HQI mini pendants.....Parallel or Perpendicular?

**golfish** · 08-24-2001, 05:54 PM

I would wait until you get the 400's going before you sell the HQI's....you might want to run one over the cross bar.

Would it be too much to ask to start out with one 400 over the cross bar...

Thanks Perry, I was hoping you would show up

Mark

JG · 08-24-2001, 06:18 PM

Good idea on waiting to sell the HQI's.....I would imagine the 400w Iwasaki's with relectors will spread the light enough so I won't need a third light, but you never know.

Quote:

Would it be too much to ask to start out with one 400 over the cross bar...

That's another option. I'll probably get the dual retro kit from PA, and play around with the HQI/Iwasaki. I'm hoping Jason is right in that the new 400w Iwasaki's are close to a 10k

PerryinCA · 08-24-2001, 09:03 PM

I am a little confused as to this new Iwasaki. If the spectrum has changed, then it is almost a certainty that the PAR output has also changed (likely for the worse). I wonder what they have done differently?

I would think that two Iwasaki's would be plenty of coverage with the two spider-light type(parabolic) reflectors.

-Perry

JG · 08-24-2001, 09:59 PM

Perry, any way to find out info on this new bulb?

I asked Jason about the PAR, and he replied " I'm not sure if the PAR's changed, but they are suppose to be much more white looking, they have been available for 3 months now, so we have sold them for a while, one guy said it was a huge difference."

JG · 08-24-2001, 10:59 PM

Here's a pic from MACNA of Brian Conger's frag tank (Atlantis Aquatics). He is using the new 400w Iwasaki's on this tank

they look pretty white to me.

chromis · 08-24-2001, 11:59 PM

Perry, I beleive that the new iwasakis have longer carbon resistors. However, the extremely knowlegable guy at The Reef Tank(not so local lfs) told me that the resistors come from a box of assorted parts at the factory. Apparently it depends on what they had the most of in the parts box that day.

Before MACNA I was hardcore dedicated iwasaki person. After seeing Dr. Mac's corals at the show I am convinced that 20k is the only way to go for sps. No offense to harbor or atlantis aquatics but there were no frags there that compared to the flouresence of Dr. Mac's corals and clams under his 20k/ Blueline E ballast combination. His frags looked glow-in-the-dark!

I am thinking about a single 400 watt 20k Osram Radium bulb in a horizontal pendant powered by a blueline e ballast over my 55 gallon tank. I know naser ran a single 400 over a 55 with good results, do you guys think I will get good results with this setup? I could eventually add another pendant.

Thanks
Andrew

**golfish** · 08-25-2001, 12:01 AM

John,
It does look nice but you never know what else he using. I think you'll just have to get one going and let us know

I'm up for a little more blue in my tank. The PC's have to work real hard to make my 400 watt Iwasaki look like the 10K's

chromis · 08-25-2001, 12:05 AM

actually all brian had were the 2 iwasakis on that 75, very bright

JG · 08-25-2001, 12:17 AM

Chromis,

Was the 20k's really this blue in person? How were the intebsity of these bulbs?

chromis · 08-25-2001, 12:34 AM

they were pretty blue as I recall, but not a purple blue, more like a underwater blue. They were very bright blue though, not dim like a 12k on a regular ballast. It was a nice color, it really seemed to highlight the colors. I wish I had gone to the 3rd day, then I could have asked more questions. The picture does make it look a little bluer then in person, I wish I had been asked this on sunday or monday!

JG · 08-25-2001, 12:42 AM

damn damn damn...here I am changing my mind again

It's ashame that the BlueLine E-Ballast can't be used with x-10 controllers. Wish IceCap would hurry up with their 400w ballast.

chromis · 08-25-2001, 01:02 AM

JG, I just shot off a bunch of questions to Dr. Mac regarding the 20k bulbs. You could always use PFO HQI ballasts?

JG · 08-25-2001, 10:21 AM

chromis,

Let me know what you find out about this setup from Mac.

