Whats the best ballast to run 250w phoenix 14k HQI on?

Nexenn · 03/13/2010, 10:59 PM

Like the title says... Was looking at getting a galaxy e-ballast but I've seen some conflicting evidence about coloration, lifespan, PAR, etc with running these on an e-ballast as compared to a magnetic M80.

Anyone care to comment?

James77 · 03/13/2010, 11:02 PM

They are meant to be run on a M80 ballast according to the manufacturer. Bright crisp white with a strong blue, and lots of par.

Nexenn · 03/14/2010, 12:51 AM

so will they look like an 18k bulb on an m80 like they do in all the pics i see on RC?

Nexenn · 03/14/2010, 09:23 AM

bump

James77 · 03/14/2010, 10:30 AM

Its really more of a 14k, it is a nice color with no real need for actinic supps- although it looks even better with them. If you want it bluer, use an electronic bllasts, but is has more of a monochromatic look to it. Using the M80, the Radium and Phoenix are almost identical in appearance.

HighlandReef · 03/14/2010, 11:24 AM

i just swapped out my ballasts to m80's, just like they said its a crisp white with a blue tone, i also suppliment with t5 actinics and its nice and brite now.
the phoenix 14k's were very blue on my old ballasts

Nexenn · 03/14/2010, 04:07 PM

I have an M81 ballast and I just ordered 2 phoenix 14k 150w. I like the 14k look and was kind of worried the phoenix 14k would be too blue (~18k) for my taste based on all the posts I've heard about them.

I was going to switch to a galaxy ballast in the future and run 250w bulbs instead of 150s. If I like the color of the phoenix 14k bulbs on my magnetic 150w ballast now should I get a blue wave ballast to run my 250s instead of a galaxy? The blue waves are magnetic HQI ballasts as compared to the galaxy being an e-ballast.

James77 · 03/14/2010, 05:10 PM

That would be the ideal ballast, and give you a color very similar-if not the same- to the 150w on M81 ballast. Galaxy ballasts will run them a bit higher than typical electronic ones, but it will still not be the same as running it on magnetic ballasts.

Nexenn · 03/14/2010, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James77

That would be the ideal ballast, and give you a color very similar-if not the same- to the 150w on M81 ballast. Galaxy ballasts will run them a bit higher than typical electronic ones, but it will still not be the same as running it on magnetic ballasts.

Thanks James. That brings up another question. Since the galaxy will burn the bulb higher (I assume you mean color temp) then wouldn't it reduce par? since, generally speaking, lower color temp bulbs give out more par.

The only other thing about this is that running the magnetic ballasts will produce more heat and consume more energy than the electronic ones if I am correct.

I also have another question about this. The blue wave ballasts have several options. A blue wave 2 and a blue wave 7. The Blue wave 2 has a pulse start option that the blue wave 7 does not have. I believe the phoenix bulbs don't require the pulse start. Is this correct and how does pulse start effect the phoenix bulbs?

grigsy · 03/14/2010, 05:46 PM

I like the 250 watt M80 HQI ballast best myself. I have used both M80 and electronic and recommend the M80 HQI ballast as the better ballast for not only PHX for for all HQI lamps. Better PAR, brighter and in my experience, HQI ballasts have been more reliable compared to electronic MH.

Nexenn · 03/14/2010, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grigsy

I like the 250 watt M80 HQI ballast best myself. I have used both M80 and electronic and recommend the M80 HQI ballast as the better ballast for not only PHX for for all HQI lamps. Better PAR, brighter and in my experience, HQI ballasts have been more reliable compared to electronic MH.

Can you comment on pulse start options? I don't think I'll be switching bulb manufactures much if at all. So if the phoenix bulbs don't need pulse start should I just go with the bluewave 7 over the blue wave 2? its an 80 dollar savings I should add. I'm just concerned about pulse start being a "hard start" on the bulb

Nexenn · 03/14/2010, 08:17 PM

bump

krestonc · 03/25/2010, 09:21 AM

i'm considering changing from a 150w to a 250w ballast myself. have you done that yet? what, if anything, did that require? (mod-wise)

Nexenn · 03/25/2010, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krestonc

i'm considering changing from a 150w to a 250w ballast myself. have you done that yet? what, if anything, did that require? (mod-wise)

I haven't done it yet but the bulbs are longer and have different shaped ends so you at least need to change out the sockets too

03/13/2010, 10:59 PM	#1
Nexenn Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 575	Whats the best ballast to run 250w phoenix 14k HQI on? Like the title says... Was looking at getting a galaxy e-ballast but I've seen some conflicting evidence about coloration, lifespan, PAR, etc with running these on an e-ballast as compared to a magnetic M80. Anyone care to comment?

03/13/2010, 11:02 PM	#2
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	They are meant to be run on a M80 ballast according to the manufacturer. Bright crisp white with a strong blue, and lots of par. __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater

03/14/2010, 10:30 AM	#5
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	Its really more of a 14k, it is a nice color with no real need for actinic supps- although it looks even better with them. If you want it bluer, use an electronic bllasts, but is has more of a monochromatic look to it. Using the M80, the Radium and Phoenix are almost identical in appearance. __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater

03/14/2010, 04:07 PM	#7
Nexenn Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 575	I have an M81 ballast and I just ordered 2 phoenix 14k 150w. I like the 14k look and was kind of worried the phoenix 14k would be too blue (~18k) for my taste based on all the posts I've heard about them. I was going to switch to a galaxy ballast in the future and run 250w bulbs instead of 150s. If I like the color of the phoenix 14k bulbs on my magnetic 150w ballast now should I get a blue wave ballast to run my 250s instead of a galaxy? The blue waves are magnetic HQI ballasts as compared to the galaxy being an e-ballast. Last edited by Nexenn; 03/14/2010 at 04:54 PM.

03/14/2010, 05:10 PM	#8
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	That would be the ideal ballast, and give you a color very similar-if not the same- to the 150w on M81 ballast. Galaxy ballasts will run them a bit higher than typical electronic ones, but it will still not be the same as running it on magnetic ballasts. __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater

03/14/2010, 12:51 AM	#3
Nexenn Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 575	so will they look like an 18k bulb on an m80 like they do in all the pics i see on RC?

03/14/2010, 09:23 AM	#4
Nexenn Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 575	bump

03/14/2010, 11:24 AM	#6
HighlandReef Chalice Monger Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: NW Indiana Posts: 1,163	i just swapped out my ballasts to m80's, just like they said its a crisp white with a blue tone, i also suppliment with t5 actinics and its nice and brite now. the phoenix 14k's were very blue on my old ballasts

03/14/2010, 05:46 PM	#10
grigsy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Posts: 2,307	I like the 250 watt M80 HQI ballast best myself. I have used both M80 and electronic and recommend the M80 HQI ballast as the better ballast for not only PHX for for all HQI lamps. Better PAR, brighter and in my experience, HQI ballasts have been more reliable compared to electronic MH.

03/14/2010, 08:17 PM	#12
Nexenn Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 575	bump

03/25/2010, 09:21 AM	#13
krestonc Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: SoCal Posts: 41	i'm considering changing from a 150w to a 250w ballast myself. have you done that yet? what, if anything, did that require? (mod-wise)