PAR rating of Metal Halide Bulbs

[fishgeek01]

Ok first off, I know that the old way was watts per gallon. Now everyone talks about PAR ratings. Could someone explain to me what a PAR reading is? Also does anyone know of a list of the PAR ratings for the various bulbs that we can buy. I am looking at switching out my MH bulbs, and want to get the best I can that will still work in my unit. If anyone has suggestions for 150 watt MH bulbs let me know, I run the outer orbit fixture with 2-150 watt bulbs and 2-110 watt pc's. I currently have 10k but am looking at 14k for my next purchase. I like the XM bulbs, but am told they have a lower PAR rating. Anybody know anything about any of this?

 

[fishgeek01]

This is the info on my light fixutre off of the net, i beleive the only needed info is the microprocessor and the electonic ballasts
Complete 24-hour lighting
- 10,000k HQI metal halide, Dual Actinic Sunpaqs & Lunar Lights
- Microprocessor based driving system - 15% more output
- All-in-one fixture
- industries first integrated electronic ballast (no remote ballast’s)
- Cool running, ultra-quiet fans for maximum thermal efficiency
- Easy installation
- stainless suspension system and docking mounts included

 

[darknes]

I don't think I can explain the PAR well enough for you.
However, if you go to the manufacturer's site, they usually have a spec sheet with all the PAR, wattage, K-value, etc. for their bulbs.
For example, the manufacturer of my MH bulb, USHIO, gives all their values here:
http://www.ushio.com/Files/Aqualite.pdf
(Hopefully site is ok, they don't actually sell anything there)

 

[fishgeek01]

Thanks for the info Darknes, can you help me with a list of the manufacturers with bulbs worth mentioning, I would like to see if I can put together a list of the Par ratings for each manufacturer for future members to veiw

 

[tx reef]

I am guessing that you are looking for HQI bulbs since you have 150 watt MH. If so, go with Pheonix.

 

[hurt]

Google: "cnidarianreef MH"
This will give you exactly what you are looking for. XM 10K's put out plenty of par, XM 15K's on the other hand do not.

 

[fishgeek01]

Originally Posted by Hurt
Google: "cnidarianreef MH"
This will give you exactly what you are looking for. XM 10K's put out plenty of par, XM 15K's on the other hand do not.
thanks hurt for the info

 

[tx reef]

Do you need double ended or single ended bulbs?

 

[fishgeek01]

I want for double ended, there is a lot of good info on the page Hurt sent me to, but it is for single ended mogul socket 250 watt. I am particularly looking for 150 double ended... thanks though Hurt... and thanks TX reef for continuing to help...

 

[tx reef]

The best DE bulb out there (in my opinion) is Pheonix.

 

[hurt]

In that case, google: "reeflightinginfo search performance data"
Once you graph it, look at the PPFD reading, this is a very similiar measurement to PAR.

 

[fishgeek01]

wow, that is a lot of info hurt, thanks, any idea though how to read the charts it gives you? I take it the peaks are what we are most interested in? as well as what nm they are at, i now normal actinic is 420-460 so the closer to that i am assuming the more blue in color...

 

[hurt]

I just changed the search in the above post. You are currently looking at the actual spectural plots. They mearly show what wavelengths the bulbs peak at. The visible light spectrum is the one which we can see and follows as in nm: 380-450 violet, 450-495 blue, 495-570 green, 570-590 yellow, 590-620 orange, and 620-750 red.
If you google it again, and plot your desired bulb, you will see the PPFD output. This is the number I would be most concerned with.

 

[fishgeek01]

okthanks hurt, now on the ppfd is higher better or lower i am assuming higher?

 

[hurt]

Yep, the higher the better.

 

[fishgeek01]

thanks hurt you have been a big help this evening. I think I am going to go with the phgeonix or the ushio, based on the tests on there the ushio should be pretty good, didnt see any info on the pheonix bulbs, but found some about the par ratings from an earlier reply.