Lighting Study - Reflectors

[sanjay]

I am going to start a serious test of all reflectors starting in July. before I start this I would like to get some input on what data people would like to see and on what products.

Keep in mind, that I have spent enough out of my own pocket already and am not going to spend more on getting products and multiple copies of products. I am very grateful to some of the vendors who have sent me products in the past for testing.

Also, I will run some more tests on lamps. As for testing multiple lamps, once again if I can get the lamps I will test them.

So if you have any one willing to send me reflectors and lamps please contact me.

As usual I will be very happy to share the information, as I have no vested or commercial interests.

sanjay.

 

[Len]

Can't wait for the results!

Data I would like to see is pretty obvious fare: PAR differences between reflectors, light dispersion data, and possibly any spectral shifts.

Let me see what parts I can acquire for you, if not just as a loan.

 

[SPC]

Thanks for doing this test Sanjay, I sent you a PM.
Steve

 

[Ritteri&Bubbles]

I think a direct comparison on the 150 DE and 250 DE(Both the 20k and 10k,Ushio,BLV and Radium) bulbs WITHOUT REFLECTORS and WITH UV SHIELDS would be great so we can all see what they really offer comapred to the single ended bulbs and to put alot of myths to rest for once and for all. The reason I say with UV shield is becuase single ended bulbs already have an outer casing that acts as a UV shield, something the DE bulbs dont have.

I know this thread is about the reflectors, but I just wanted to make a statement I think alot of folks would like to see and read.

As for reflectors, It would be great to see a different between all the common DE reflectors, Giesemann hammertones, AB aqualine series(all the same,starlight,sunlight etc are all identical),PFO mini pendant, and hamilton reefstar.

All your effort and time is appreciated Sanjay. If the manufacturers dont send you a complete list above, please email me or PM me and I will gladly try and send you the items you may be missing from my list above.

 

[dsb1829]

Reflectors of most controversy:

- spiderlight reflectors (mogul base retrofit)

- PFO reflectors (mogul base retrofit)

- Lampsnow reflectors (mogul base retrofit)

- Flat spectral alluminum and gloss white would also be helpful for reference

- PFO Mini-hqi pendants

- A new one, Sunlight Supply Mini-hqi pendant. Contact Perry at Sunlight Supply to discuss getting one to test (1-888-478-6544). I know that he is very active right now doing some lighting tests with the company.

- Would love to see some AB and Geissmann pendants tested, but I think you got a snoballs chance in you know where of them loaning you a fixture for the test. You also come into the issue of their manufacturing several different pendants, so which would you test.

Lamps:
- 10kk Ushio DE and mogul
- 10kk AB DE and mogul
- 20kk radium
- Xanium and unobtanium bulbs from Lampsnow :lol:
- iwasaki 6500k, iwasaki 50kk

That should keep you busy for a while :lol: :wink:

 

[Ritteri&Bubbles]

dsb1829: Even though Giesemann makes many different pendants, they all use the exact same DE reflector. Same with AB-Aqualine, they have many different styles of pendants, but all of them use the same exact reflector too. SO all Sanjay would need is one from each company. And I believe Inlandreef will be supplying them. It was mentioned to me by Tom a few weeks back that they would lend out a few units.

 

[liquid]

In addition to the reflectors mentioned above, I'd also like to see you test those DiamondLight reflectors you've been using over your tanks. I saw one of these over Rich King's tank @ Marine Ecosystems last year and was very impressed with it. Right now I am trying to justify to my wife why I need to buy this huge reflector.

Also, I'd be interested in seeing how the light is distributed as the distance from the bulb is increased. As I'm sure you know, true eliptical reflectors focus light at a fixed focal length whereas true parabolic reflectors keep the light much more columnar and the watt density drops off much slower as the distance from the bulb increases (within reason of course). I'm wondering how the light is focused/defocused by the various reflectors out on the market. Measuring the lamp/reflector assembly at fixed distances of say, 6", 12", 18", etc would be very interesting to see.

In regards to lamp testing: most people are interested in the halides and I'm sure you'll have your hands full with suggestions there. However, if you would ever have time, it would be interesting to see PAR, etc, for the VHO's and PC's that are commonly used in our hobby. To date, I have seen no real work done with these bulbs anywhere on the net.

What would be cool would be to setup some sort of donation fund to help you w/ your testing as I know that testing this kind of equipment can get expensive fast if you can't get someone to donate a bulb and/or reflector for you to test. I know I'd be willing to send an amount to help defray your expenses.

btw...Sanjay, did you get my email?

