Once and For All - Which One

[Staghorn]

Ok, after being patient with the 6 page post regarding the Iwasaki 6500K, just at the time I was getting ready to order my lights, which should it be, 250w IW or 250w HQI 10K? Part of the Iwasaki thread had me going IW 6500, then the HQI sounded the way to go. These are the last lights I intend to buy for a long time. Aqua-Medic was supposed to send me their catalog 2 weeks ago regarding the Aqua-Spacelight but it never arrived. I may have bought one but they don't seem interested after a number of e-mails.

[Firefish]

I run 3 250 watt 12k HQI's and I've been very happy with it although I spent a few hours adding a couple of fans to the ballast and hood IMHO it was worth it.But I also built my own ballast to save money,any lighting facility will carry an HQI kit (capacitor and coil) for 70.00 bucks.The socket costs 5.00 bucks,on/off switch for 1.50 and a metal case for 5.00 bucks. I saved a couple hundred dollars building it myself.

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"It's better to have a hen tomorrow then an egg today."

[PerryinCA]

firefish, where did you get the 12k HQI? The only ones I am aware of are the 10k and 20k Osram.

Stag ~ if you wait just a couple days more to make the decision I can post some side-by-side comparisons of the two over my tank. Just waiting for my sockets to get here, and then I'll have it all up and running.

I can't really answer your question. I really like the Iwasakis, but decided to give the HQI a shot. Thing is, Icecap ballast can run both, where conventional ballast can't. So, if you get the HQI, you'll have to get new ones down the line if you ever want to switch to a mogul lamp.

I am unfamiliar with the 'HQI kit'.

-Perry

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-Perry

[Staghorn]

The HQIs I have been looking at do not have fans. When I inquired about that I was told they don't get as hot as reg. MH. Always a simple thing to add.

Perry, I saw your post previously about the side-by-side, I forgot. That would be great to see and get your comments. I'll wait for sure.

[Schottman]

Firefish Do you happen to have any part ort stock numbers of the ballast sockets or anything that you bought to put together yourown 250 watt HQI kit? I am very interested in doing a 3X250 watt HQI setup on my 100!!

Schottman [img]/ubb/spineyes.gif[/img]

[Ninong]

Staghorn ~

If you check out the website www.ab-aqualine.de you will find every pic and every word of copy on their light fixtures that is in the Aqua-Medic/AB-Aqualine catalogue. There is not a single word in the catalogue section on lighting that is not on the website.

What size tank are you setting up?

Ninong [img]/ubb/smile.gif[/img]

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Irrational Exuberance!

[Ninong]

Perry ~

What I have come across so far in the way of HQI double-ended lamps is as follows:

AB-Aqualine makes the AB 5000 which they say is 5000K
AB-Aqualine makes the AB 10000 which they say is 13000K

BLV (Ushio) makes a 10000K that tests close to 12000K

Osram/Radium makes a 20000K
Osram/Sylvania/Osram-Sylvania (the name depends on which country you are in) makes a 10000K

AZOO (Taiwan) uses HQI double-ended lamps which they say are 11000K and 20000K (their U.S. distributor says they are made by AZOO).

I believe there are also 6000K HQI double-ended lamps in Europe.

I'm waiting for you to tell me if you compared the BLV (Ushio) 10000K (which is actually almost 12000K) with the AB 10000 which is actually 13000K, at work yet???

Ninong [img]/ubb/smile.gif[/img]

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Irrational Exuberance!

[PerryinCA]

Whoa, totally forgot!

I did test them out, and they were just as expected. Both were intense, and I couldn't tell a difference, but then again, they weren't run at the same time.

The AB was slightly more blue, but both looked nice. Just my luck the batteries on the camera went dead. The BLV looked nicer IMO, but I'm not a big fan of "blue" light.

There was a noticeable difference, but nothing extreme.

-Perry

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-Perry

[bajathree]

Originally posted by Staghorn:
Ok, after being patient with the 6 page post regarding the Iwasaki 6500K, just at the time I was getting ready to order my lights, which should it be, 250w IW or 250w HQI 10K? .

