14K phoenix bulbs

[viperfish]

Originally Posted by whatcaneyedo

I remember that article and was going to post it. Its probably the reason why I've been using Phoenix for the last 3 years. I place them over my display for 12 months at 7-8 hours a day and then over my frag tank for another 5-6 months. After about a year and a half I often get some cyano appearing under the old bulb. Whether the change in spectrum and intensity causes it or if its just coincidence I'm not sure. I guess its worth mentioning too that I use HQI ballasts which don't seem to be available anymore. According to my Apex controller the electricity they draw is actually more like 360W each.

You got my curiosity going so I checked my Apex, I'm drawing 288 watts each on mine, they are HQI also. That's some kind of power you're pumping out of those things!

[Myka]

Doodskis, this thread is 4 years old! Good subject though.

[whatcaneyedo]

I'd rather see an old thread brought back than a new one started about the same subject any day.

[RuGlu6]

Originally Posted by medhatreefguy

You got my curiosity going so I checked my Apex, I'm drawing 288 watts each on mine, they are HQI also. That's some kind of power you're pumping out of those things!

What wattage your bulbs are? 250W?

[viperfish]

Originally Posted by RuGlu6

What wattage your bulbs are? 250W?

Correct, 250. DE bulbs are know to draw higher than the rated wattage.

[whatcaneyedo]

Do you have a true magnestic ballast or are you using a select-a-watt electronic ballast? Mine are magnetic, I've got a dual ballast from Sunlight Supply and a single from Hamilton. I may actually be higher than what I said before. Just now I shut off everything on the powerbar except the hamilton and it was 3.3 amps for that light alone. If watts = amps x volts I guess thats 396W unless I understand that wrong.

[viperfish]

Originally Posted by whatcaneyedo

Do you have a true magnestic ballast or are you using a select-a-watt electronic ballast? Mine are magnetic, I've got a dual ballast from Sunlight Supply and a single from Hamilton. I may actually be higher than what I said before. Just now I shut off everything on the powerbar except the hamilton and it was 3.3 amps for that light alone. If watts = amps x volts I guess thats 396W unless I understand that wrong.

Mine is an Aqua Medic dual ballast, not electronic. I did the same as you and I was at 4.8 Amps for both.

[lastlight]

4.8 for two? Doesn't sound like M80? The 3.3 sounds bang on.

[viperfish]

Originally Posted by lastlight

4.8 for two? Doesn't sound like M80? The 3.3 sounds bang on.

It certainly is. It's the Aqua Medic M ballast, made by Tridonic in Germany for Aqua Medic.

[lastlight]

Is it somehow more efficient? you'd think it'd be closer to 2 x 3.3?