spectra amps

Joe0813 · 04/21/2018, 12:28 PM

Just bought a 72 inch giesemann spectra and was wondering how many amps these things draw. I have a 20amp circuit for the tank and want to make sure the fuse wont blow. im probably only drawing about 3 right now with everything going.

Joe0813 · 04/21/2018, 09:35 PM

would it be ok with putting the three MH on my apex and having one turn on then 15 minutes later another turn on and another 15 the last one turn on?

oreo57 · 04/21/2018, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe0813

Just bought a 72 inch giesemann spectra and was wondering how many amps these things draw. I have a 20amp circuit for the tank and want to make sure the fuse wont blow. im probably only drawing about 3 right now with everything going.

first what ballasts?

Quote:

Metal halide ballast sold separately. BRS suggests the Luxcore Electronic 250w or 400w Ballast.

2.12A per 250W ballast
6.36A for 3
Second power rating (draw) should be on them.. Add it up.
t5 ballasts about .37A @ 220 soo .74A (@110)x 4 = 3A there

roughly 10A.
No guarantee as to "real world" accuracy..nor if you got 400W ballasts..
Just back of envelope ciphering..

Joe0813 · 04/22/2018, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oreo57

first what ballasts?

2.12A per 250W ballast
6.36A for 3
Second power rating (draw) should be on them.. Add it up.
t5 ballasts about .37A @ 220 soo .74A (@110)x 4 = 3A there

roughly 10A.
No guarantee as to "real world" accuracy..nor if you got 400W ballasts..
Just back of envelope ciphering..

I got the luxcore 400 watt selectable. I'll be running them on 250hqi.

mcgyvr · 04/22/2018, 07:01 AM

Amps = watts/volts

Joe0813 · 04/22/2018, 09:09 AM

so i should be fine with connecting the light to the apex and having each MH turn on maybe ten minutes after the next. that way i wont get the power surge. i think, this is my first MH so im new

moondoggy4 · 04/22/2018, 11:11 AM

Apex sells a separate plug for MH but, I do not think that they are very useful, it has two plugs but they both go on at the same time. I have my MH on a old controller. I would recommend a AC Jr or Apex Jr that way you do not eat up valuable assets in the GHL controller, it is necessary to have a controller on MH. I may be wrong about the controller on a electronic ballast but having a rapid restart on MH is not good for a M80 ballast and probably not good for the bulbs either.

Joe0813 · 04/22/2018, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moondoggy4

Apex sells a separate plug for MH but, I do not think that they are very useful, it has two plugs but they both go on at the same time. I have my MH on a old controller. I would recommend a AC Jr or Apex Jr that way you do not eat up valuable assets in the GHL controller, it is necessary to have a controller on MH. I may be wrong about the controller on a electronic ballast but having a rapid restart on MH is not good for a M80 ballast and probably not good for the bulbs either.

Probably really stupid but whats an m80 ballast??

Joe0813 · 04/22/2018, 03:03 PM

Lights are all set up on the apex. Wasnt expecting them to be so hot. The three halides have been running for two hours and the tank temp already went up from 78 to 79.5, and my house is only 65 degrees

Mark SF · 04/22/2018, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe0813

Probably really stupid but whats an m80 ballast??

M80 is a standard magnetic ballast that was designed for use with Metal Halide bulbs such as the Radium bulb that has specific requirements.

I have been looking for the Lumatek LK400, which has the same options as the Luxcore but with a much better brand name, IMO. It appears that Lumatek has discontinued this ballast, too bad.

-Mark

Joe0813 · 04/22/2018, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark SF

M80 is a standard magnetic ballast that was designed for use with Metal Halide bulbs such as the Radium bulb that has specific requirements.

I have been looking for the Lumatek LK400, which has the same options as the Luxcore but with a much better brand name, IMO. It appears that Lumatek has discontinued this ballast, too bad.

