suggestions for MH bulb spectrums

[IBroughtPopcorn]

I picked up a used 72" T5 HO & Metal Halide fixture for my 210g i am piecing together. It uses 4 T5 and 3 MH. The bulbs are said to be less than 3 months old. However one of the 3 ballasts is bad.

My question is what spectrum combinations do would be good to run for a mixed reef?

Also does anyone have an ballast for sale?

Or should I sell it for the $175 I have in it and find something else?

 

[kegogut]

Is it DE ? I use Phoenix 14k bulbs.

 

[Mr D smack]

I would suggest to purchase new bulbs from the get. Keep the old ones just incase. You will need to know if they are 150 watt or 250 watt. As well as needing to know if they are DE= double ended or SE= Screw in. If they are DE as kego suggested the Phoenix 14k is a great bulb, but hard to find. If Se the Radium 250 watt 20k is ideal.

The ballast I would look for a M80

As for selling your newly purchased fixture, good luck at getting that out of it. Not to be a Debbie downer, but Halides don’t sell worth a crap since everybody seems to push LEDs

The T5s will be your biggest issues as to what color you like. Having 4 bulbs you will be able to change the color with one bulb. I had a fixture close to what you have and ran 150watt DE 14k phoenix with 2 ATI blue plus, 1 purple plus, and 1 blue special

 

[kegogut]

Im thinking you have the same fixture as me. If thats the case he's running 250w DE

 

[Scubareefman]

I ran a M80 with a 20k radium single end bulb with a mid grade reflector. I thought it was so-so, but lots of reefers love that combo.

 

[IBroughtPopcorn]

The fixture does use DE MH lamps. I guess it was not as good of a purchase as I thought. Oh well, i will use it for a while until I can get the LED system I want. I hate to hear I made a bad purchase though. It turns out to have two bad ballasts. I was in a hurry and the kid I got them from seemed cool. My fault. Now I just need to figure out the best way to go. Buy two ballasts and new bulbs or just buy Chinese LEDs. I found two 300watt full spectrum lights for $335.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2PCS-300W-M...f-Coral-SPS-/371049677102?hash=item566448c12e

 

[IBroughtPopcorn]

Im thinking you have the same fixture as me. If thats the case he's running 250w DE

I would suggest to purchase new bulbs from the get. Keep the old ones just incase. You will need to know if they are 150 watt or 250 watt. As well as needing to know if they are DE= double ended or SE= Screw in. If they are DE as kego suggested the Phoenix 14k is a great bulb, but hard to find. If Se the Radium 250 watt 20k is ideal.

The ballast I would look for a M80

As for selling your newly purchased fixture, good luck at getting that out of it. Not to be a Debbie downer, but Halides don't sell worth a crap since everybody seems to push LEDs

thanks guys for you help. so did I make a mistake by buying the fixture?
Also I found a g4 skimmer with s5000 pump for $150. Should I buy it?


The T5s will be your biggest issues as to what color you like. Having 4 bulbs you will be able to change the color with one bulb. I had a fixture close to what you have and ran 150watt DE 14k phoenix with 2 ATI blue plus, 1 purple plus, and 1 blue special

I ran a M80 with a 20k radium single end bulb with a mid grade reflector. I thought it was so-so, but lots of reefers love that combo.

 

[IBroughtPopcorn]

I found a gently used g4 Skimmer with a s5000 pump for $150.
Or a reef octopus that is made for 150 gallon tank for $100.

I have read to go bigger than needed but I have been told that I should go smaller.

What is you opinions?
Which one should I buy?

 

[IBroughtPopcorn]

Thank you guys

 

[IBroughtPopcorn]

I would suggest to purchase new bulbs from the get. Keep the old ones just incase. You will need to know if they are 150 watt or 250 watt. As well as needing to know if they are DE= double ended or SE= Screw in. If they are DE as kego suggested the Phoenix 14k is a great bulb, but hard to find. If Se the Radium 250 watt 20k is ideal.

The ballast I would look for a M80

As for selling your newly purchased fixture, good luck at getting that out of it. Not to be a Debbie downer, but Halides don't sell worth a crap since everybody seems to push LEDs

The T5s will be your biggest issues as to what color you like. Having 4 bulbs you will be able to change the color with one bulb. I had a fixture close to what you have and ran 150watt DE 14k phoenix with 2 ATI blue plus, 1 purple plus, and 1 blue special

they are 250watt DE with 2 ATI blue plus and 2 Purple plus

 

[JaimeAdams]

Reef octopus make nice skimmers, but the G4 in my opinion will handle a larger bioload. I don't know who told you to go smaller, but that is certainly not what most people would suggest.

As far as what bulbs you should get it is a matter of preference. Anything between 10K - 20K will be fine. I like the blue of 20K, but that is personal.

 

[IBroughtPopcorn]

Reef octopus make nice skimmers, but the G4 in my opinion will handle a larger bioload. I don't know who told you to go smaller, but that is certainly not what most people would suggest.

Thank you. A friend said he saw it on BRS that you can over skim a tank. I will get the G4. When buying used equipment, will I be good as long as I clean everything thoroughly?

 

[Mr D smack]

No one has yet to say the light fixture is a bad purchase. I know kego runs MH as well as I do. Lights are a very debatable issue. IMO its whatever you like go with it as long as it does what you want. If it was my tank I say start with the fixture you have, its not a bad fixture at all. Get some new bulbs and working ballast.

I used the G4+ skimmer on a 225. It’s simple and worked great for what I had. ASM has been around a long time. If you wanted to "upgrade it" step up to the s9000 pump

 

[IBroughtPopcorn]

No one has yet to say the light fixture is a bad purchase. I know kego runs MH as well as I do. Lights are a very debatable issue. IMO its whatever you like go with it as long as it does what you want. If it was my tank I say start with the fixture you have, its not a bad fixture at all. Get some new bulbs and working ballast.

I used the G4+ skimmer on a 225. It's simple and worked great for what I had. ASM has been around a long time. If you wanted to "upgrade it" step up to the s9000 pump

Thanks D Smack. You, Nanook, Keg, Lance, and a few others are always helping me out. I hope one day I can repay you guys.

 

[kegogut]

Ive had to replace one of my MH ballasts so far. I run the phoenix 14k bulbs and actinic bulbs.

Where are you located? You're welcome to come see the color of the bulbs on Monday when everyone else comes by for the coral shipment we have coming.

 

[IBroughtPopcorn]

I live in South County by St Anthony's hospital. When are you havingg people over Monday?

 

[kegogut]

I live in South County by St Anthony's hospital. When are you havingg people over Monday?

Yes,Monday evening people are coming over to divy up the coral shipment we ordered, 8pm.

My # is 314-776-7444 Just text me for my address.

 

[Pife]

Let me know what ballast you have and I might be able to hook you up with what you need.

 

[Mr D smack]

Let me know what ballast you have and I might be able to hook you up with what you need.

 

[IBroughtPopcorn]

Let me know what ballast you have and I might be able to hook you up with what you need.

I need to buy two new ballasts. I was looking researching last night and found many people using M56? Ballasts to run their lights. It is certainly a lot more cost effective to do so, but that doesn't make it the best idea. I found them on 1000bulbs from $35-$65 dollars. That doesn't include a housing or fan, just the transformer, cap, and starter.

I looked for the recommended M80 ballasts and they are certainly more costly. I will do more research before I buy anything, unless I find a great deal on M80 ballasts. I now need two 250watt ballasts.