dimmable halide ballasts

[islanddave]

I have a 250 dd tank that I will.be setting up.and I think it will.cost.me.a.fortune to light it with led. I would like to go the halide route but would.also like sun rise and sun set and dimming abilities when acclimitizing. ......do dimmable halide ballasts work well........is there any trade of in terms of bulb longevity?


Thanks
Dave

 

[shifty51008]

The dimmable ballast dont work like your thinking, they work by you can change the bulb to a diff wattage without buying a new ballast, you cant change the intensity throughout the day.

If you want the sunrise sunset, your best option is to get some atinic bulbs, either t5ho or vho and have them come on an hour before the mh and off an hour after the mh

 

[islanddave]

Oops ok thanks!

 

[ericarenee]

I have
3= 250 w 2000k mh bulbs over my Tank..
4= 59 w t5 bulbs
Low power blue led lights..

Each has there own timer....

At night the leds run
at 930 am two of the t5 bulbs come on
at 10 two more of the t5 comes on.
at 10 30 the left m/h
at 11 the center m/h at 11.30 the 3rd m/h

At 8 pm they start reversing......

So you can do it but its a bit different and takes timers or a Reef controller with available outlets.......

Good Luck

 

[moondoggy4]

If you go with a canopy you can save lots of money, nice fixtures cost a lots of money.