Shane

 

[dsb1829]

Actually that comment was mainly aimed at AB since I have no experience with geissmann. AB does in fact have a couple of different reflectors. They are not the same from say an aquaspacelight to an aquastarlight. This has to do with how they implement their actinic supplements into the aquaspacelight.

 

[Anonymous]

I'd be interested to know how wide an area each reflector can cover - a measurement like "two feet below the bulb the light was a bright 2 foot circle" would help give me an idea how focused each reflector is.

thanks!

jayo

 

[Chucker]

Sanjay- I've got a pair of Spiderlights that currently are sitting in storage. If you'd like to use them, just let me know.

 

[mkirda]

I am going to start a serious test of all reflectors starting in July. before I start this I would like to get some input on what data people would like to see and on what products.

Sanjay,

I was wondering if you fell of the face of the earth. We talked about doing this months ago, then I never heard back from you and started without you...

I had just sent this to Andy Hipkiss on RC:
http://www.reefcentral.com/vbulletin/sh ... adid=93134

I obviously don't have access to spectral analysis machinery, but own a PAR meter now. I have access to a lot of club member's tanks, and would be keenly interested in collaborating with others in terms to trying to nail down light fields within tanks.

Anyway, let me know what you think. I'd rather coordinate this work with others, rather than work in a vacuum, so we can all compare apples to apples instead of oranges...

Regards.
Mike Kirda

 

[bowfront]

Sanjay,

Thanks for all the testing to date. Glad to hear that you are getting ready to do some more. Personally I think you need to do additional testing of DE bulbs and reflectors/pendants/fixtures associated with these. In case you are unaware graphs of independant tests done by Dana Riddle were recently presented in this thread
http://www.reefcentral.com/vbulletin/sh ... adid=93807
and show the DE bulbs tested to have a substantially lower PAR/PPFD value than comparable wattage/brand SE bulbs. The 250W Ushio DE bulb tested with a lower PAR than a 175W Ushio SE bulb. This would seem to differ considerably from your earlier work and only leaves us all wondering more. :?: Why not let us know (by posting here) what hardware you have accumulated before you start actual tests and maybe there can be some last minute additions. Best of luck with it.

 

[Mouse]

Do you think i could get a loan to do a long term test, ooooh say 20 years or so.

Nice work Sanjay, theres nothing like fact to base an opinion on.

 

[Anonymous]

i have (4) year old 400W, 6500K iwasakis that I would be willing to ship you if you need/want them for the test.

 

[batman]

Sanjay,
What about creating a "testing" fund provided by us hobbyists? I am sure enough of us are interested enough to donate some $ for advancement of on of the MOST critical areas of our hobby.
If we raised enough $ perhaps you could maintain a sampling (3 of each) of all of the most popular ballasts and simply rotate bulbs out as they come along. The tested bulbs could then be sold on one of these forums to gain additional $ for future purchases.

I reiterate what R&B mentioned for testing.
Also, the Radium 400W 20K mogul bulb.

 

[-JB]

Sanjay,

Could you list the lamps and reflectors you have and are planning to use? That way if someone finds a lamp or reflector they are interested in, that is not being represented, they might be able to sent you one.

 

[sanjay]

Thanks for the input and the offers of help. I will be counting on your help.

At this point I would like to stay away from any cash contributions. Hopefully I will be able to get everything through your support and the support of the manufacturers/vendors.

I am in the process of creating a list of my current inventory, and this will give you all a good idea of what is missing, and also add to items that I may have overlooked.

I'll post the list in a day or two, look for it here.

Thanks,

sanjay.

 

[Anonymous]

Hey,

When Sanjay lets us know what he needs, we could get togeather and buy it for him instead of directly sending him cash. Does that make sense, and is someone willing to be the CFO of such a plan?

RR

PS

Sanjay, thanks for the work you have already done, and for the future work. It is really helpful.

RR

 

[batman]

Sanjay,
No problem, I understand. I will review your list and add with anything I can.
Righty: That might make sense as well....

I will help in any way I can.

 

[Nathan1]

I'd like to see the following spectrum analysis:

12K SunBurst -- These bulbs have been out for a long time now and I've not seen anyone do a spectral chart.

10K Blueline -- These bulbs also have been out for a long time

10K Ushio Vs. 10K Aqualine Busche -- Someone said that the 10K AB bulb is bluer but it would be nice to see the actual difference in chart form.

Thanks!

-Nathan