labas39
Active member
I bought two [MENTION=3452]Hamilton Technology[/MENTION] 250W double ended bulbs a couple months ago now. These are the new redesigned bulbs that are supposed to be on PAR with Phoenix and bluer than the older design.
I have a PAR meter so I did some of my own tests. I compared 2 of my 5 month old Hamiltons to 2 of my 4 month old Phoenix to 2 of the new Hamiltons. I also tested just above the waters surface and about 3 inches below.
Here are the results:
@ Surface:
Old Hamilton: 240/240
Phoenix: 330/335
New Hamilton: 330/325
3 Inches Below:
Old Hamilton: 130/140
Phoenix: 170/180
New Hamilton:180/180
The new bulbs do have the same PAR readings as my used Phoenix. I didn't have new Phoenix to compare with and I'm not sure how much they lost.
As far as the color goes, that's obviously subjective. A friend of mine and I feel that the older design was a bit bluer but this new color is still pretty good. The old ones may have been bluer because I only gave the new bulbs a couple days to burn in.
As far as my acros go, they changed color to the better. As you know with this crazy hobby, I can't say for sure if it was the light or because I purposely started to change my water less frequently. Either way, things look great under these new bulbs.
I have a PAR meter so I did some of my own tests. I compared 2 of my 5 month old Hamiltons to 2 of my 4 month old Phoenix to 2 of the new Hamiltons. I also tested just above the waters surface and about 3 inches below.
Here are the results:
@ Surface:
Old Hamilton: 240/240
Phoenix: 330/335
New Hamilton: 330/325
3 Inches Below:
Old Hamilton: 130/140
Phoenix: 170/180
New Hamilton:180/180
The new bulbs do have the same PAR readings as my used Phoenix. I didn't have new Phoenix to compare with and I'm not sure how much they lost.
As far as the color goes, that's obviously subjective. A friend of mine and I feel that the older design was a bit bluer but this new color is still pretty good. The old ones may have been bluer because I only gave the new bulbs a couple days to burn in.
As far as my acros go, they changed color to the better. As you know with this crazy hobby, I can't say for sure if it was the light or because I purposely started to change my water less frequently. Either way, things look great under these new bulbs.
how much you used to do and how much you are doing now ? and what other things are you dosing other than the big3