Photos of 400W Combinations

[Reefmaster]

Two 5500K lamps - one new, one old
http://www.members.shaw.ca/reefmaster/55-55.jpg
One 5500K - one 20,000K
http://www.members.shaw.ca/reefmaster/55-20.jpg
One 6500K Iwakasak (non R) - one 20,000K
http://www.members.shaw.ca/reefmaster/65-20.jpg
Three 5500K
http://www.members.shaw.ca/reefmaster/3x55.jpg
20,000K - 5500K - 20,000K
http://www.members.shaw.ca/reefmaster/20-55-20.jpg
5500K - 20,000K - 5500K
http://www.members.shaw.ca/reefmaster/55-20-55.jpg
we have decided on the last combo as being the most visually pleasing. the animals seem to do fine either way. each of these 400W setups cost us in the $200 range complete with lamp, and in addition to the MH there is only 40W of NO actinic for the dawn dusk effect.
hope this is of interest to some. shane

[DJ88]

That looks REALLY good Shane.. REEEALLLY good.

images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif

Great pics as well. Demonstrates the difference in kelvins for people who haven't seen or used MH's themselves. images/smiles/icon_smile.gif Good post.

I do like the looks of it. images/smiles/icon_smile.gif

[Bryan]

From what I can see and from discussions on other bulletin boards the 5500K are a tad whiter than the 6500K. I wonder why nobody uses them anymore. I suspect they put out less par than the Iwasaki's.

[One_Divided]

Very cool shane! You should share that with the folks at reef central too. I'm sure many would appreciate it.

[Aquattro]

FYI, I just had the pleasure of seeing this tank with only the 55k bulbs running and 1 NO actinic. It looked really good!

[titus]

Hello BCReefer,

Yes one of the options available for the new Canreef site coming is an archive for great articles, great photos, whatever.

[BCReefer]

Great post. This is something we should keep in the archives for future use.

Is this option available Titus?

I prefer the 2nd to last with the bluer look.

[Mak]

Just a comment for those who don't know. The picture of the 6500K is non R this is the incorrect Iwasaki that you would most likely use, unless you made a mistake. This incorrect bulb looks horrible in the picture above plus he left the light on for that one photo[making it look just that much worse]. The real 6500K+r looks much better no where near the green in that photo[looks like heavy green algae everywere]. If I didn't know any better and saw this picture I would NEVER buy this bulb!!! ;)

[StirCrazy]

Trigger, it is also on a MH ballast instead of a MV ballast. that makes a big difference also.

Steve

[Mak]

Is it only the 6500k bulb that doesn't work well on the MH? Was debating if it was worth going going to the 10000k as my bulb needs replacement in the next few months. But I'am also going to use that overdrivin 40w Actinic, maybe that will take care of the slight green?!? Thanks StirCrazy ;)

[StirCrazy]

ya from what I have been reading and such the non-r works good on a MV but not a MH but the R works good on a MH but not a MV hehe had me all confused for a while.. but if I can find cheep 10000K's I still might go with them.. I am still trying to decide myself

Steve

[Mak]

Hey StirCrazy, my buddies own a Hydroponic store in Surrey, next time I'm down there I'm going to check in on what they can order and prices[should be a sweet price depending on their cost of just ordering 1 or 2 bulbs]. Where can I get on of the workhorses for overdrivin?

[StirCrazy]

everyone seams to be getting that at Albrite lighting.. there is one on the main land and one on the island

Steve

[stephane]

I just love my 250 iwasaki and 3 vho actnic all the blue are blue and purple are purple and look absolutlie perfect !
http://www.aquariumpros.ca/forums/attachment.php?s=&postid=1940

the only ting yellow I see there is my yellow plate coral and my yellow tang ! fire them with the proper ballast and add a litle
of actnic and voila you save big $ note that on this pic the actnic
are not VHO but 4x 48" NO on a ice cap

That icecap ballast on NO are simply amazing they turbocharge them like hell !

feel free to aks for more help on ballast an bulbs

[Doug]

Great shots Reefmaster. I also have been trying a 400watt 55K. I also see no comparison between it & my 400 65K. The 55 is a much crisper colour.

How used is the used 55. I have been wondering if it has the great longevity of the Iwasaki.

Harker,s comment on the same type of post on FishNet, was that the 65K,contains more of the blue spectrum used by corals, than the 55, which perhaps could make the 65 a better overall bulb.

Of course in your situation, running the 20 in the center. takes care of that.

Even though its a nice crisp white, my corals dont look as good compared with running a 400w 12K plus 65K supplementation or even better was my 175 10K----400 12K-------175 10K

[Delphinus]

Great shot, Stephane!

What ballast(s) are you using on your 250W Iwasaki(s)?

[Reefmaster]

doug
i have to agree, the 55K is much nicer (on our system) than the 65KnonR. i understand on other ballast types etc it is much better. the "used" 55K was approaching 2 years old. i haven't continued to use it because i expect the spectrum has changed although my eye doesn't easily see this.

[stephane]

those are stanpro ballast core and coil

Im distributor of ballast and bulb in Quebec
and i try a couple and find those one to be the best for your $ (they work on r and non r bulb)

[Bryan]

Is this 250 or 400 watt bulbs you are referring to.

Originally posted by Reefmaster:
doug
i have to agree, the 55K is much nicer (on our system) than the 65KnonR. .<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">

[Doug]

Reefmaster, Thanks for the info. Seems like it does has a long effective life, like the Iwasaki.

What type of ballast are you driving the 20K bulbs with, if I may ask?

[ 13 March 2002, 06:25: Message edited by: Doug ]

[Reefmaster]

doug
they are the cheapest cap/coil ballasts i could find. two are advance, the other has a phillips sticker on it, but they are identical except for the phillips has a different cap.
brian, i must have missed a line. i think we were discussing 400W 'ers here.
shane