400W Lamp Rant.

[3_high_low]

The search for the 400w lamp that fits my needs has taken me for a ride. I was running 250W AB10,000k lamps and was pleased with the look, the intensity, and the results. But I couldn't leave well enough alone so I got some E ballasts and some 400w Radiums. A bit too blue I thought, and they don't last very long. So instead of replacing the Radiums when they were spent I figured I'd get some 400w 10,000k AB's and be done with it. Wrong again. In my opinion these lamps are a bit yellow, not quite the same as the 250 watt AB's. So the quest continues.

Now you can get an idea of what I'm after, a 400w lamp that is somewhere between the Radium and the 400w AB 10,000k in appearance. I want something intense with just a tiny hint of blue, or crystal white like the 250w AB's would be fine too. I bet a DE 400w 10,000k would make me happy but when-o-when will they be available? (Someone tell me they are and I just missed it.)

The Blueline 10,000k+ is too blue and doesn't seem as intense as the Radium. Scratch that. And I have a feeling the Ushio 400w is very similar to the AB, still a tint of yellow.

Late last night I noticed these lamps on one of our favorite sponsors website: "NEW--400 watt 20,000K Aqua Ray brand Mogul base lamp, $75 each EXCLUSIVELY FROM *********!!!"

"The Aqua Ray lamps are also labeled as 20,000K, but appear as a True 12,000K--a crisp neutral white with great intensity!!"

So this lamp sounds like it would make me happy. Has anyone tried it? Opinions please?

And also, what ever became of the new 400w Iwasaki, what was it called, Aqua something? Are these available yet? How do they look?

Thanks for taking the time to read and respond to my rant

Enjoy your Sunday!

Mark

[3_high_low]

Okay, okay. I made that post too long. The condensed version:

Has anyone tried the new mogul base 400w 20,000k Aqua Ray lamp that Dr Mac is selling? How are they?

[NewMariner]

I will give ya a bump..........I havent ever used these bulbs....

Im using 400w Radiums on a PFO HQI Ballast and I dont think its too blue...I think its a perfect mixture of white and blue...I will be adding some vhos for a dawn/dusk effect though

[zep]

I can't answer your question but I agree about the AB's. I have a 175 watt ab next to a 400 watt ab and the 400 is slightly more yellow than the 175.

I used to use Bluelines but after my third set of bulbs I decided they are about as reliable as the U.S. postal service. Iv'e got several bluelines that have been run for 2 or 3 weeks or less that have got loose connections inside the bulb and are unusable. Extreme waste of money!!!

[3_high_low]

Thanks for the input fellas.

bump^

[Mako]

Mark - Have you tried mixing the 400 Radiums with the 250 AB moguls? This is my favorite combination right now and the look is just right IMO.

[3_high_low]

Hi Mako,

Ya know I consider that combo the ultimate. I have a 60x18x24 tank. What I have on hand is 2 400w eballasts, 2 400w AB 10000k lamps, 2 400w blue line 10kk+ lamps, 2 400w radium lamps, and three spyder reflectors. (I gave the 250w set up to my nephew.) I was thinking of buying another 400w eballast and running the 2 400w ABs with one 400w Radium or Blue line in the middle. But then I looked at my thermometer and cringed - 85 deg F without the lights on! Freaking pumps...I have a mag12 submerged running the beckett skimmer, a throttled back mag18 externally for a return pump, a mag5 on the Ca reactor, and a Tunze stream.

I'm going to try the mag12 skimmer pump externally and use a smaller return pump and see what happens. I'd rather not do a chiller. I'll also double check the thermometer. I'm surprised by this heat.

[zep]

Mark,

Did removing the mag 12 lower your heat any? Just curious, I have a submerged 12 running my beckett right now.

Thanks

[3_high_low]

Not sure zep. I'll be making the changes when the new pump arrives and I'll let you know. By unplugging stuff and waiting, I can say that the heat is not coming from the Tunze, and that the mag18 despite being external is generating some of the heat.

What I'm going to do first is replace the mag18 with a blue line 800. I may then try to change the mag12 skimmer pump to an external application. We'll see.

[MargaritaMan]

I use 3 x 400w Radiums on HQI ballasts and they are about a 12k for 3 months, then 11k, then 10k AND THEN I get to replace them at six months. I'm thinking MagLite bulbs! j/k MM

[3_high_low]

Some good news, some bad news, and some more money spent. Bad news is that one of my 6 mo old eballast died. (I'm awaiting a replacement from Champion Lighting as the ballast has a 18 mo warranty.) In the mean time I had to get some light over my tank so I got a Sunlight Supply 250w DE pendant from www.inverts.com (My LFS.) I'm using the AB 10000 lamp with it and I was so blown away by how intense and how crystal white it is that I went back and I got another. Right now I have two 250w DE AB's and a 400w Radium in the middle. It looks very nice! BUT I'm worried about the heat on the center brace. Fortunately, I have on hand two T5 HO's that will serve as my actinics instead of the Radium. I think I'll be happy with that. (So, is any one interested in buying a 400w set up?)

Compared to the 400w AB 10kk mogul with a brand new spider reflector the DE set up looks far more intense and they lack the slight yellow tint from the mogul AB that had been bothering me.

Zep, I haven't moved the mag 12 yet. It turns out the heating issue is not so bad. (The weather is cool now.) I may leave the Mag12 in the sump to power the skimmer, but the mag18 return will be replaced with a Blue line external pump. I will let you know how it goes once I get to it.

Mark

[justgettinstarted]

i have a 250W DE Ushio 10k run off an icecap ballast and it is white as white can be... hehe

I know its a little late now... but for white... these lights are the way to go...

[kevinpo]

Hey Mark,
Before you toss the 400W'ers try the new 13,000K PFO 400W bulb. I think you will like it.

Regards,
Kevin

[skattabrain]

i hear the 20K XM's are a bit less blue then radiums, i might try them next go around.

[3_high_low]

Thanks for the input.

Kevin, I won't toss them. When I get a tank large enough to use 4 MH I'll give those PFO lamps a try.

Mark

[Jeremy B.]

Before you toss the 400W'ers try the new 13,000K PFO 400W bulb. I think you will like it.

Agreed! Pretty sweet light that they give off! I did some testing with our light meter last night on all the new blue lamps that are in the market now, pretty interesting findings. I'll try and post them later today.

[acropora]

I am also looking at the 13000K PFO's,but have not actual seen them .For those who have them,can you tell me how they compare to the 10000K. Anthony

[Rendos]

I got some AquaRays from Dr. Mac, and I am not impressed. They are as blue as the radiums and not as bright. The Ushio 10K has a nice white color...have you tried them?