I emailed Champion Lighting to find out if my timer/controller from Radio shack is a true X-10 unit. Here's the link to it http://www.radioshack.com/product.as...5Fid=61%2D2470

**golfish** · 08-25-2001, 10:24 AM

So far I'm not to impressed with the 20K bulb. I saw Steve Tyree's tanks a few days ago and the SPS really didn't excite me. I had cash in my pocket and walked out of there with all of it. I have an offer to try a 20K bulb and will do so if and when just to see how thing go.

John,
I don't think you will be unhappy with the 20K's but you might be with the 6.5K's. Lots of people like them and they seem to do a good job growing corals, they sure do look nice, they also cost twice as much as the 6.5K and last half as long...

JG · 08-25-2001, 10:38 AM

Mark,

One thing for sure...I won't be ordering any lights for another week or so. I have to let all this lighting stuff marinate for a little while before making a decision

.

My head is spinning

JG · 08-25-2001, 10:54 AM

Mark,

Did you see this tank while you where there?

The colors look fantastic, although the tank appears a little dark

**golfish** · 08-25-2001, 10:57 AM

John,
I'm pretty sure he uses an HQI ballast, The color is nice and the corals look OK. Don't get me wrong, Steve is know all over the country for producing nice SPS, maybe it was just me or his tanks were having a bad day.

**golfish** · 08-25-2001, 11:01 AM

John,
As far as I know that tank is not at his place of business. If it was I may have walked out with no money in my pocket.

JG · 08-25-2001, 11:08 AM

Quote:

If it was I may have walked out with no money in my pocket.

LOL, I hear ya' man

If you give one of these bulbs a test run, are you going to use your 400w MH ballast, ot HQI ballast?

I'm wondering how two 400w 20k Radiums, two 110w VHO actinics, and two 110w VHO aquasuns would look

**golfish** · 08-25-2001, 06:33 PM

it will be ran on an HQI ballast

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08-24-2001, 05:54 PM	#41
golfish Moderator Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Alta Loma,Ca Posts: 2,943	I would wait until you get the 400's going before you sell the HQI's....you might want to run one over the cross bar. Would it be too much to ask to start out with one 400 over the cross bar... Thanks Perry, I was hoping you would show up Mark

08-24-2001, 09:03 PM	#43
PerryinCA Governor Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Folsom, CA Posts: 2,103	I am a little confused as to this new Iwasaki. If the spectrum has changed, then it is almost a certainty that the PAR output has also changed (likely for the worse). I wonder what they have done differently? I would think that two Iwasaki's would be plenty of coverage with the two spider-light type(parabolic) reflectors. -Perry

08-24-2001, 09:59 PM	#44
JG Mayor Join Date: Jul 2000 Posts: 630	Perry, any way to find out info on this new bulb? I asked Jason about the PAR, and he replied " I'm not sure if the PAR's changed, but they are suppose to be much more white looking, they have been available for 3 months now, so we have sold them for a while, one guy said it was a huge difference."

08-24-2001, 10:59 PM	#45
JG Mayor Join Date: Jul 2000 Posts: 630	Here's a pic from MACNA of Brian Conger's frag tank (Atlantis Aquatics). He is using the new 400w Iwasaki's on this tank they look pretty white to me.

08-24-2001, 11:59 PM	#46
chromis Mayor Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Lynchburg, Virginia Posts: 518	Perry, I beleive that the new iwasakis have longer carbon resistors. However, the extremely knowlegable guy at The Reef Tank(not so local lfs) told me that the resistors come from a box of assorted parts at the factory. Apparently it depends on what they had the most of in the parts box that day. Before MACNA I was hardcore dedicated iwasaki person. After seeing Dr. Mac's corals at the show I am convinced that 20k is the only way to go for sps. No offense to harbor or atlantis aquatics but there were no frags there that compared to the flouresence of Dr. Mac's corals and clams under his 20k/ Blueline E ballast combination. His frags looked glow-in-the-dark! I am thinking about a single 400 watt 20k Osram Radium bulb in a horizontal pendant powered by a blueline e ballast over my 55 gallon tank. I know naser ran a single 400 over a 55 with good results, do you guys think I will get good results with this setup? I could eventually add another pendant. Thanks Andrew

