The perfect reefing light. New technology!

[suckair]

I found this information on the internet and plan to get a setup for
my new 400g system. I will let you know when I get the lamp operational.




The Sulfur Lamp is:

Full Spectrum, like the sun
Very Stable, both in color and brightness
Very low UV and minimal IR / heat in beam
Very Efficient, the most efficient source available
Long-lived, with minimal service requirements
Environmentally safe, just sulfur and argon
Quick to start, 100% in 25 seconds
Operable in any position
Dimmable to 30%, and maintains color
Very consistant in performance, from unit to unit



How frequently will you need to change the bulb?

The bulbs may, in fact, never need to be changed. Because there is no filament or electrode in the lamp itself, there is nothing to burn out or break. It is possible to consider the bulb to be useable for many years.



When you say this is a replacement for sunlight, what exactly do you mean?

Throughout the visible light spectrum, the sulfur lamp has bright, full-color characteristics just like the sun. The sulfur lamp is very unique in this way. Fluorescent lamps and other high-intensity discharge lamps "also known as Metal Halide" emit only bits and pieces of the full spectra of colors. The sulfur lamp, just like the sun, radiates a broad spectra of full color.

I have the link to the web site that talks about them >>
http://www.thelightingcenter.com/fusion/fusion.asp

If anyone has played with these lights before or has researched them I would like to know!

Randall

 

[scavdog]

if memory serves me correctly,
these lamps fire with the assistance of a microwave device because the sulphur would destroy any filaments within the bulb.

I heard the unit cost over 7 grand. Have you looked into pricing yet? As far as I know they were to become commercially available as of 2002. Before that I heard they were using them in military hanger bays. It will be very interesting to see what these lights will be able to do for a captive reef. :lol:

 

[ChrisRD]

Randall:

Sounds promising, doesn't it? I know it's been mentioned on this board before.

The specs. on the lamp at that site:

CCT = 6,000 Kelvin
CRI = 79
Output =135,000 lumens
Power Consumption = 1,425 watts

Things that come to mind:

Color temp and CRI seem a bit low (for reef lighting) on that particular lamp. It would be interesting to see spectral analysis. If you do the math, the output equates to roughly 95 lumens per watt. That's actually less than halides of similar wattage (in comparable CCT and CRI lamps), which can often exceed 100 lumens per watt.

I think when they make more appropriate lamps someday for the reef hobby, the lamp longevity thing could be a huge bonus. Maybe some day it will be an alternative to MH for reef keepers. Anyone heard how far out (years?) this technology is for a reef application?

 

[ChrisRD]

I heard the unit cost over 7 grand.

8O ......so much for a cost effective alternative to MH......

 

[suckair]

These lamps are avaliable now. I have sent in a email request for pricing and delivery. I will post back when I get some information.

Randall

 

[suckair]

I just got off the phone with Fusion Lighting.

The unit's are not avliable until 1st Quarter 2003 "they hope" but this is what they told me. I am on the list of evaluation users and they will contact me when these become avaliable.

The lamp's output is heavy in the blue spectrum and penetration in water is excellent. They did a test for Seaworld in their living sea display and it was spectacular. He indicated that the PAR rating for these lamps is much higher than any type of HID lamp avaliable and the lamps don't suffer any degradation or color shifting. The lamp's spectrum output is heavy on the PAR side "not by design" so he thinks it will work well for my application.

Their new setups are using a special electronic power supply for the magnatron and also are using a special magnatron so they can achieve a 40,000 hr life between magnatron and "bulb motor" replacemnts. The bulb has to spin at a speed of 4000 rpm. These units will be avaliable aroun 1st qtr. That is about the time I will be setting up my 400g reef so I will let you guys know how this turns out!

PS I may have to get my fish sunglasses!

 

[ChrisRD]

Wow - that sounds pretty awesome! How did you manage that deal?! Keep us posted...

 

[plankton123]

Hmm. A magnatron exciting sulfur (gas?) in a tube rotating at 4000 RPM and generating 135,000 lums....and in your house running 8-10 hours a day? I think you'll need more than eye protection. Sign me up for lead undergarments.

 

[Marcosreef]

Greetings,

One experiment we tried as kids was to put a flourecent bulb (ie. GE Circuline) in the microwave oven at start it up.

We were amazed at how the bulb instantly lit without any wires.

And for those who live near high-tension overhead power lines, holding up a flourecent bulb directly underneath will usually cause the bulb to lite.

Just some interesting trivia.

Marco

 

[Logical]

<<<checks to make sure wife is gone...and runs to the microwave!

 

[reefland]

suckair - did they talk about price? What are you expecting to pay for your lighting setup?