Where to Buy MHs?

[firecrackerbob]

Hey guys,
looking for some reccomendations on wher to buy a 250W MH retrofit? Found a couple of places on the web, but thought I would ask the group....
Also, If anyone has a used setup they want to sell, lese let me know!
Thanks,
Eric

 

[blissbsm]

Eric, I just bought 2 400w MH with 2- 14 k bulbs shipped for under $200.00 on ebay. They are not new they are reconditioned. I couldn't pass up the deal. Even if they only last me for a year I think its still a good deal.

 

[firecrackerbob]

wow that is a sweet deal... I was thinking Ebay myself, but havent found a deal like that yet..thanks!

 

[kaptken]

I bought an electronic 150w HQI retro from this place last month. Can't wait to put it on a new tank when i get it set up. they have 250w too. both electronic and magnetic, single and double end lamp kits with reflectors.
http://www.hellolights.com/hidretrofitkit.html

 

[cdangel0]

Check the classifieds forum on RC - I've seen a couple MH set-ups in the last couple days. Trying to get one of them now myself.

Craig

 

[Greg 45]

Why not purchase from Reef Exotics they sre one of our sponsors.

 

[firecrackerbob]

Thanks guys!
im thinking either hellolights or aquacave... both seem to have OK prices, aquacave also has a VHO retro kit for $60 that i might pick up as well....

 

[RBTA]

reefgeek.com is a great place, thats where I got mine. They have resonable prices. Not sure on retrofits as I bought pendants.

 

[kaptken]

I have used these VHO kits, and they are great.

http://www.hellolights.com/2laaroasbaki.html

 

[firecrackerbob]

hmm thats the one I was going to buy from aqua cave, but that price is better... cool. seems like a great little kit for the price...
thanks Ken

 

[alemab3]

Eric,
I have a brand new retro that has never been used. 3 175 watt MH with reflectors. asking $350.00

 

[kaptken]

You're Welcome Eric. I believe the ARO brand ballasts are hellolights house brand they have made to their specs to sell and as you found they have some distributors and resellers too. good ballasts. i used to use fulham workhorse 7 ballasts for inexpensive VHO DIY. but the ARO ballast is half the size, same power and runs the lamps cooler than the fulhams did. better color on the actinics too IMO. and the kit has everything you need except a 4 dollar HD switch and of course the bulbs. since i swapped out two of these kits for the old fulhams my tank is running much cooler.

 

[firecrackerbob]

Thanks Ken,

Would you happen to know if this will work the same??

http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/product/productInfo.web?picGroupKey=10939

all I can find is that it will run T12s, I wasnt sure if it will do VHO or if its just NO..... figured I could use my 30% off coupon for this one if it will do the same as the ARO..

Thanks

 

[firecrackerbob]

Thanks Ken,

Would you happen to know if this will work the same??

http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/product/productInfo.web?picGroupKey=10939

all I can find is that it will run T12s, I wasnt sure if it will do VHO or if its just NO..... figured I could use my 30% off coupon for this one if it will do the same as the ARO..

Thanks

 

[kaptken]

No Eric, that ezballast kit is only for 40 watt normal output bulbs. it's not VHO. also you wouldn't want to use those push on soft rubber end caps for VHO. a little wiggle and zap! you get an arc on the bulb electrodes. either weld it in place or start a fire. I tried those caps before on 32 watt T8's . for the record to run a 48 inch T12 lamp at these outputs requires a ballast that delivers:

normal output lamp 40 watts at 0.430 amps
high output 60 watts at 0.800 amps
VHO output 110 watts at 1.500 amps

per bulb, or something like that.

it's simply put, to get more light out of a lamp requires more watts and amps to drive it harder and hotter.

the ARO ballast drives 2 48 inch VHO bulbs at 110 watts and 1.5 amps each.

 

[firecrackerbob]

Yeah, I kinda figured that wouldnt work, thought id check tho with that 30% off and all--was having a hard time getting a definite answer of the web... thanks ken!
im gonna go ahead and order up that kit off of hello lights this weekend. Im actually thinkin about holding off on the MHs for right now and just go with the VHO... this is for a propagation setup im working on and im thinking right now that the VHOs are the cheapest way to get it started... thanks
Eric

 

[kaptken]

Welcome eric. I have 4 VHO ,two of those kits, on my 75. since i've been getting my water parameters and bio filter cleaned up and tuned up, I'm getting great SPS growth and color. 2 50/50's and 2 act03's. thats it. it takes all 3, light, water chemistry and a good biofilter to keep nutrients low as possible.

 

[firecrackerbob]

that it does... hopefully I wont see any problems with setting up this propagation system. I am hoping all the lessons I have learned from my display tank will transfer over... speaking of which, it seems like my algea war is slowly working. hair and culerpa growth is slowing rapidly and it seems like the clean up crew is going to work. still a long way to go, but I havent had to do any major hand pruning since I retuned from vacation.... time will tell tho...