Just a thought

[montepora]

I have two 250W Hamilton ballasts that I cannot get rid off;) . On my current system, I am running two 250W HQI 10ks with 4 55W PC actinics.

I would like to utilize my existing lighting equipments and give the best light mix for my SPS tank. I want the blue, pink and red color SPS to maintain their natural coloration to some degree. I have heard of good success with the 400W Radium keeping corals' color. But I do not want to spend more $$ and get more equipment for my tank so this is what I am thinking.

I will use the Hamilton ballasts, they are Tar ballast to run 250W Radium. Since they are tar ballast, they will be underdriving the Radium and give very blue look. I will also have the HQI running the 10ks running either Ushio or AB. I would like to mount the light on each side with Radiums in the front and the 10ks in the back. [8 8]

I have a chiller and the heat will not be an issue unless the wether gets really hot. You think this is a smart idea????? This will be 1000W total and I will not have the PC for this set up. TIA.

[Ninong]

You think this is a smart idea?????

No, because I don't think you should run 250w 20,000K Radiums on a standard tar ballast. The manufacturer insists that they must be run on an HQI type ballast. Even on the proper HQI type ballast, the 250w 20,000K Radiums appear much bluer than the 400w 20,000K Radiums on an HQI ballast.

[montepora]

Ok, then what if I run the Radium on my PFO HQI ballast and let the standard bllast run either the 10Ks (that is if again you feel the standard ballast would underdrive the AB or Ushio 10ks) or the Sakis??? What about this combo?? Is it a smart idea ??? TIA!

[Ninong]

The standard ballast will run the 250w 10,000K mogul base Ushio lamps but sometimes the 250w 10,000K mogul base AB-Aqualine lamps are problematic on standard ballasts.

[montepora]

Cool, then it is set for the end of the month when I have someone building a hood for me. I will have four 250s with the Standard running the 10ks and theI running th Radium. Thanx.