Lumenarc III users:come on in.

SunnyX · #1 06/07/2006, 02:18 PM

Ok I currently run 250W SE Bulbs and want to switch to 400W SE.

I am assuming that the 400W will work in my current Lumenarc III's?

Am I correct?

Or do I need a new socket?

Thanks.

nemo g · #2 06/07/2006, 02:32 PM

sunny, do some research on the bulbs and balast combos of the 400 watters.

youll be surprised and dissapointed that many combinations will barely provide more light than a 250 but still put out tons more heat and use tons more electricity.

so getting the right bulb, ballast, or combination is extremely important. if not, your upgrade could turn into a downgrade.

good luck

Ceak · #3 06/07/2006, 02:44 PM

Sunny, the older luminarcs used to have clumsy sockets for large 400W bulbs but they've fixed that some time ago... Check the Pacific Garden Supply forum for more info. I'm pretty sure that if you still have to older version they will change the socket free of cahrge...

And if you're going for 20K then 400W is good, of course it will generate more heat but it will be much brighter and yuo will have alot more PAR than if yuo went with 20K 250s...

SunnyX · #4 06/07/2006, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by nemo g
sunny, do some research on the bulbs and balast combos of the 400 watters.

youll be surprised and dissapointed that many combinations will barely provide more light than a 250 but still put out tons more heat and use tons more electricity.

so getting the right bulb, ballast, or combination is extremely important. if not, your upgrade could turn into a downgrade.

good luck

Trust me, I know what im doing.

My current 250W 10k XM's provide 137 PAR. If I were to switch the bulbs to 250W Xm20k's, keeping the sam ballast I would have only 72 PAR. With the 400W M59 ballast I will be getting 128 PAR, basically the same PAR I am currently getting with my setup only nicer looking and bluer.

Basically, the new lighting system will have the same power as the old ones but look nicer.

moonpod · #5 06/07/2006, 02:45 PM

Basically stay away from "bargain" bulbs and you'll be ok.

The sockets are the same.

check to see if you have the variable mount mogul--ie the bulb should be centered in the fixture and if it is set for a 250 you may need to move the mogul back a bit. Mine didn't come with that, but rather seemed set for a 400 to be centered.

SunnyX · #6 06/07/2006, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ceak
Sunny, the older luminarcs used to have clumsy sockets for large 400W bulbs but they've fixed that some time ago... Check the Pacific Garden Supply forum for more info. I'm pretty sure that if you still have to older version they will change the socket free of cahrge...

And if you're going for 20K then 400W is good, of course it will generate more heat but it will be much brighter and yuo will have alot more PAR than if yuo went with 20K 250s...

Heat is the only thing I worry about. I do not currently run a chiller, never needed too, so hopefully these bulbs wont be too hot.

Ceak · #7 06/07/2006, 02:46 PM

edited: damn your fast!

Also, I couldn't find that super deal on Hellolights, have a link?

SunnyX · #8 06/07/2006, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by moonpod
Basically stay away from "bargain" bulbs and you'll be ok.

The sockets are the same.

check to see if you have the variable mount mogul--ie the bulb should be centered in the fixture and if it is set for a 250 you may need to move the mogul back a bit. Mine didn't come with that, but rather seemed set for a 400 to be centered.

Bargain Bulbs?

Are you referring to the XM's?

I was thinking of going with 400W Radiums but I do not like the idea of changing them every 6 months. I have used the 20K Xm's on a older tank in the past and loved the color.

moonpod · #9 06/07/2006, 02:51 PM

radiums only die fast on the 430w HPS ballast.

SunnyX · #10 06/07/2006, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ceak
edited: damn your fast!

Also, I couldn't find that super deal on Hellolights, have a link?

http://www.hellolights.com/arocubicus400.html

Type in RCONLY in the coupon section to get 10% off.
Add any XM bulb for only $25.

SunnyX · #11 06/07/2006, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by moonpod
radiums only die fast on the 430w HPS ballast.

Would you say Radiums are better then XM 20k's?

Many people claim that they look almost exactly the same.

At $25 a bulb its really hard to pass up.

Plus, running Radiums on anything but a HQI is pointless because of the loss of PAR and bluer color.

moonpod · #12 06/07/2006, 02:58 PM

You know...the "look" and "performance" that earned the Radium raves was the fairly white look of the bulb on the HPS ballast. Course since the bulb is really only a 360w bulb apparently (per Radium's website), running in on the 430w HPS really hurts the bulb.

As for radium vs XM and "looks" or "better", frankly all that stuff is subjective. You say tomaeto. I say tomahto. I don't like the look of the radium or the XM 20k so.....

SunnyX · #13 06/07/2006, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by moonpod
You know...the "look" and "performance" that earned the Radium raves was the fairly white look of the bulb on the HPS ballast. Course since the bulb is really only a 360w bulb apparently (per Radium's website), running in on the 430w HPS really hurts the bulb.

As for radium vs XM and "looks" or "better", frankly all that stuff is subjective. You say tomaeto. I say tomahto. I don't like the look of the radium or the XM 20k so.....

Im sure they look good on the HPS ballast but the PAR is 90, much lower the the 20K XM. I like how everything is currently going in my system, just needs more blue.

SunnyX · #14 06/07/2006, 03:31 PM

Looking at the spectural charts, the Pheonix 14K, Radium and XM 20k have almost the same plot except for the Xm being bluer.

SunnyX · #15 06/07/2006, 05:32 PM

I ordered the 400W M59 Pro Series along with 20K XM's and they should be here friday. I will post my thoughts and pics as soon as I install them.

Ceak · #16 06/07/2006, 06:27 PM

haha I see you work on impulse! Can't wait to see those on your tank...

szwab · #17 06/07/2006, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SunnyX
http://www.hellolights.com/arocubicus400.html

Type in RCONLY in the coupon section to get 10% off.
Add any XM bulb for only $25.

coupon wouldn't work for me

SunnyX · #18 06/08/2006, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by szwab
coupon wouldn't work for me

Did you type it in on the last page of ordering?

It only works for certain products they have listed here:

http://www.hellolights.com/aro4l.html

SunnyX · #19 06/08/2006, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ceak
haha I see you work on impulse! Can't wait to see those on your tank...

Seems like everything in life these days is an impulse.

szwab · #20 06/08/2006, 08:31 AM

yep, last screen, I think that's what it said. Guess I made the assumption that it was 10% off everything.