Two new Hamilton 250 w pendants.

[Sctip]

I bought two MH pendants. I am told they are Hamilton's that were purchased at Aqua Mart a few years ago.

My question is how high off the water is optimum for these lights. They will cover 48" x 24" and 12" deep. I'm having problems finding information about these light because there are no markings on the pendants and the drivers only say electronic ballasts.

Does anyone have any suggestions or information about these lights?

These are the bulbs in the pendants.

 

[sethsolomon]

you will probably want them 18-24 inches off the water. Also, they need new bulbs. Order some 14k phoenix bulbs or 20k hamilton's. I strongly recommend the 14k phoenixs.

 

[Sctip]

Will do thanks. I'm assuming those bulbs are not up for the game?

 

[Sctip]

Seth is this right? The price seems ridiculously cheap?

 

[sethsolomon]

No those are china knockoff bulbs. Buying cheap bulbs will result in cheap results.

http://www.amazon.com/Phoenix-Electric-Company-Aquarium-250-watt/dp/B003JNYD62

 

[Sctip]

Thank you Seth. I will buy these on the 1st.

 

[sethsolomon]

They are cheaper on BRS and Premium Aquatics

 

[Sctip]

Nice thanks Seth. My wallet thanks you lol

 

[sethsolomon]

Also check if any of the LFS can bring them in for you.

 

[Sctip]

Will do.

 

[jda123]

The Phoenix 14K is going to be a bit bluer on those electronic ballasts. Still a nice looking bulb, but closer to 20K than 14K.

 

[Sctip]

The Phoenix 14K is going to be a bit bluer on those electronic ballasts. Still a nice looking bulb, but closer to 20K than 14K.

That's good to know I loved the way my 20k were before I took a break in 2009.

 

[sethsolomon]

The Phoenix 14K is going to be a bit bluer on those electronic ballasts. Still a nice looking bulb, but closer to 20K than 14K.

Hey Doug, any idea what the old bulbs he has are?

 

[Miah2bzy]

Hey Doug, any idea what the old bulbs he has are?

Those are the same marking on my Phoenix 14k DE 250 bulb.

 

[sethsolomon]

ahh gotcha they have new markings from the old ones I have.

 

[Sctip]

Those are the same marking on my Phoenix 14k DE 250 bulb.

So those are the Phoenix then? That's great news considering I was told they have six months of use on them.

 

[sethsolomon]

So those are the Phoenix then? That's great news considering I was told they have six months of use on them.

the coloration on the inside makes me think they have much more than 6 months of use on them. But if they truly only have 6 months of use on them you could use them for another 4-6 months.

 

[Miah2bzy]

So those are the Phoenix then? That's great news considering I was told they have six months of use on them.

Lookup the markings on google images and it'll pull up phoenix 14k bulbs. I mark my bulbs in permanent marker on the non-glass part with the date so I know when I installed them, I ran for a year at 4 hours per day and then replaced them - kept them in the old box (labeled again with the end date) - this way you'll always have backups in a pinch or can't afford to buy bulbs when they go out.

 

[Miah2bzy]

the coloration on the inside makes me think they have much more than 6 months of use on them. But if they truly only have 6 months of use on them you could use them for another 4-6 months.

I'd keep them as backups and replace them - never know how long "6 months" is to someone. That sounded really vague to me and those bulbs do look older than 6 months like you said.

 

[Sctip]

Thanks guys.