how much life do HQI ballasts drain from SE bulbs?

E-A-G-L-E-S · 01/27/2006, 10:24 AM

how much less will a 250W SE last on a HQI ballast?

phishlet · 01/27/2006, 08:07 PM

a lot will depend on what kind of lamps you run. AB and Ushio lamps should last nearly as long as on a standard magnetic ballasts. Some of the lower quality lamps out their will color shift a lot sooner.

I run AB 10ks on my PFO HQI ballasts and switch them out every 12 months. I used to use Ushio but prefer the color of AB.

E-A-G-L-E-S · 01/27/2006, 08:08 PM

i was told by Reef Exotics that the CV ReefLux's may only last 2-3 months on PFO HQI ballast?
Did he maybe just say that because they don't sell HQI ballasts?

VaderWS6 · 01/27/2006, 08:25 PM

I've heard that the Iwasakis will last just as long on the HQI as the standard ballast. Currently I'm running XM 10k's, so I'll let you know if I see any color shifts over the next few months. If so, at least I've got a set of brand new Iwasakis to replace them with.

moonpod · 01/27/2006, 08:59 PM

higher K bulbs are less stable than lower K as a generality with "HQI" ballasts.

The Reefexotics guy is probably being straight up with you. The bulbs that tolerate it the best are the "10k" european and japanese pulse start bulbs. And the 'sakis. It's very, very hard to kill 'sakis. The newer chinese import bulbs...I wouldn't hold your breath. Then again, even radiums (a european bulb) is known for dieing relatively quickly on the HQI ballast.

E-A-G-L-E-S · 01/27/2006, 09:04 PM

i guess i'll just have to see.....i love the color on these.
will i be able to notice the color shift/dying?

moonpod · 01/27/2006, 09:09 PM

the color shifting yes. The output no. It takes a significant drop usually before it's "obvious".

E-A-G-L-E-S · 01/27/2006, 09:11 PM

so when it starts to shift....is that time to replace?
thanks for the help

moonpod · 01/27/2006, 09:28 PM

Well, now that depends. If you still like the look it's fine. If you can't take the look, then change 'em. Decreased output usually isn't too far behind though usually.

My personal suggestion if you are dead set on going the M80 with 250w SE route: buy some quality bulbs and don't worry about it.

E-A-G-L-E-S · 01/27/2006, 09:30 PM

does it typically shift down or up in kelvin?

VaderWS6 · 01/27/2006, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by E-A-G-L-E-S
does it typically shift down or up in kelvin?

Down in kelvin. Hey, do you live anywhere near Frazer? My gf lives in Frazer, and I know Lehigh is close by.

01/27/2006, 10:24 AM	#1
E-A-G-L-E-S Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 7,038	how much life do HQI ballasts drain from SE bulbs? how much less will a 250W SE last on a HQI ballast?

01/27/2006, 08:07 PM	#2
phishlet Premium Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,458	a lot will depend on what kind of lamps you run. AB and Ushio lamps should last nearly as long as on a standard magnetic ballasts. Some of the lower quality lamps out their will color shift a lot sooner. I run AB 10ks on my PFO HQI ballasts and switch them out every 12 months. I used to use Ushio but prefer the color of AB. __________________ (reef a quar i um) n: Water-filled enclosure where a constant supply of money is thrown. Current Tank Info: 350 gallon Hex; 8 gallon nano

01/27/2006, 08:08 PM	#3
E-A-G-L-E-S Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 7,038	i was told by Reef Exotics that the CV ReefLux's may only last 2-3 months on PFO HQI ballast? Did he maybe just say that because they don't sell HQI ballasts? __________________ Smug Egotistical Contemptuous It's difficult to get a man to understand something that his salary requires him not to.

01/27/2006, 08:25 PM	#4
VaderWS6 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Kentucky Posts: 1,644	I've heard that the Iwasakis will last just as long on the HQI as the standard ballast. Currently I'm running XM 10k's, so I'll let you know if I see any color shifts over the next few months. If so, at least I've got a set of brand new Iwasakis to replace them with. __________________ 2001 black T/A WS6~M6 ASC#6979 331rwhp/348rwtq Mods: !CAGS, Pro 5.0, TSP lid, BGRA, Raptor shift light, Strange 4.10 gears, Strano springs, SLP Bilstein shocks, GMMG exhaust Current Tank Info: Main reef:75 gallon w/ 2 250watt Radium 20k run on a PFO dual 250watt HQI ballast w/Lumenbright mini reflectors. 4 110watt VHO actinics for dawn/dusk,Geo kalkreactor,Litermeter 3,Xtreme 160 skimmer,2 Vortech mp40w's

01/27/2006, 08:59 PM	#5
moonpod Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: B.H., Los Angeles Posts: 13,053	higher K bulbs are less stable than lower K as a generality with "HQI" ballasts. The Reefexotics guy is probably being straight up with you. The bulbs that tolerate it the best are the "10k" european and japanese pulse start bulbs. And the 'sakis. It's very, very hard to kill 'sakis. The newer chinese import bulbs...I wouldn't hold your breath. Then again, even radiums (a european bulb) is known for dieing relatively quickly on the HQI ballast. __________________ Excuses are just the nails for the house of failure. Current Tank Info: 32" Leemar starfire cube now empty and not quite so stinky

01/27/2006, 09:04 PM	#6
E-A-G-L-E-S Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 7,038	i guess i'll just have to see.....i love the color on these. will i be able to notice the color shift/dying? __________________ Smug Egotistical Contemptuous It's difficult to get a man to understand something that his salary requires him not to.

01/27/2006, 09:09 PM	#7
moonpod Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: B.H., Los Angeles Posts: 13,053	the color shifting yes. The output no. It takes a significant drop usually before it's "obvious". __________________ Excuses are just the nails for the house of failure. Current Tank Info: 32" Leemar starfire cube now empty and not quite so stinky

01/27/2006, 09:11 PM	#8
E-A-G-L-E-S Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 7,038	so when it starts to shift....is that time to replace? thanks for the help __________________ Smug Egotistical Contemptuous It's difficult to get a man to understand something that his salary requires him not to.

01/27/2006, 09:28 PM	#9
moonpod Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: B.H., Los Angeles Posts: 13,053	Well, now that depends. If you still like the look it's fine. If you can't take the look, then change 'em. Decreased output usually isn't too far behind though usually. My personal suggestion if you are dead set on going the M80 with 250w SE route: buy some quality bulbs and don't worry about it. __________________ Excuses are just the nails for the house of failure. Current Tank Info: 32" Leemar starfire cube now empty and not quite so stinky

01/27/2006, 09:30 PM	#10
E-A-G-L-E-S Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 7,038	does it typically shift down or up in kelvin? __________________ Smug Egotistical Contemptuous It's difficult to get a man to understand something that his salary requires him not to.