Changing lights. Need you thoughts

[Schplitter]

I'm changing from:

2- 250W HQI MH
2- Lumenaric (sp) Minis
1- Blue Wave 7 Dual HQI Ballast

To:

4- JBJ K2 Viper 150W

Keeping:

VHO Super actinics

Is this a good move or a bad move?

Thank you,

BK

 

[Homereef]

You are too early for April fools.

JBJ makes horrible products.

Are you wanting more light coverage ?

 

[Schplitter]

I have 3 braces and 4 openings on this tank. The two light I have now are good but I want more coverage. The braces would not be in the way if I used 4 150W lights. I can't add another 250 because 3 lights would be blocked by the braces and that defeats the purpose...

BK

 

[frenchie]

i hate braces i have a 125 with 1 brace and the big usa current outer orbit with 3 150 watt HQI DE metal halides and 4 96 watt pc actinic bulbs and my center bulb is right over center brace. I'm trying to save up for nova xtreme pro 72" so i can sell this big fixture since my big tank is a softie tank anyway rather have 460 watts of t5's than 832 total watts of current fixture need to cut back on power bill.

my fixture cost 1000.00 new
nova xtreme 580.00 online new

 

[chadfarmer]

viper light isnt that much light I have one over my sump


it has broke the glass 2 times

 

[trottman]

viper puts out like no light. i would keep you 250's and use the vipers along with them where more light is needed.

 

[kellyjn]

IMO, I'd keep what you have, or I'd get 4-175W Iwasaki Aqua2 bulbs if you wanted to go with 4 bulbs.

 

[frenchie]

how long is your tank

 

[Schplitter]

72X18X17H

 

[Schplitter]

I'm gonna see if they let me borrow the lights for a day to see what it looks like. The tank is only 17" deep and the coral are at least 5" off the bottom...

 

[trottman]

you would need like 8 viper lights to cover 72 inches of reef

they are shat

 

[frenchie]

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+14706&pcatid=14706

 

[Schplitter]

That's nice but I don't have $1000.00 laying around. The other thing is that I don't need a complete fixture since I have a huge canopy...

 

[DrBDC]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12204146#post12204146 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kellyjn
IMO, I'd keep what you have, or I'd get 4-175W Iwasaki Aqua2 bulbs if you wanted to go with 4 bulbs.

:thumbsup: Go w/4 aro ballasts. If you want to spend more go with the icecaps.

 

[StupidsReef]

I'd take the advice your being given here, Viper is ultra cheap JUNK. There light's that's not even worth throwing in my trash can, because the trash man would just pull them out and leave them on my door step. Hell I don't think a junk yard would take a Viper light either. Your answer is: VERY BAD MOVE!!!!

 

[Schplitter]

That's why I asked before I made the move.

Thank you guys for all the info and for saving me from a VERY BAD MOVE.

BK

 

[StupidsReef]

That's what the club is all about man. Helping others.