Halide Q & A

[bcwalz]

I have a 150 gal (72L X 18W X 27H) that I am thinking of converting to a reef tank. For lighting I was considering 3 250 watt 20k MH. Given the color range of a 20k bulb would I still want a couple VHO actnics as well? Does that seem like it would work well?

 

[matt604]

best mogal base 400 w bulb?

best mogal base 400 w bulb?

Whats the best mogal base 400 w mh bulb,or will all 14000k bulbs give me the same effect

 

[micdarj]

HID life span question - what should the average life span be for a 10k 150w G12 bulb be? I purchased an aqualife light unit 3/11/11 with 2 HIDs, 2 T5's, and 4 lunars and came home to one of the HID's being burned out - is this on par with life expectancy or not?

 

[srfnhooker]

Help with Used MH

Help with Used MH

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I am looking at the possibilty of buying 2 used 175w electronic ballasts and 2 slightly used 175w EYE Color Arc 15k bulbs for $100. These ballasts will not come with reflectors or moguls so I will have to purchase them from another source. It sounds as if the ballasts are a few yrs old. I have zero experience with MH so, A few questions.

1. Does this sound like a decent deal?
2. Will this be enough light for my 75gal DT (48"x18"x21") and what types of corals will I be able to keep under this lighting. (I really like the acans and zoas)
3. I know I will have to compliment with Actinic, any sugesstions?
4. Is there an avg. life span for ballasts? If so, can they be repaired/refurbished?
5. What recommendations for reflectors and moguls? (I am on a budget hence the reason I am looking at used equipment)

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

[castaway]

Setting up a 40 breeder, and i access to a 20' sunpod 150w. I was thinking of running 4 t5's as suppliment, and mounting the pod in the middle of my hood. Not interested in sps, so anyone see any major issues, if i go this route?

 

[Maine_fisher]

Need MH Advise

Need MH Advise

Hi All:

New on here. I have a 30 gallon glass cube tank (19 x 20 x 19) and recently purchased a 400 watt metal halide fixture for $20 from ebay. Since it didn't come with a transformer I need to purchase one. Need a recommendation for that, but I think I want to use a lower wattage. Recommendations please. I noticed Lumatek has a dimmable ballast, is this something I should consider? I want to keep fish, LPS, and a clam.

Thanks,
Rick

 

[_Mackus_]

Need advice on hanging height

Need advice on hanging height

Hey all,

I'm setting up a 125 gal tall with a light fixture that has two 250W MH's, 4 PCs, and some LED moonlights. How high above the tank should I suspend the lights to find a happy medium between light reaching the bottom of the tank (25" tall) and not heating the water too much?

I've read 8" is the standard but wanted to double check before I do anything semi-permanent.

Thanks

 

[nanoreef16g]

40 Breeder Lighting Combo

40 Breeder Lighting Combo

I'm setting up a 40 gallon breeder and using a Current Outer Orbit. It's a 36" two by 150 watt fixture with four T5's. Any recommendations to get a nice crisp bluish white light? Around a 14k. I like the look of a 14k Phoenix bulb but i know the T5's would affect the color if I just used a Phoenix.

 

[cas1069]

current 72" 150w mh

current 72" 150w mh

i have a current 72" 150w de fixture that has the ballast going out on it, i wanted to ask if anyone knows if i could upgrade the ballast to 250w and not have to change out the hqi scokets on it and not have it blow up on me?

 

[Jfannin]

Thought about upgrading to a 36x36x24 and trying out Mh instead of the T5s I use know on a 40g breeder. Tanks going to be mostly SPS. Wondering if a single 250w would be good. If so what would be the best reflector to do the job?
Figure on having most LR and corals near the center so the fish can swim all around the LR/coral island. But everyone knows how it is when placing rock.

A while back i was looking into a 48x24x24 for like forever and was going to do 2 250w for it with LB minis or the ATI 10 bulb unit. I ended up decideding to hold off for a while and recently I started thinking a cube might be more acceptable by the wife and just as appealing.
As far as aquascape goes. I'm kinda into the less is better group and I like the columns style look. I'll have alot of LR hidden in the sump area though.

Ugh idk might still consider the four foot tank instead. I have a good spot for ether.
Your thoughts ? Thanks

 

[sirreal63]

i have a current 72" 150w de fixture that has the ballast going out on it, i wanted to ask if anyone knows if i could upgrade the ballast to 250w and not have to change out the hqi scokets on it and not have it blow up on me?

The sockets on a 150 are different than a 250, not going to work without a major re-do of the fixture. Sorry.

 

[cas1069]

The sockets on a 150 are different than a 250, not going to work without a major re-do of the fixture. Sorry.

thanks for the help and never be sorry when your helping someone not start a house fire

 

[ironsnake]

Which MH kit?

Which MH kit?

Hi all, I have an Oceanic 120G that's 4Lx2Dx2H and I'm a newb when it comes to MH. I am planning to keep only softies and LPS. I would like to just use one light that spread through the center of the tank. This is the kit I have in mind so far:

- Ballast: IceCap 250W Electronic Ballast
- Bulb: Radium or Ushio 250W 20,000K
- Reflector: LumenArc III

Three questions:
1) Will 250W be enough for the corals?
2) Will the reflector spread by enough to cover a 3 feet area from the center of the tank? I guess this one also depends how high I need to hang it.
3) Radium or Ushio bulb?

Thank you very much!

 

[Jfannin]

Just want check before I do this. But on the LuXcore adjustable 250-400w ballast I want the wireing for the Reflector to the ballast to be no longer then 10 feet correct?

 

[Jfannin]

Well I did a quick wire up just to see if they fireed right up with all the wire and they did. So nm ill just wait and trim up the wire once all my stand and what not are built. Thx though

 

[gibbus123]

Will a 42" x 24" x 24" tank with SPS be adequately lighted by 1 250w MH or 1 400w MH?
Or is it wiser to go with 2 bulbs?

 

[Lofty]

I have a Sunlight Supply Maristar with 2x250 DE-HQI and 2x96 t5ho. I have new 20k actninc lamps for the t5s and the old MH lamps that came with the fixture need to be replaced before I start placing livestock. I am looking on Marine Depot and they have the 14k Phoenix Lamps for 41.99 (like $45 off from retail, but I am concerned that the 14k and the 20k mix will be too blue and hamper coral growth. I know that everyone I have ever talked to about the Phoenix Bulbs has nothing but good to say about them, and the price is great, so what are the thoughts? Does have body run a similar set up and have a FTS?

Thanks A lot

 

[sirreal63]

No accurate pics but the Phoenix is more of a 20k look than a 14k. They work well as a standalone bulb. It may be a little too blue but are your T5 actintic or 20K? There is a difference.

 

[Lofty]

Just Checked... they are actually actinic. I did order the Phoenix Bulbs after reading a lot about them... I hope they will be the look I am going for

 

[Lofty]

Oh and it looks like those ar 28 watts each, not 96 watts... Not sure where I got that...