08-25-2001, 12:01 AM	#47
golfish Moderator Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Alta Loma,Ca Posts: 2,943	John, It does look nice but you never know what else he using. I think you'll just have to get one going and let us know I'm up for a little more blue in my tank. The PC's have to work real hard to make my 400 watt Iwasaki look like the 10K's

08-25-2001, 12:05 AM	#48
chromis Mayor Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Lynchburg, Virginia Posts: 518	actually all brian had were the 2 iwasakis on that 75, very bright

08-25-2001, 12:17 AM	#49
JG Mayor Join Date: Jul 2000 Posts: 630	Chromis, Was the 20k's really this blue in person? How were the intebsity of these bulbs?

08-25-2001, 12:34 AM	#50
chromis Mayor Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Lynchburg, Virginia Posts: 518	they were pretty blue as I recall, but not a purple blue, more like a underwater blue. They were very bright blue though, not dim like a 12k on a regular ballast. It was a nice color, it really seemed to highlight the colors. I wish I had gone to the 3rd day, then I could have asked more questions. The picture does make it look a little bluer then in person, I wish I had been asked this on sunday or monday!

08-25-2001, 12:42 AM	#51
JG Mayor Join Date: Jul 2000 Posts: 630	damn damn damn...here I am changing my mind again It's ashame that the BlueLine E-Ballast can't be used with x-10 controllers. Wish IceCap would hurry up with their 400w ballast.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

08-25-2001, 01:02 AM	#52
chromis Mayor Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Lynchburg, Virginia Posts: 518	JG, I just shot off a bunch of questions to Dr. Mac regarding the 20k bulbs. You could always use PFO HQI ballasts?

08-25-2001, 10:21 AM	#53
JG Mayor Join Date: Jul 2000 Posts: 630	chromis, Let me know what you find out about this setup from Mac. I emailed Champion Lighting to find out if my timer/controller from Radio shack is a true X-10 unit. Here's the link to it http://www.radioshack.com/product.as...5Fid=61%2D2470

08-25-2001, 10:24 AM	#54
golfish Moderator Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Alta Loma,Ca Posts: 2,943	So far I'm not to impressed with the 20K bulb. I saw Steve Tyree's tanks a few days ago and the SPS really didn't excite me. I had cash in my pocket and walked out of there with all of it. I have an offer to try a 20K bulb and will do so if and when just to see how thing go. John, I don't think you will be unhappy with the 20K's but you might be with the 6.5K's. Lots of people like them and they seem to do a good job growing corals, they sure do look nice, they also cost twice as much as the 6.5K and last half as long...

08-25-2001, 10:38 AM	#55
JG Mayor Join Date: Jul 2000 Posts: 630	Mark, One thing for sure...I won't be ordering any lights for another week or so. I have to let all this lighting stuff marinate for a little while before making a decision . My head is spinning

08-25-2001, 10:54 AM	#56
JG Mayor Join Date: Jul 2000 Posts: 630	Mark, Did you see this tank while you where there? The colors look fantastic, although the tank appears a little dark

08-25-2001, 10:57 AM	#57
golfish Moderator Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Alta Loma,Ca Posts: 2,943	John, I'm pretty sure he uses an HQI ballast, The color is nice and the corals look OK. Don't get me wrong, Steve is know all over the country for producing nice SPS, maybe it was just me or his tanks were having a bad day.

08-25-2001, 11:01 AM	#58
golfish Moderator Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Alta Loma,Ca Posts: 2,943	John, As far as I know that tank is not at his place of business. If it was I may have walked out with no money in my pocket.

08-25-2001, 06:33 PM	#60
golfish Moderator Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Alta Loma,Ca Posts: 2,943	it will be ran on an HQI ballast