My other Lumatek ballast went and I replaced it with another LuXcore and also a new Phoenix 14K bulb to compare the PAR to the Hamilton versus a 6 month old Phoenix bulb from the previous post. I still cannot run the LuXcore ballasts on a GFCI but I am not having issues with them firing up without being connected to the GFCI.
Results:
Phoenix 14K on LuXcore ballast:
HQI Setting - 269 watts of power draw at 825 PAR
Standard setting - 256 watts of power draw at 775 PAR
One week old Hamilton
Hamilton 20K on LuXcore ballast:
HQI Setting - 261 watts of power draw at 765 PAR
Standard setting - 249 watts of power draw at 720 PAR
The PAR measurements were taken 8" under the bottom of the reflector. The Phoenix has more of a white look when compared to the Hamilton. I wanted to have a bluer look than what I am used to without sacrificing PAR so I think I am going to run two Hamilton's over my tank. I have been running Phoenix 14K bulbs for the past 9 years and feel it is time for a change.
