I suppose the 24w are only for dusk/dawn effect. Does not make sense in running them with the Plasma- Unless they all actinics to enhance color of coral and fish only
-
If you are a related business or shop and wish to advertise on this forum and our facebook group then please send an email to admin@marineaquariumsa.com or use the Contact Us link at the bottom of the page. Cost is R1500.00 for 6 months sponsorship.
Plasma Lights Hit SA Shores
- Thread starter George
- Start date
Good point Adee. Leigh is there not a lower output available or is the plasma light dimmable? We dont want to shock the corals
by my calculations, on a softie tank running currently on T5 units. Its not really worthwhile to switch to plasma. Only taking electrical cost into account. On any 1.5 - 1.8 system, take my tank for example,
running with 8 T5 54W globes, total consumption 432W
running with 2 * plasma, plus 8 * 24W T5 total consumption 652W
That is about 50% more wattage consumed compared to a all T5 setup.
OK, OK
globe cost, replacing T5 twice a year, between R200 to R300 a globe, anything from R1600 to R2400 for one year only. Saving of between R133 to R200 per month.
Question is, as that R200 saving per month more than the extra 220W * municipal rate.
On a MH setup, and SPS tanks, yes I believe plasma is the answer. But I do not feel convinced that for a softie setup, plasma will replace T5 setups.
Or am I wrong. Might be, if plasma can be run in dimmed mode, for softies.
A PAR meter reading measured midway in tank, will accurately decide how high it should be placed in a tank be it for softies or SPS. Just keep it high up if you worried about softies.
I'm interested in the PAR readings and the workable lifespan of the globe.
I'm interested in the PAR readings and the workable lifespan of the globe.
@RIAAN, remember that you still need to replace to 24watt T5 that are part of the plasma setup! So its only the plasma that you are saving on replacement bulb costs!
@Sean, The Kelvin temp of the Plasma is the same as the sun, so 6000k odd, I suspect the 24watt T5 are purely to get the blue spectrum of colour up, 6000k is really not gonna look to pretty all by its self.
@ Leigh, are ALL plasma 6000k? if so all the units would have to have to have supplementary T5 to get the nice Blue shimmer going in our tanks?!?!
@Sean, The Kelvin temp of the Plasma is the same as the sun, so 6000k odd, I suspect the 24watt T5 are purely to get the blue spectrum of colour up, 6000k is really not gonna look to pretty all by its self.
@ Leigh, are ALL plasma 6000k? if so all the units would have to have to have supplementary T5 to get the nice Blue shimmer going in our tanks?!?!
Last edited by a moderator:
24W times 8 tubes at (whats their price about R100?)
R1600 per year,
oops another calculation error, 8 * T5 *2 times a year, priced from R200 to R300 is R3200 to R4800. Per month between 266 and 400.
@4W tubes on same calculation, is 133 per month.
So the saving on tube replacements work out to 133 to 266 per month.
Again the question, is the extra electrical cost more or less than 133 to 266 per month.
Yes, another flaw in my calculation, no price increase for inflation in place, no price increase in electrical cost.
R1600 per year,
oops another calculation error, 8 * T5 *2 times a year, priced from R200 to R300 is R3200 to R4800. Per month between 266 and 400.
@4W tubes on same calculation, is 133 per month.
So the saving on tube replacements work out to 133 to 266 per month.
Again the question, is the extra electrical cost more or less than 133 to 266 per month.
Yes, another flaw in my calculation, no price increase for inflation in place, no price increase in electrical cost.
What cost are you using for calculation? 85cents per kilowatt?
No Doubt in my mind that the current combo light that we see in the market with say 2 or 4 T5 globes (be it 54watt or 39 watt or 24watt) with 2 x 250watt metal halides (or 2 x 150watt) will be ALLOT Cheaper to run if the MH are replaced with Plasma lights! The saving is 2 fold, cost of Bulb replacement for MH and cost of electricity! Instead of having 2 x 250watt MH (total 500watt) you would only need 1 plasma light (only 237watt) so a 50% saving on running the plasma!
