Anyone with used MH bulbs?

[zeroinverse]

I am thinking of doing some testing with MH and I'm thinking about 175W MH moguls.

1) Anyone have used bulbs I can use?

2) Any problems with using old bulbs if I really just want decent PAR for a shallow frag tank? It'd be like 12" from the water surface and corals only in maximum of 7-inch of water.


3a) Can I use a 250W/400W bulb with a 175W ballast?
3b) Can I overdrive a 150W with a 175W ballast?

Thoughts on all of this?

 

[Reef Bass]

I'd be wary of "too used" (old) bulbs. Once the spectrum output shifts, I don't think they're worth using. My experience is that too old bulbs are better at stimulating algae than coral growth and color.

 

[crispyreef]

3a) The bulb may not fire up and if it does might "flicker", I tried it and turned it right off
3b) Not sure but it would surely shorten the life of bulb
I do have a dual PFO 175w magnetic ballast with pendants if interested. I also have a couple bulbs but not sure how old they are. I can check tonight and get back to you.

 

[GrizFyrFyter]

I have a 14000k 250w DE MH bulb I'm not using. It came with a tank I use for FW and I put a 6500k bulb in the fixture. Bulb is free if you are ever in Sac.

 

[zeroinverse]

Crispyreef, thanks for thoughts. I got a set of 175W ballast and reflectors recently. So thinking of experimenting with used bulbs simply because it is a frag tank. Not sure if used is adequate since it is so much shallower than the standar use for MH in tanks (ie 24" water column vs 7" water column.)

Griz: will see if I ever get out to your area again. Thanks.

 

[northbay-reefer]

I might have some let me check

 

[zeroinverse]

Bump. If anyone reads this before the meeting and if you have spare old bulbs, I just want to test the equipment I bought and maybe do some initially acclimation of corals with older bulbs...

It is a 175 watt ballast single ended mogul base. Higher wattage bulbs would be ok too, just to test, no?

Thanks!

 

[woodnaquanut]

I might have a couple. Let me look. Might be in storage unit???

If I can find them, they are yours!

 

[johnike]

I have a new Hamilton 6500K 175W or 2 if you'd be interested.