-Mark

thanks for the help. I got 3 of the luxcore 400 watt selectable ballasts.

Mark SF · 04/22/2018, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe0813

thanks for the help. I got 3 of the luxcore 400 watt selectable ballasts.

I just picked up a Spectra 24" myself and will most likely be buying a Luxcore unless I can find some Lumatek's in good condition!

-Mark

Joe0813 · 04/22/2018, 04:58 PM

they are pretty easy to set up. Ive never ran MH just T5 and my radion gen 2s. the tank definitely will need a fan to keep it cool. the lights were only on for three hours and went up to 80. plugged in a fan and the temp dropped right back down to 78

Mark SF · 04/23/2018, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe0813

they are pretty easy to set up. Ive never ran MH just T5 and my radion gen 2s. the tank definitely will need a fan to keep it cool. the lights were only on for three hours and went up to 80. plugged in a fan and the temp dropped right back down to 78

So now that you’ve got the best in lighting, what bulb combo are you running?

I think the unanimous winner for MH is the Radium, which is why I bought the Spectra. Most of the research says that T5 actinic is the best spectrum blend for the Radium as the bulb doesn’t need any spectrum from a blue plus I.e. the 450nm range is huge!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Joe0813 · 04/23/2018, 12:14 PM

Three radiums, 2 actinics and 2 blue + but I'm thinking of getting 2 more actinics

04/21/2018, 12:28 PM	#1
Joe0813 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Boston strong Posts: 2,766	spectra amps Just bought a 72 inch giesemann spectra and was wondering how many amps these things draw. I have a 20amp circuit for the tank and want to make sure the fuse wont blow. im probably only drawing about 3 right now with everything going. __________________ Joe and Jenny Current Tank Info: 180 reef

04/21/2018, 09:35 PM	#2
Joe0813 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Boston strong Posts: 2,766	would it be ok with putting the three MH on my apex and having one turn on then 15 minutes later another turn on and another 15 the last one turn on? __________________ Joe and Jenny Current Tank Info: 180 reef

04/22/2018, 07:01 AM	#5
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Amps = watts/volts __________________ Who me?

04/22/2018, 09:09 AM	#6
Joe0813 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Boston strong Posts: 2,766	so i should be fine with connecting the light to the apex and having each MH turn on maybe ten minutes after the next. that way i wont get the power surge. i think, this is my first MH so im new __________________ Joe and Jenny Current Tank Info: 180 reef

04/22/2018, 03:03 PM	#9
Joe0813 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Boston strong Posts: 2,766	Lights are all set up on the apex. Wasnt expecting them to be so hot. The three halides have been running for two hours and the tank temp already went up from 78 to 79.5, and my house is only 65 degrees __________________ Joe and Jenny Current Tank Info: 180 reef Last edited by Joe0813; 04/22/2018 at 03:14 PM.

04/22/2018, 11:11 AM	#7
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	Apex sells a separate plug for MH but, I do not think that they are very useful, it has two plugs but they both go on at the same time. I have my MH on a old controller. I would recommend a AC Jr or Apex Jr that way you do not eat up valuable assets in the GHL controller, it is necessary to have a controller on MH. I may be wrong about the controller on a electronic ballast but having a rapid restart on MH is not good for a M80 ballast and probably not good for the bulbs either.

04/22/2018, 04:58 PM	#13
Joe0813 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Boston strong Posts: 2,766	they are pretty easy to set up. Ive never ran MH just T5 and my radion gen 2s. the tank definitely will need a fan to keep it cool. the lights were only on for three hours and went up to 80. plugged in a fan and the temp dropped right back down to 78 __________________ Joe and Jenny Current Tank Info: 180 reef

04/23/2018, 12:14 PM	#15
Joe0813 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Boston strong Posts: 2,766	Three radiums, 2 actinics and 2 blue + but I'm thinking of getting 2 more actinics __________________ Joe and Jenny Current Tank Info: 180 reef