Comparing PAR readings
 

I recently switched from Radium 20Ks on 250W HQI (M80) ballasts with Iwasaki 15Ks on 175 W electronic ballasts. The measured electrical usage is literally half (~360W/ballast vs ~180W/ballast).

OLD (250 HQI Radiums):
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c197/fkshiu/PAR-1.jpg

NEW (175 electronic Iwasaki) - I've done some re-aquascaping since the last readings:
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...u/IMG_2167.jpg

Not bad and on par (sorry for the pun) with Sanjay Joshi's results.

any measurement with the original bulbs and new ballast (or new bulbs / old ballast)?

Also kind of interesting how the 15K more purple than the 20K.

I can't do a new bulb/old ballast comparo because I'm going from 250W to 175W ballasts.

The pictures aren't an accurate representation of what the tank looks like. I just put the Radium readings on an old picture when I was using XM 10K bulbs, in fact. Here is what the tank looked like with the Radiums and all my actinics on (VHO URI superactinic and T5HO G-man Actinic+) - yes, it was go blue or go home:

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...u/IMG_2146.jpg

The picture with the Iwasaki readings is what the tank looks like now with the Iwasakis along with various actinics. However, I took all the PAR readings with only the MHs on.

Franklin,

When you have time, I'd like to test my PAR readings again.

Thanks,

Anthony

Good readings. Sure see the low par in the center with the long spread. I really like the color in the Iwasaki tank but guess the super actinics would be helping there.

Before I went with my CV lumerbright/12k/CV ballast combo, I was seriously looking at running the Iwasaki over my cube but the back order & cost of the bulb turned me off somewhat.

I think it looks nicer than the Radium look and wayyyyyyyyyy nicer than the 10k look, although I,m sure it was loaded with par.

Yeah, I really love how the Iwasakis look with the actinics. It's a perfect balance especially considering the electricy vs. PAR ratio. The XMs on the HQI were extremely powerful but a little too yellow and the Radium blue got a bit tedious after a bit - while reds, greens and blues really popped, the Radium washed out yellows. The Iwasaki is juuuust right - it is absolutely perfect with the actinics.

I got the Iwasaki from Marine Depot in the US and had them sent to my PO box in Pt. Roberts. They are much cheaper this way especially with the better Canadian dollar nowadays.