IMO I would go with the Iwasaki 6500k's. This is a bulb that has been around for a while and very sucessfully used by many reefers. Combining it with an electronic ballast, IceCap or BlueLine would be best choice. I do not think you can go wrong with this set-up.
There are always different set-up's and dwelling on choice to much can sometimes cause more confusion than good.



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We as hobbyists need to respect the reef, educate and learn so that it will live on for all to enjoy.
bajathree
Come Dive Into
Baja Reef

[PerryinCA]

I generally agree with Baja, and would definetly recommend Icecap ballasts as they can run both Iwasaki and HQI.

As for the Iwasaki being around a while, this is true but...

On the other side of the pond (atlantic) the HQI have been the "Iwasaki" for quite some time. For color and output they are seemingly unmatched. As I said before though, I'll let you know what I think in a day or two.

-Perry

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-Perry

[Staghorn]

Ninong,

I had all the pictures plus what was posted about the Aqua-Space on the infamous Iwaski (pages) post. The information about decent prices is what is missing. I called the Aqua-Medic Sales rep. out in Texas to see if the prices I had were for real (like you can go to Germany and buy them like a Mercedes). She was going to send me pricing and ways to buy them. Never got it. I tried a couple more times via e-mail. All I know is they are really expensive. I have learned enough now to know I can put something together somewhat (not a whole lot) cheaper.

[Ninong]

Staghorn ~

You can purchase any of the Aqua-Medic/AB-Aqualine fixtures through www.championlighting.com

I received a quote from Champion on the 48" length Aquaspacelight with 2x250w 10,000K HQI double-ended lamps plus 2x24w Osram actinic PCs in the middle, of $909. The Aquastarlight Classic fixture is less expensive. In fact, Champion has a few of the 48" length Aquastarlight fixtures with 2x150w 10,000K HQI double-ended lamps on sale for only $400. Champion quoted me a price of $679 for the 48" Aquastarlight Classic with 2x250w 10,000K HQI lamps (list price on this one is $834).

I decided to order the Aquastarlight Classic fixture with 2x250w HQI lamps plus a 25w blue incandescent moonlight in the middle, but it will take about 6 weeks to get here from Germany.

Ninong [img]/ubb/smile.gif[/img]

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Irrational Exuberance!

[This message has been edited by Ninong (edited 02-06-2001).]

[Staghorn]

Thanks Ninong, that is about the price range that I had. Actually yours is a little lower. There doesn't appear to be any discounts on these lights. Would you want to tell me where you ordered yours (via e-mail if you want - or not)?

I do want to wait for Perry's test.

[Ninong]

Staghorn ~

You have mail.

Ninong [img]/ubb/smile.gif[/img]

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Irrational Exuberance!

[PerryinCA]

grrrrrr... Well its gonna be a few more days till I get all my lighting up. I got my sockets today. I saw the box and immediately started taking down one of the Iwasaki setups to get the HQI up, and do some comparisons....

Well, taking it apart I broke the Iwasaki lamp....
I was a little angry at myself, but I kept going. I got the wiring harness ready to go...and went to go open the box of the HQI sockets. Got it open...all of them were BROKEN! The sockets are a brittle ceramic, and Fed ex must have been playing football with the box.

So I contacted Brian, and am waiting to hear back.... I think I am gonna end up just getting the Icecap mini-pendants....I am soooo mad. Not at anything in particular, just at the situation.

so, it's gonna be a few days till I get any comparison pics up.....


-Perry

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-Perry

[Staghorn]

Perry, sorry for the bad day. I know that had to suck. The Icecap mini-pendant you refer to. Are they HQI and are they the same as the PRO mini?

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Beauty Too Rich For Us To Use

[PerryinCA]

same thing, just come wired for the Icecap ballasts I believe. I get them friday, so I'll let you know what happens.

-Perry

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-Perry