250 DE Ballast or reflector more important ?

[trueperc]

Hello, so I have decided on using DE 250 bulbs, now my problem is choosing the right one. I would prefer to buy retro as it saves on cash. Now when is comes to buy what would you do.
Option 1 This is using the M80 HQI ballast

Ballast (http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/Metal_Halide/Sunlight_Supply/Deluxe_Systems_(MH_Only)/Mini_Pendant_System_-_250W_14000K+_HQI_Phoenix_by_Sunlight_Supply)

Option 2 ( The one I would be getting is the 250 Watt DE HQI Lumenarc /Reeflux 12k) Now these are using an electronic ballast but from what I can see the reflector is much better

Reflector (http://reefexotics.com/lumenarc_retro.htm)

Thanks

[Gem Tang Rider]

You need a UV glass shield for the HQI lamps. Do those reflectors include them?

[ReefDent]

After doing a DIY canopy (a very nice one, I might add, lol) with 250-watt DE bulbs on my 75-gallon reef, I can definitely say that I wish I would have done 400-watt SE. Changing the bulbs is difficult and the glass shield required is somewhat annoying to deal with because it has to be cleaned frequently to maintain the the intensity (otherwise the benefit of the DE bulbs is lost).

Also, there is no bulb, in my opinion, that closely approximates my favorite look- the 400-watt Radium on an HQI(430-watt HPS) ballast.

I like the intensity, but DE definitely has its drawbacks, in my opinion. The bulb selection is definitely improving, though.

James

[GSMguy]

i only paid 280 for my aquamedic ocean lights with any bulb i wanted and you can mount them in a canopy or hang them

[GSMguy]

287shipped

[Brent Thomann]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9006149#post9006149 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GSMguy
287shipped

from where?

[GSMguy]

salty critter they have a sponser thread

[GSMguy]

http://www.saltycritter.com/lighting/aqua-medic/ocean-light.htm

[GSMguy]

call and talk to dan

[trueperc]

Yes the reflectors have a shield on them. I am downgrading from 400w's as I need to cut some hydro cost that the tank consumes. So what is more important reflector or ballast ?
But from what a few of you are saying, should I go with the larger 250 SE reflector and skip the whole DE

[GSMguy]

i like my de 250watt and its m80 akahqi ballast
the 250se
the question whats better ballast or reflector is not helpfull as they are equally important its like saying whats more important on a car engine or shape and the truth is both are important you can have any ballast that will run the bulb but without a good reflector its not worth anything
sls lumenmax2 and blue wave ballast would be my choice

[trueperc]

After checking out the website mentioned, which has some really nice prices. Thanks. I am realy leaning towards the bluewave ballast with the lumenmax reflectors. Question though would you get all individual ballasts or one with the dual ballasts as I need three in total.

[Brent Thomann]

DE Bulbs, you'll get more light for your money. More energy efficient.

[GSMguy]

blue wave and lumenmax is the ultimate.
and you will be pleaseantly supprised with the shipping costs at that wonderfull store they are my LFS and are awsome they will take great care of you
i would get one dual ballast and one single im pretty sure they will stil have the option to turn them off individual with the blue wave
P.S. they are good prices because of honesty as apposed to cheap products they only sell the best

[manderx]

I am downgrading from 400w's as I need to cut some hydro cost that the tank consumes

many 250w DE bulbs draw 350-375 watts when run on an HQI ballast, so lookup the combos you are thinking about. otherwise you aren't really saving anything.

[trueperc]

Accually is a savings in other places as well. I here de set ups don't heat up the tank as much as 400w, so you do save a little on per set up, but also save on have to run fans, and how much you run the AC, but I did a little research after reading you post manderx and wow you right, if I want any true saving it would be best to go with an electronic ballast or if using a HQI stay on the lower end of the kalvin ratings.

[GSMguy]

wow this is getting complicated HQI or DE bulbs dont fire on an electronic ballast but single ended so you could switch to se 250w on an electronic ballast

kelvin and watts is unrelated kelvin is the color temperature aka color of the light
the problem is if you switch from 400w to 250s on electronic ballasts your corals will be unhappy

[trueperc]

Accually GSMguy you are wrong on a few things. If you look at the link for the relector I posted and have seen a few others the DE is on an electronic ballast and I have seen DE setup with Icecap electronic ballast and there are others. As for going from 400w to 250w, right now I run 20k xms 400w, is I go 250 I would not go below the 14k range. Also according to sanjays graphs you can see that the 10k bulbs accually pull more w than a 14k on a HQI ballast. Also as for corals, right now I only have a few small lps and 3 clams as I lost all my sps's due to a refactormeter being off and having way to high salinty for two long and also high phospates. So for me I believe this would be the perfect time to change the lighting.