Lumatek Dimmable/Multi Wattage Ballasts
- Thread starter tgriffin
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Tyson....talk to Acroholic. All of his ballasts are dimmable. I'm not sure they are Lumatek's though. May be Coralife's. I know for a fact that he LOVES them though.
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I think it might have been Raj that was planning to use and do some testing with those ballasts.
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My frag tables are being lit by lumatek dimmable multi watt ballast. They will be in this coming week. I love the multi tap and multi watt option. A little weary about the dimmable option but I guess I will see soon enough.
Tyson,
The Lumateks are great ballasts. I don't think you'd go wrong with those either. But there is a difference in the "dimmable" feature of Lumatek vs Coralvue. Knowing this is important for your buying decision.
Lumateks are "dimmable" between 3 or 4 different wattages, meaning you can run 175 watt bulbs, 250 watt bulbs, 400 watt bulbs, or HQI bulbs, BUT that is a "click, click, click" feature that will run different wattage bulbs at only that specified wattage, meaning if you want to run a 175 watt bulb you click to the 175 watt setting on the ballast and screw in a 175 watt bulb, same for a 250, 400 etc. They run at that wattage and that is it.
Coralvue ballasts are dimmable in that with the 400 watt dimmable ballasts I have, I can manually dim a 400 watt bulb via a rotary volume control type knob anywhere from -35% to 100%, then with a click of the knob past 100%, overdrive the bulb by +10%.
In other words, Lumateks drive different wattage halides, but only at that specified wattage, whereas CoralVue dimmable ballasts actually dim/overdrive the specified wattage bulb they are made for, either 250 or 400 watts.
They are really quite different in what each manufacturer calls "dimmable." Good to know before you make your buying decision, but either are quality ballasts, IMO.
I have found the dimmable feature of the CV ballasts to be a great thing, especially with different corals and acclimating new corals. The dimmable feature only adds $15-$20 to the ballast price anyways.
I think that is how the Lumateks are. Chris can correct me on this if I am wrong since he uses them.
The Lumateks are great ballasts. I don't think you'd go wrong with those either. But there is a difference in the "dimmable" feature of Lumatek vs Coralvue. Knowing this is important for your buying decision.
Lumateks are "dimmable" between 3 or 4 different wattages, meaning you can run 175 watt bulbs, 250 watt bulbs, 400 watt bulbs, or HQI bulbs, BUT that is a "click, click, click" feature that will run different wattage bulbs at only that specified wattage, meaning if you want to run a 175 watt bulb you click to the 175 watt setting on the ballast and screw in a 175 watt bulb, same for a 250, 400 etc. They run at that wattage and that is it.
Coralvue ballasts are dimmable in that with the 400 watt dimmable ballasts I have, I can manually dim a 400 watt bulb via a rotary volume control type knob anywhere from -35% to 100%, then with a click of the knob past 100%, overdrive the bulb by +10%.
In other words, Lumateks drive different wattage halides, but only at that specified wattage, whereas CoralVue dimmable ballasts actually dim/overdrive the specified wattage bulb they are made for, either 250 or 400 watts.
They are really quite different in what each manufacturer calls "dimmable." Good to know before you make your buying decision, but either are quality ballasts, IMO.
I have found the dimmable feature of the CV ballasts to be a great thing, especially with different corals and acclimating new corals. The dimmable feature only adds $15-$20 to the ballast price anyways.
I think that is how the Lumateks are. Chris can correct me on this if I am wrong since he uses them.
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I have not used them yet as I have been waiting on them for a while now. They are suposed to be in this week. Dave I have been trying to get the facts straight on how it actually works with the dimmability but it is my understanding that they will also overdrive bulbs. The new ones are being Marketed as "Multi-watt/Dimmable ballast". When the knob is turned all the way past 400w you hit overdrive I believe.
skriz
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I bought the SLS Galaxy select-a-watt ballast. It will power up to 400w and has an overdrive option for 400w. I absolutely LOVE the ballast.
I went with the Galaxy over the Lumatek because of the manufacturer backing it. I have much more faith in Sunlight Supply should I ever have a warranty issue.
I went with the Galaxy over the Lumatek because of the manufacturer backing it. I have much more faith in Sunlight Supply should I ever have a warranty issue.
