WTB 36" Metal Halide! Suggestions??
- Thread starter J_Bones
- Start date
fatrip
Yup That Stuff
the cheapest and best IMO would be to make a hood and DIY one. more flexibility and better out come for less money.
but if you are set on buying one this is a decent one. http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+8075+12113&pcatid=12113
this is a nice one too, a bit better cause it runs t-5 which you have more control over actinic color as apposed to the power compacts.
http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+8075+20394&pcatid=20394
but if you are set on buying one this is a decent one. http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+8075+12113&pcatid=12113
this is a nice one too, a bit better cause it runs t-5 which you have more control over actinic color as apposed to the power compacts.
http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+8075+20394&pcatid=20394
fatrip
Yup That Stuff
does it need to look pretty? if not just get a reflector and a piece of 3/4 ply wood and hang it over the frag tank. if yo need actinics just get a retro fit t-5 kit that you can mount to the 3/4 ply wood. if it does need to look pretty than you just need to make a wooden box that fits ontop of the tank.
fatrip
Yup That Stuff
Best bet would be to sell that and get a retro fit 175mh. depending on funds i would get electronic ballast http://www.hellolights.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=64 $125.00 vs mag ballast, less efficient http://www.hellolights.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=65 $80.00. then depending on fund as well as if you are doing this frag tank to take pics out of and sell them, actinics would be a must have. http://www.hellolights.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1350 $100.00.
if you dont have the funds to go with the actinics get a higher K bulb like 14,000k if you are going with actinics go with a 12,000k or 10,000k, personally i like XM 10,000k. for the actinic t-5 bulbs, if you are doing zoa's and are taking in tank photos to sell on the net go with one true actinic, doesnt matter the brand and one Korallen-Zucht fiji purple. will make the zoas pop.
if you are just growing novicely and dont have the fund i would go with the MH and maybe one of these for picture times http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+10704+18485&pcatid=18485 460nm, makes the colors look like candy...
see almost edible
if you dont have the funds to go with the actinics get a higher K bulb like 14,000k if you are going with actinics go with a 12,000k or 10,000k, personally i like XM 10,000k. for the actinic t-5 bulbs, if you are doing zoa's and are taking in tank photos to sell on the net go with one true actinic, doesnt matter the brand and one Korallen-Zucht fiji purple. will make the zoas pop.
if you are just growing novicely and dont have the fund i would go with the MH and maybe one of these for picture times http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+10704+18485&pcatid=18485 460nm, makes the colors look like candy...
see almost edible
J_Bones
New member
I have my 150W over a 10 gallon right now but I just ordered a 30 Breeder from ABC & I wasn't sure if that would be enough light if I just turned it sideways. Maybe I'll try that for now. I replaced the stock bulb with a Phoenix 14K. Maybe I'll upgrade later if I get into different stuff. Having fun with the Zoo's for now. Thanks for the help guys!!
J_Bones
New member
I was thinking about going with a T5 fixture. Maybe the Current USA Nova Extreme Pro. It has 6 39W T5 bulbs. I can get this for under $300 shipped. Bulbs will last longer. I think this should be enough light for my Zoo's. Then maybe I can try some different bulb combos. What do you think?? Thanks!!
fatrip
Yup That Stuff
I have used T-5's on the last 2 tanks I've had and it has worked out well. some people like them and others dont.
you really cant beat the nova's, there reflectors are a bit inferior but you get fans and independent light functions. i found one here tho that has a timer built in for all three actinic, reg lighting and night LEDS http://premiumaquatics.com/store/me...t_Code=AL-420036&Category_Code=AquaticLife-T5 .
you really cant beat the nova's, there reflectors are a bit inferior but you get fans and independent light functions. i found one here tho that has a timer built in for all three actinic, reg lighting and night LEDS http://premiumaquatics.com/store/me...t_Code=AL-420036&Category_Code=AquaticLife-T5 .
Last edited:
fatrip
Yup That Stuff
would suggest going with a 4 bulb unless you are thinking of upgrading the tank size in the future. also cheaper for bulbs. would steer away form wave point due to no cooling fans. for bulbs i would go with 1 Korallen-zucht fiji purple, 1 ATI aqua blue special, 1 ATI blue plus, and 1 uvl super blue actinic. if you go with 6 bulb, I would double the blue special and super blue actinic.
J_Bones
New member
I ended up going with a 36" 4x39W Tek Light fixture. I followed your advice & ordered the bulbs that you recommended. However, I got an e-mail that they are out of the UVL Super Actinics. They want to substitute an IceCap Actinic 420nm. Is this a good bulb or is there another that you would recommend over this (maybe Giesemann?)? Or should I order the UVL from somewhere else?