No Doubt in my mind that the current combo light that we see in the market with say 2 or 4 T5 globes (be it 54watt or 39 watt or 24watt) with 2 x 250watt metal halides (or 2 x 150watt) will be ALLOT Cheaper to run if the MH are replaced with Plasma lights! The saving is 2 fold, cost of Bulb replacement for MH and cost of electricity! Instead of having 2 x 250watt MH (total 500watt) you would only need 1 plasma light (only 237watt) so a 50% saving on running the plasma!
Thank you uncle Inflames....lol. Makes sense though. I obviously was thinking only about the aesthetics
not yet,
just that 2* plasma unit with 4*24W t5 each uses 220W more that 8*54W. Ok, things like staggered lightning period makes a difference.
but take 8 hours. * 220W extra * 30 days = 52.8Kw * 85c = R44.88
ok, so that is less than the 133 to 266 calculated above. So yes its a saving.
The variances being the price of electricity increase, and variance on T5 bulb cost.
I do believe on deep tanks, and MH setups, Plasma will be better. Just not yet convinced on shallow softie setups.
I personally think the plasma lighting is aimed at a replacement for MH, thats all, it needs to be supplememted by T5 for Asthetis reasons because of the Kelvin rating of the Plasma. Anyone out there that has a MH unit over 250watt will have a saving on the bulb replacement, electricity saving in a 250watt would be negligable. but guys running 2 or 3 250watt halides or even 2 or 3 400watt halides will save a small fortune on bulb replacement and Electricity over a 10 year period!
Hi Guys - If i remember correctly the plasma light could be contolled and I dont know if the development kit that Reef inmates includes such a contoller for the lighting cycle.
You could start your reef in the morning from 20% power and this will give a 20 000k spectrum and ramp it to 80-100% for a few hours and then back to 20 % for the evening . We must remember that reefs dont receive the constant light that we provide for our tank - I think most areas will only receive about 3-4 hours of strong sunlight and then wane. It would be nice for leigh to give us a detailed rundown of the experiment they are doing with the coral growth rates and maybe some before and After photo's.
You could start your reef in the morning from 20% power and this will give a 20 000k spectrum and ramp it to 80-100% for a few hours and then back to 20 % for the evening . We must remember that reefs dont receive the constant light that we provide for our tank - I think most areas will only receive about 3-4 hours of strong sunlight and then wane. It would be nice for leigh to give us a detailed rundown of the experiment they are doing with the coral growth rates and maybe some before and After photo's.
I think you are right Durleo with the lamps ability to be dimmed
Guys there seems to be a huge amount of interest generated with the posting of this thread. The speculation of what they can and cant do is also quite astounding.Please remember these two lights that we have brought in at a great cost are development kits. We are in the dark here. The development will take place with a before and after trial over a period six months before any conclusion can be made.
The trial will take place on my seven year old reef tank which currently runs on 3 x 400 watt M/H and 4 x 80w T5's. At the moment Iam waiting for the second plasma to be completed and yes they are both dimmable with a Kelvin range of between 5.000k (sunlight ) to 22,000k for deeper effects @ 238w at its maximum power.
Updates will be posted and electricity usage, growth rates etc.will also be strictly monitored. The tank as you will shortly see (picture) comprises of mostly hard SPS corals and a few very old leathers and gorgonia.
George
The trial will take place on my seven year old reef tank which currently runs on 3 x 400 watt M/H and 4 x 80w T5's. At the moment Iam waiting for the second plasma to be completed and yes they are both dimmable with a Kelvin range of between 5.000k (sunlight ) to 22,000k for deeper effects @ 238w at its maximum power.
Updates will be posted and electricity usage, growth rates etc.will also be strictly monitored. The tank as you will shortly see (picture) comprises of mostly hard SPS corals and a few very old leathers and gorgonia.
George
Once the lights are up and running all are welcome to view and for those who want to see before they are up they are also welcome to come anytime
George
George i how i speak for everyone and say i would live to see a picture of your tank.
Hi any prices yet?on this lights