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View Full Version : Not the brightest question about MH bulbs

Jason McK
12-02-2003, 06:34 PM
Sorry about the pun, but I couldn't resist.

So I've had my PFO 2x250W 6500K + 2X100 VHO system for about a year now. I'm now thinking about replacing the bulbs. But man oh man. Everyone talks of all these bulbs. Were can I learn about then all. I do know about colour temperature and what that all means I really just want to know what types of bulbs my PFO Ballast will be able to drive and what the different manufactures offer over the others.

Thanks
Jason
Son Of Skyline
12-02-2003, 07:08 PM
With PFO MH ballasts u can drive any 250w SE bulb. A couple bulbs I know of seem to look better with different ballasts. Those would be the 65k Iwasaki (H37 MV ballast) and Radium (HQI ballast).

I believe all the bulbs are pretty much good in terms of reliability. You'll probably just want to look into intensity and colour differences.

I just found this in a search...Good luck!

http://metricksystem.com/chris/250wcolour/
christyf5
12-02-2003, 07:54 PM
What a cool website!! Thanks Mason!

Christy :)
andestang
12-03-2003, 02:05 AM
Thats a great site :cool: - ended up liking some bulbs that I wouldn't of thought to consider :biggrin:
Son Of Skyline
12-03-2003, 02:40 AM
What a cool website!! Thanks Mason!

Christy :)


No need to thank me...I found this site on a search through Canreef :biggrin:
TNTCanada
12-03-2003, 02:41 AM
That was a great web site I'll be looking at MH in the future so this will be a great help.
Cheers
Jason McK
12-03-2003, 02:43 AM
What Does PAR refer to?


J
Aquattro
12-03-2003, 03:46 AM
What Does PAR refer to?


J

Photosynthetically available radiation
Jason McK
12-03-2003, 05:18 AM
yikes and that's good :lol:

J

Thanks Rif
Bob I
12-04-2003, 04:46 AM
What Does PAR refer to?


J

Photosynthetically available radiation

Therefore higher PAR values are better for organisms that photosynthesize. ie. many corals. :mrgreen:
StirCrazy
12-05-2003, 05:07 AM
With PFO MH ballasts u can drive any 250w SE bulb. A couple bulbs I know of seem to look better with different ballasts. Those would be the 65k Iwasaki (H37 MV ballast) and Radium (HQI ballast).



one thing to add to this the 250 watt radium will look horable as it will not light on a regular PFO ballast. unlike the 400 watt radium the 250 watt radium doesnot have a starter built in to it.
also Ushio, BLV and AB will not look as good as they will on a HQI as the HQI is the proper ballast for the 250 wat versions of these bulbs.


Steve
Aquattro
12-05-2003, 05:34 AM
Steve, the 400w Radium doesn't have a starter. It is started from the ballast.
StirCrazy
12-05-2003, 05:43 AM
the 400 watt radium has a probe inside it so a ballast with out a started will start it.. the 250 watt doesent so you need a starter on the ballast or it stays black.

Steve