Hi all... I am about to purchase the proper lighting for my tank and dump a ton of $$$...but I am very confused???? I have a 60g and dont know the difference between "pulse start" or "probe start" and also "magnetic ballast" or "electric ballast"???? what is the proven combo for just lighting that I have to get???( i don't know what these things mean)?? I am looking to drop 900.00 and any help would be highly appreciated!!! TY ....Sally
M/h ??????
- Thread starter Pooks
- Start date
You just need to wait a bit longer.
The difference between pulse and probe start can be looked up for details, but they refer to the method of getting the bulb to start up. Pulse start just uses a special starting voltage, I think, and the probe start bulbs actually have a physical probe that's powered to start the arc. I think all of the single-ended aquarium bulbs are probe start, but it's not much of an issue.
Do you want to mount the lights in a canopy, or do you want to suspend pendants over the tank? Then, you'd need to choose between single-ended and double-ended, which isn't much of an issue, in reality. There are good bulbs of both types.
The difference between pulse and probe start can be looked up for details, but they refer to the method of getting the bulb to start up. Pulse start just uses a special starting voltage, I think, and the probe start bulbs actually have a physical probe that's powered to start the arc. I think all of the single-ended aquarium bulbs are probe start, but it's not much of an issue.
Do you want to mount the lights in a canopy, or do you want to suspend pendants over the tank? Then, you'd need to choose between single-ended and double-ended, which isn't much of an issue, in reality. There are good bulbs of both types.
Yes, definitely. 
I have had lots of regrets over lights. 
I went high-end with my second and third MH setups. I like the Lumen Max 2 pendant. It might not fit into your canopy, though. That is likely true of many of the DE setups. The Lumenarc Mini is another good choice, from the data I've seen
I'd look at the PFO parallel reflectors and probably an IceCap electronic ballast. That ballast seems to work pretty well with a large number of bulbs, so you'll have some flexibility.
If you go with 250 W bulbs, that'll give you the most flexibility for a high-light tank. High efficiency 175 W bulbs would work as well, but there are only 2-3 or so in that category, I think.
Not to throw a wrench in the works, but T5 might be more energy-efficient for that size of tank, and perhaps cost less. I don't like the looks, but it's an option you could consider.
I have had lots of regrets over lights. I went high-end with my second and third MH setups. I like the Lumen Max 2 pendant. It might not fit into your canopy, though. That is likely true of many of the DE setups. The Lumenarc Mini is another good choice, from the data I've seen
I'd look at the PFO parallel reflectors and probably an IceCap electronic ballast. That ballast seems to work pretty well with a large number of bulbs, so you'll have some flexibility.
If you go with 250 W bulbs, that'll give you the most flexibility for a high-light tank. High efficiency 175 W bulbs would work as well, but there are only 2-3 or so in that category, I think.
Not to throw a wrench in the works, but T5 might be more energy-efficient for that size of tank, and perhaps cost less. I don't like the looks, but it's an option you could consider.
t5Nitro
New member
I would go with 250 watt DE 14k or 20k bulbs alone or for even better color add 2 VHO super actinic. That or 400w 20k halides which are good alone or for better colors yet put on the vho super actinics also.
Either or, 250w and 400w is probably the best to go. 14k or 20k bulb I would suggest. 14k and 20k bulbs burn a little more toward the blue side whereas 10k bulbs burn more white which might need actinic supplementing anyway. Good luck and have fun!
I think magnetic ballasts push HQI bulbs to a more of their max while electronic would burn HQI bulbs more blue, using less electricity and costing less.
Either or, 250w and 400w is probably the best to go. 14k or 20k bulb I would suggest. 14k and 20k bulbs burn a little more toward the blue side whereas 10k bulbs burn more white which might need actinic supplementing anyway. Good luck and have fun!
I think magnetic ballasts push HQI bulbs to a more of their max while electronic would burn HQI bulbs more blue, using less electricity and costing less.
That number refers to the correlated color temperature of the bulb:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_temperature
It's a very crude estimate of how the bulb might look. Higher color temperatures tend to be more blue. 6,500 K tends to be white to yellowish.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_temperature
It's a very crude estimate of how the bulb might look. Higher color temperatures tend to be more blue. 6,500 K tends to be white to yellowish.
drummereef
Team RC
Loads of information on metal halide lighting here -
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=624185
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=624185
mhhauser321
New member
drummereef
Team RC
Great link! :thumbsup:
bertoni and drummer are right i would also check out t5 by www.sunlightsupply.com i did and im glad i did
