Japanese SpotLight Penetration

[invincible569]

I was reviewing the webpage Vince provided on the spotlight lighting. They have a great graph showing you the type of bulb you need for the type of coral you want to keep. This is what i have been talking about all along and the reason why they have so many spotlights over there tank. Usually a Japanese tank is filled with corals and most of them are wild and big. Im pretty sure the seller (LFS) tells them where they picked up this coral from or the reef keeper went diving for it so they can copy the exact same environment where the coral came from. This graph shows the type of bulb model/Kelvin vs the depth (Meters) and at how many degrees you should expect the output of the spotlight especially if you are aiming at a single coral or a small area (20 degrees). Usually people who dont understand why the Japanese put so many lights over there tank think they are only doing it to make the tank look colorful by just shining different colors. But that is not the case and in reality they know what they are doing and for a damn good reason. Hopefully this clears up a lot of assumptions about Japanese marine lighting.



I translated all Japanese to English in RED.

[invincible569]

Light Distribution Data:
These show the width (degree) the bulbs spread in at how many Meters (1-4) for your aquarium. At 150w.

lx= Lumen Output





For a 20w "Narrow" Type

[invincible569]

You can minimize the spread (or leak) with this option:

[invincible569]

In this picture, they are showing that a dichroic mirror is unnecessary behind the bulb. Why? because the heat is transmitted (80%) towards the back and not into the tank. Instead it goes towards the "water bridge" which is the stand that clips the light.

[Orion76]

That is some very cool gear.

I think I've seen this type of bulb in a funky looking blue pendant on marine depot but now I can't find them anymore.

[Orion76]

found it:

http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_....asp?ast=&key=

[invincible569]

Orion,

I have looked at this pendant, but it looks to be too bulky. The idea of having a spotlight to point (at an angle) to a special coral is not available. Im glad the bulb is here, but the pendant is still similiar to anything else that shoots from top to bottom. Only if IceCap could make the spotlight "angled" pendant. The rest would be history.

[Orion76]

Maybe some clever DIY-er can take the socket, bulb and ballast and fit it into a small stage light

[invincible569]

Maybe some clever DIY-er can take the socket, bulb and ballast and fit it into a small stage light

Why didnt I think of that? Good idea! Hmmm... My friend has his own professional club lights that are also MH with spotlights. All i need to do is get the bulb.

[bluereef]

Thank you Edvard,cool information.

[invincible569]

You're welcome!

By the way, i found that most of the Japanese lights resemble club lighting. Here is one that I found which has the "barndoors". Im sure you can rig it up if wanted just so you can use the pendant.




It match's this:

[Orion76]

Shouldn't be difficult at all if you're handy

[Orion76]

Check this out, metal halide spots with optional barn doors:

http://www.energielighting.com/spot_mhalide.htm

(view the spec sheet)

[invincible569]

I emailed the Japanese vendor and here is his response to selling overseas:

Dear Mr. Edward
31 May 2005

Thank you very much for your inquiry about our Supercool products.

Unfortunately, our Supercool products are usable only in Japan. Our HID lamps require our electric ballast. Because of the difference of ignition voltage, using conventional ballast causes of breakage of lamps or serious troubles. It is too dangerous to use conventional electric or magnetic ballast available in your country. Using our whole set of Supercool system and transformer is not recommended. (Also, your cost is quite high.)

For these reasons, we are not selling our products to overseas market.

We are deeply sorry that we cannot supply you our products to you at this moment.

We are hoping you accept our appology...

With best regards,
Eisaku Omura
Lamp Network Co., Ltd.

[nyfireman3097]

how many watts are those things ?
Nick