Any other true SE HQI beyond 250W Radium?

[Anonymous]

I know the 250W Radium is designed for HQI ballast running, but are there any others out there (250W SE range) that are also designed this way? I know you can run others on HQI, but it shortens the bulb life, and I really don't want to buy new bulbs every 6 mths.

 

[Len]

Not sure if there is any aquarium bulbs specifically made for HQI ballasts. Even the radium has shortened life on a true HQI ballast. HQI systems drives the bulbs harder then regular M series or electronic ballasts. It produces bulbs that are brighter and usually whiter looking, but all the bulbs are driven hard and won't last as long.

 

[Anonymous]

Not sure if there is any aquarium bulbs specifically made for HQI ballasts. Even the radium has shortened life on a true HQI ballast. HQI systems drives the bulbs harder then regular M series or electronic ballasts. It produces bulbs that are brighter and usually whiter looking, but all the bulbs are driven hard and won't last as long.

I have read that the Radium 250W SE version is designed for true HQI ballasts (it is the only one I've found though). I've had one running for 6 mths or so, but to me, it doesn't do a very good job at pulling out some of the colors of my corals compared to say 14K bulbs. I just can't see buying new bulbs every 6 mths.

 

[Anonymous]

It could be the frequency the bulb hits at, with the HQI it's what 60hz? where as electronic ballasts it's in the tens of thousands of hertz. Was reading how that could also be a major factor in whether or not it's being run properly. Granted this was with DE bulbs, but the gist of it, is yeah the electronic ballasts will work, and will work longer, but the drop off of intensity is quicker. *shrug* I don't have any evidence to back that up, just passing on what I read

 

[Anonymous]

It could be the frequency the bulb hits at, with the HQI it's what 60hz? where as electronic ballasts it's in the tens of thousands of hertz. Was reading how that could also be a major factor in whether or not it's being run properly. Granted this was with DE bulbs, but the gist of it, is yeah the electronic ballasts will work, and will work longer, but the drop off of intensity is quicker. *shrug* I don't have any evidence to back that up, just passing on what I read

But that is for HQI-DE designed bulbs yes? I guess it makes sense that running anything on a ballast that it was not designed for will lead to faster then normal intensity drops. Oh well, guess I will let the Radium run its course and make a decision later. I still have a 400W magnetic PFO ballast on hand in case I want to go back to that.

 

[Anonymous]

Yeah, but my point was maybe the Radium bulbs are specifically made for the smaller frequency that a magnetic HQI ballast has, as opposed to electronic.

 

[Anonymous]

Yeah, but my point was maybe the Radium bulbs are specifically made for the smaller frequency that a magnetic HQI ballast has, as opposed to electronic.

Ah, and I suspect that is the case. Shame it seems to be the only one.