Crazy lighting!

Cody Ray · 12/26/2006, 02:20 AM

Well for Christmas I recieved a 250watt 20K XM SE retrofit kit with electronic ballast. Although this was nice I decided that I wanted more so I installed a 150watt 14K ushio DE HQIballast halide into the reflector. With both bulbs running I get a nice white look and TONS of shimmer lines. Something that I have noticed in the past 10 minutes is that 1 of the bulbs changes spectrum slightly. This creates an awesome cloud affect as the tank darkens for a few seconds then brightens. I will have to do a video for everyone

jacmyoung · 12/26/2006, 03:33 PM

If this is the special effect you seek, there are capacitor dealers that can retrofit your ballast so the MH light output can be reduced to less than half that also saves power when in low light, it can be set on a timer or motion sensor.

But if the light output is shifting on its own I would think something is wrong with the setup.

gcarroll · 12/26/2006, 04:02 PM

Cody, do you have a pic of the mod that you made? I'm just curious if you are using a UV filter with that 150 watt DE bulb.

12/26/2006, 02:20 AM	#1
Cody Ray Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 5,101	Crazy lighting! Well for Christmas I recieved a 250watt 20K XM SE retrofit kit with electronic ballast. Although this was nice I decided that I wanted more so I installed a 150watt 14K ushio DE HQIballast halide into the reflector. With both bulbs running I get a nice white look and TONS of shimmer lines. Something that I have noticed in the past 10 minutes is that 1 of the bulbs changes spectrum slightly. This creates an awesome cloud affect as the tank darkens for a few seconds then brightens. I will have to do a video for everyone __________________ Limit 1 stupid question per day Current Tank Info: Mr. Aqua 7.5g bowfront

12/26/2006, 04:02 PM	#3
gcarroll Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Orange, CA Posts: 9,666	Cody, do you have a pic of the mod that you made? I'm just curious if you are using a UV filter with that 150 watt DE bulb. __________________ Greg Carroll I will be at REEF-A-PALOOZA! SPS = Stability Promotes Success Be wary of advice coming from those who will not show you the fruits of their success! Current Tank Info: building: 250g AGE Euro tank, Abyzz A200, Vertex Supra-G filtration, Ecotech Radion Pro LEDs, ...

12/26/2006, 03:33 PM	#2
jacmyoung Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 1,421	If this is the special effect you seek, there are capacitor dealers that can retrofit your ballast so the MH light output can be reduced to less than half that also saves power when in low light, it can be set on a timer or motion sensor. But if the light output is shifting on its own I would think something is wrong with the setup.