Metal Halide ballast info

TheReefGeek · #1 03-07-2006, 02:56 PM

According to this site, the XM 20K has higher PPFD than the 15K, check near the bottom of the page, there is a comparison chart.

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2005/6/aafeature2/view

I am also surprised that the name brand ballasts seem to get lower PPFD on average, than the "standard" magnetic M59 type ballast (not sure what brand "standard" is though!)

Invigor · #2 03-07-2006, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheReefGeek

I am also surprised that the name brand ballasts seem to get lower PPFD on average, than the "standard" magnetic M59 type ballast (not sure what brand "standard" is though!)

electronic ballasts aren't known for high performance, but for economy. Also, XM designs their bulbs to run best on probe start ballasts -- hence the better numbers on the standard magnetic ballasts. It proves that XM did a good job fine tuning the bulb for probe start ballasts.