same setup. More than likely you have a magnetic probe start ballast, because that's what Hamiltons Hoods usually come with. I have experience with the 10k XM's, and just recently changed out to a 14K Hamilton bulb. I really like the Hamilton bulb since it is more white/blue vs. a little yellower appearance with the 10K XM's. I have had heard real good things on the 20K XM's with a magnetic ballast.

01/29/2010, 02:30 PM	#8
karsco Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 645	Just an FYI, the 20K Radiums won't fire on a magnetic probe start ballast. I just tried it on mine last week, which is why I am getting ready to buy a new lighting setup. (Electronic Ballast & new reflector)

01/29/2010, 04:47 PM	#10
wookie Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Dundee Posts: 124	supra23, open up the case, just a few csews to undo. the transformer should have a tag on it stating the type M58, M80, or M138. these are "ansi" codes for 250watt ballasts which will help you narrow your choice of bulbs by just a few.

01/30/2010, 12:29 PM	#12
supra23 Moved On Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 419	^^^

01/30/2010, 12:44 PM	#13
wookie Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Dundee Posts: 124	found this, http://www.aquarium-lighting-guide.c...al-halide-ansi

01/30/2010, 12:56 PM	#14
HOZER62 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 60	Good info and nice link wookie!!!!

01/30/2010, 01:14 PM	#15
supra23 Moved On Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 419	Wow, very helpful link! Thanks wookie Do you know of a similar, comprehensive site that covers PAR and more technical data? thx

01/30/2010, 01:49 PM	#16
wookie Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Dundee Posts: 124	google sanjay's reef lighting guide