Has anyone used this light on their nano?

[Mr Sh0tgun]

https://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_lighting_metal_halide_jbj_k2_viper_hqi_clamp.asp?CartId=

I'm thinking about buying it, but i wanted to know what others think about it.

 

[Joshua Tree]

For that price you can almost get a whole 24 gallon Aqua Pod set-up with the 150watt MH light included.

 

[reef211]

I have that on my JBJ 24 gal nano, Here is a picture of it. And i like it a lot.

<img src="http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b86/mikeaphan/nano%20tank/IMG_0462.jpg">

 

[Mr Sh0tgun]

looks nice. what corals do you have in there? also, it says in your current tanks it has a 20k bulb. what brand did you change it to?

 

[drjuice28]

I've heard VERY mixed reports on that light. If you look back to threads in mid december and january, I was asking the exact same questions about it. What I eventually concluded is that while it is a nice compact package, the price doesn't match up with the quality or function. A lot of people complained about their bulbs burning out within a week, and having to just go out and drop another 50$ on a decent bulb instead. If you're really set on an open top, go with a sunpod or a pendant fixture. If you want to keep a hood, retrofit your own 70W or 150W system into it for 1/2 the cost!

 

[Mr Sh0tgun]

I already have the 64w PC hood. I don't want to buy a sunpod because when I get out of college I'm gonna want a bigger tank, and I wanted a fixture I could put toward that. What is a good pendant that won't totally break the bank?

 

[reef211]

I'm using a 14k phoenix bulb.

 

[drjuice28]

I'd totally just do it yourself if you want to really save some cash. Look to nanotuners.com or illuming.com for a couple of nice 150W MH retrofit kits. There are lots of other places to look for them too. Then look for a nice reflector and/or casing on the many lighting sites out there, or even ebay. If you've got a MH kit with ballast preinstalled, you'll be able to build the whole thing in an hour for at least 100$ less than the conventional preassembled pendant systems of the same wattage.
Don't be nervous about taking on a do it yourself project either. I know that a lot of us are inexperienced with a lot of these projects, and it keeps us from giving them a shot. But it's really not all that difficult, and there are thousands of people here that would be happy to walk you through it!

 

[Mr Sh0tgun]

I was thinking about retrofitting, but I know later I'm gonna want a bigger tank. So I want to buy something I can put on the 24 for now, but I'll be able to put it on a bigger tank later. I think heat will really be an issue if i put a MH in the hood, also.

 

[drjuice28]

With MH systems, you sort of make a commitment to a certain wattage, since the ballast and bulb are "locked in". If you go to a larger system in the future, you'll need to either scrap what you've got and buy higher wattage, or just buy an identical unit and have exactly double the watts running off of 2 separate ballasts. Either way, feel free to buy what fits you best at this point in time, and worry about the rest down the line.

I hear you about the extra heat, can really be an issue with hoods very low on the water. Takes a lot of air circulation to solve the problem.

Google halide pendant to start getting a feel for the different units out there. People on the forum can tell you whether any of the units that you find attractive are well priced, well put together, etc.

 

[Mr Sh0tgun]

I know I'm gonna have to buy another pendant when I get a bigger tank, but that won't be for another 5-6 years. I've really been looking around for good pendants, there are a few that look pretty good, but I'm just workin on savin the money to buy one.

 

[Crackerballer]

Buy used. I got a 250w MH Hqi ballast, pendent, and bulb for 210 shipped off here. I almost got a viper, but i'd rather spend $50 and get more watts and a better all around light.

 

[ReefTeacher]

I bought the 70W version for my 10 gal last September from Marine Depot. Sure enough the light blew up within a week. And it did not just burn out...I came home and there were shards of glass in the fixture. Luckily the fixture kept the glass out of the tank. I called up Marine Depot and they replaced the bulb immediately and it has been working perfectly ever since. Personally I love the design of the fixture and the fact that it leaves so much of the tank open for top viewing. It is not for everyone, but I like it on my tank. It also speaks to Marine Depot's excellent customer service that they did not push me off to the manufacturer...they have my business for years to come!!!!

ReefTeacher

 

[BeachBum843]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9427992#post9427992 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by drjuice28
I've heard VERY mixed reports on that light. If you look back to threads in mid december and january, I was asking the exact same questions about it. What I eventually concluded is that while it is a nice compact package, the price doesn't match up with the quality or function. A lot of people complained about their bulbs burning out within a week, and having to just go out and drop another 50$ on a decent bulb instead.

The burnout problem has been corrected, along with better bulb brackets and a few other customer concerns in the new K2 viper II lights. JBJ apparently addressed those concerns as soon as they could.

I like mine. I have two of the 150 watt models on a 29 gallon SPS tank. The best part about these lamps is how adjustable they are and how little footprint above the tank they take up. It's very easy to adjust the fixtures when acclimating new corals or for temperature regulation.