Lighting question

[reefcrazed]

Does anyone know if spectral output is more important than PAR in determining how blue a MH blub is, or is there no correlation? I'm comparing the output of a PFO-HQI ballast with the XM 20K MH and Radium 20K MH bulbs, and while they both have ouputs in the 454 nm range, the XM has higher spectral output and less in the other wavelengths. I'm trying to determine which bulb will burn more blue on a PFO-HQI MH ballast.

Reefcrazed

 

[grouper therapy]

What wattage ?

 

[reefcrazed]

Opps. 400W mogul

 

[grouper therapy]

According to Sanjay's sight the spectrum is almost identical on those two bulbs with the Xm peaking slightly bluer than the Radium .The radium blows the xm away so far as par. I also run the pfo HQI ballast and the radium bulbs are not as blue as the helios or evcs that I run now. The PFO HQI drives the radiums at around 520 watts! Any 20 k bulb overdriven that much will loose some blue and whiten up some. XM's typically have better par on regular probe start magnetic ballast.

 

[reefcrazed]

So the sacrifice could be lower PAR on a different ballast but more energy savings. I may look for another ballast, I'm trying to get the bluest light I can. Any brand suggestions?

RC

 

[grouper therapy]

Reefcrazed;520176 wrote: So the sacrifice could be lower PAR on a different ballast but more energy savings. I may look for another ballast, I'm trying to get the bluest light I can. Any brand suggestions?

RC

I'm not sure I understand the question. There are bulbs that will burn blue on the HQI ballast. The (Helios and EVC supposedly the same bulb) burn very blue in my opion with par that is equal to or higher than a Radium on the PFO ballast. There are so many combinations that work well together it would be hard to say exactly . I think Dave (acroholic ) and some others burn Radiums on electronic ballast and have tremendous par with the blue!