Halide Q & A

If the paint peels on an older fixture wher the halides mount is it ok to paint it with regular gloss spray paint or should it be high heat? The fixture is 3 se 250w halides and its painted white. Thanks for any help/suggestions.

It has a fan on one end and a plexiglass shield. I know the bulbs get hot just not sure how hot the fixture itself gets. The regular paint says its good for 200 degrees farenheit.
 
DE Double Ended SE Single Ended (Mogul Base) The U on the markings for your lamp indicate that it is a universal mount meaning it can be mounted horizontally or vertically. If you have any other questions abouit MH lighting I would be glad to answer them
 
How's it going, posting here first trying to save a thread. I'm adding a new tank to my setup a 48x20x12 I have two 400w mh laying around I thought I would use on this. It's two DE Hamilton fixture, how high would you suggest? I'm thinking one fixture about 18 inches off the surface with some smart placement sps in the middle, z/p chalices and acans on the sides. Any opinions would greatly be appreciated.
 
RainbowReefer said:
How's it going, posting here first trying to save a thread. I'm adding a new tank to my setup a 48x20x12 I have two 400w mh laying around I thought I would use on this. It's two DE Hamilton fixture, how high would you suggest? I'm thinking one fixture about 18 inches off the surface with some smart placement sps in the middle, z/p chalices and acans on the sides. Any opinions would greatly be appreciated.
Click to expand...

Might be a little too much for a shallow tank, even at 18". The heat alone would be a problem unless you have a chiller. People are selling ballasts all the time. Some are barely used at all. If you keep a look out, you'll find some 250's for sure...and cheap.
 
If you were going to use the 400 watt, I'd do as you suggested and go 18"+ above the tank, as well as use lower par bulbs like XM 20k....or any 20k bulb that is not the radium.

If you're up that high over the water heat may not be an issue
 
Bpb said:
If you were going to use the 400 watt, I'd do as you suggested and go 18"+ above the tank, as well as use lower par bulbs like XM 20k....or any 20k bulb that is not the radium.

If you're up that high over the water heat may not be an issue
Click to expand...

What do you think about 2 400-watt 10000k over a 4x2x2 tank? with the bulbs approx. 10" above the water and all coral in the 12" to 18" below water range?

Right now, my tank stays at 77-78 degrees with 2x 250-watt 20000k right now.
 
kevin_e said:
Thanks. Where do I go from there?
Click to expand...

Actually I just saw that melevs reef has a very good MH comparison too with the par readings all over the tank. Definitely check that out. So google "measuring light intensity with a meter melevs reef" and it will pop up.

Also try "sanjay metal halide par readings" and go to images
 
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I want to use 2 250w radiam bulbs on my 48L X 24W X 16D tank. Planning on mixed reef with a lot of sps. Is that too much or sufficient lighting? What ballast(s) reflectors would you use? I know the M80 is recommended but these days are almost impossible to find. I know of the LuXcore ballasts, but would you run the 250 or 400 model?
 
The Luxcore is a perfect ballast to run the Radium off of with the choices currently available on the market. Personally, I would go with the 400w version since you'd be able to run 250 and 400 both off of it. The 2 x 250's will work very well on your size tank. I'm actually using 2 x 400w Radiums on my Deep Blue 80g rimless (48 x 24 x 16) but it's all sps - no softs or LPS. HTH!

BTW, here is a little write-up I did on the Radium lamps if you want more info on them:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2405972
 
rygar said:
Actually I just saw that melevs reef has a very good MH comparison too with the par readings all over the tank. Definitely check that out. So google "measuring light intensity with a meter melevs reef" and it will pop up.

Also try "sanjay metal halide par readings" and go to images
Click to expand...

I couldn't really find anything. Is there not an article like the Advanced Aquatics 250 watt comparison?
 
I'm looking at 2 Sfiligoi XR6s for a retirement tank. The tank will be 96x36x30 deep. I am pretty sure I would need two more to completely light the tank but was wondering if 250W MHs would be enough? These are DE mounts so could I swap out the ballasts for 400W ballasts or would I also need to change the bulb mount?

My other worry: These have never been used but have been sitting for 7 yrs--have icecap ballasts. It will be another 5-7yrs before I put them to use. Is this sit time too long to expect them to run like new? Been stored/ and will be stored at room temps and dry.

I'm offering $400 each but am not sure I should buy now given the wait time I have left. I do know these may be near impossible to come by 5-7yrs from now but I would want to collect probably 2 more to complete my lighting.

I like my kessils and the ATI T5 I had but I think I should have stayed w/ my gut and went MH from the beginning.

Tank will be SPS/LPS mixed w/ possibly a few softies.
 
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250 watt double ended and 400 watt double ended use the same lamp sockets but are spaced differently. The 400 watt lamp having a longer length.
 
Not sure what to run. Previously, I used Reeflux 400 watt 12K halides with 03 actinic VHO's. Awesome color. But I keep hearing how great Radium 20K bulbs are. I like a crisp clean light. Not blue.
Using Luxcore ballasts.
Anyone here seen both in person?
 
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