Best match for 400w PFO HQI Ballast?

[ReefRockerLive]

I was wondering if anyone could recommend a SE bulb that would best match with a PFO 400w HQI ballast. I would prefer to get a bulb that produces a good amount of PAR and gives off a white-ish color with a hint of blue color. I will be using LA3 reflectors and I cannot add any type of supplement lighting.
I was looking at the ReefLux 10k and 12k. If possible can I get see some pics of what these look like when they are run with PFO 400w HQI ballasts?
If you have this same ballast, but different bulb, plz post a pic anyway. I'm open to new bulb suggestions.

Thanks

[smcooler]

you cant use the reeflux lamps with that ballast, the lamps only last for a month, then they just dont ignite anymore I have tried it Radium is you best bet with the hqi.


sm

[ReefRockerLive]

So does this ballast overdrive the reeflux too far and greatly shorten the life span or does it just not ignite?

I checked out the Radium bulbs and according to Sanjay's website, it does 147ppfd. For growth, how much of a difference does 147ppfd make with Reeflux 10k's 170ppfd?

What kind of color can I expect to get with the Radiums being run off this ballast?

[smcooler]

Reeflux are not ment to be run on this ballast it overdrives the lamps bigtime that's why it fails. Radiums will look white ice blue you will love them the only bad thing is the lamps start going bad at 4 months and the ballast is pushing 500 watt's that is why I switched to icecap. Heat was a real problem. hth


stan

[ReefRockerLive]

Wow, 4 months is pretty short and expensive considering how much these bulbs go for. What other options do I have for bulbs?

Stan, if you don't mind me asking, what bulbs are you running with your icecap ballasts?

[smcooler]

yes they sure are that's why I swiched, but they really are a great setup just lots of $$. I now use reeflux 10k. I tried XM 10k lamps with the hqi's they went in 2 weeks. Evc's held up the best but you still have to replace them sooner, you wont get a year out of any lamp with that ballast.


sm

[hahnmeister]

There are only a few 400wattSE bulbs that are high-pressure/HQI rated. The Aquaconnect 14,000K, the Aquamedic 10,000K, the Ushio 10,000K, 14,000K, and 20,000Ks (nepturion, non CWA models). The Helios might be HQI as well... not sure. Of those bulbs, if you wanted to run one alone, I would consider the Ushio 20,000K and Aquaconnect 14,000K. IF you mean 'whitish with a hint of blue' as in, you will be having other actinic/blue supplimentation, then the Ushio 14,000K would be my pick.

These are true HQI bulbs though, and they should give you close to a year of use between changes (the 10,000Ks should last even longer).

[ReefRockerLive]

How long do you think the Ushios will last with this ballast?

[hahnmeister]

which ones... the 10,000K, 14,000K, or the 20,000K?

[ReefRockerLive]

All of them...

[hahnmeister]

Well, I dont know for sure, but most HQI rated bulbs on HQI rated ballasts give over a year easily. The 14,000Ks are so close I would imagine they arent much different. The 20,000Ks are much bluer though... I would suspect 9-12 months tops.

[ReefRockerLive]

Sounds like I'd want 14k then, thanks!

[MSHUR]

I have tryBLV-14k on HQi ballast and they look pretty good. I think colorwise u better with Radiums.They look awesome on HQI.

[ReefRockerLive]

I have decided to go with 400w Icecap ballasts. MSHUR, do you think these ballasts would be considered HQI ballasts or SE ballasts?

Also, isn't BLV the same as Ushio bulbs?

[MSHUR]

I belive IC is e-ballast.But i've heard good think about them. Yes,blv is the same as ushios

[dippin61]

e-ballasts are not meant to run HQI bulbs. the best bet for HQI bulbs are mag ballasts i believe.

id run the helios 20k.. the color is perfect with no supps. off a PFO hqi ballast.

[phishlet]

How would you describe the differences between Radiums and Helios?

[dippin61]

compared side by side:

radium - dull blue
helios - sharp, crisp blue