[Leddy]

Whats up fellas? Been a long time since I've posted. For a while I thought about getting 4 VHO for my 80 gallon, but I've decided to go with MH. Was wondering if dual 175's would do, or 250's. Just needed some input so I can start searching venders for different deals. I'm looking for a retro-fit for my canopy, and was planning on using dual 40w's for actinics. Any info/suggestions would be great, thanks.

[Reefland]

Hi Leddy,

The cost difference between 175's and 250's isn't that great so I would go ahead and get the 250's. I'm not sure of the dimensions of your aquarium but they will punch through the water column better and will be suitable on any tank if you ever upgrade.

[Leddy]

Thats what I thought. The price difference is nothing between the two. I'm gonna start looking for different prices on retro-kits. I guess mogul base sockets are cheaper than double ended HQI fixtures, but like the VHO's I was gonna get, I'll keep looking. Thanks for info Scott, I figure if I'm gonna start a reef I should get the lights that can handle everything. Right now I got 3 different zooanthid species thriving under 3 40w flourescents. I just bought Rob Fenners The Conscientious Marine Aquarist, and also got Wayne Shangs book as a gift. I want some stoneys and clams, simply as that. I got some reading to do, but I think I'm ready for the lights and to start some digitatas (easy SPS from what I read). Tanks been running for a year, time to step it up a bit. I got some shopping to do, my LFS sells PFO ballasts, sockets, etc... I'll see if he could cut me a deal. Maybe just rock a retro-kit from an online vender or something. I'm in no rush to upgrade, but it'll happen unlike the VHO's I wanted. Get the best-of-best if I'm spendin the loot. I just want to keep some SPS and Clams. Patience is always a given. Thanks again for the replies.

[Leddy]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...347937129&rd=1

Scott, whatcha think about this? I'm still searching the sponsors aswell, but this looks like a decent deal, just need bulbs.

Any suggestions/recommendations would be cool, thanks.

[Reefland]

Looks good! Not sure it's the best price considering you'll still need bulbs AND reflectors of some kind.

[Poseidon]

WOW!!! Those are STILL on E-bay??? I think they were there when I bought my halides back 3 years ago... same price too!

For me it was a much better deal to get these:

2-250 Watt IceCap HQI ballasts
2-PFO Spider Reflectors
2- AB 10K bulbs

and some wire from home Depot. My total was $470.00 and that is for an electronic ballast that is 1/4 the size and use at least 10% LESS electricity and will light ANY bulb I want.

That setup with Coral Vue bulbs is going for $432.36 at www.diyreef.com right now.

Buying the ballast from E-bay IF you get it at 199.99 would cost $373 PLUS whatever the seller charges for shipping, which I suspect would be at LEAST 20 dollars as those ballasts are HEAVY!!! And who knows, if you call around and are looking to buy the whole deal from somewhere they may even give you a better deal!

[Leddy]

Thanks for the input, I'm looking toward electronic ballasts now. http://diyreef.com/shop/product_info...products_id=83

It'll be a little bit before I make a final decision, just looking to see what will fit best in my canopy.

[Reefland]

I think that's a better option than the ebay choice.

[Poseidon]

I think that is an extra $50 well spent. I know this hobby costs a fortune, but lights and skimmer are the 2 pieces that just can't be done half ar$$ed...

[Leddy]

I'm back, haven't posted in a while, but the tanks still going good. Alright, its been another year and still no halides. But, now I'm ready. My tank has matured a lot more, and everything seems great. I'm debating between Hqi's and mogul based retro-kits. I might build another canopy after I decide/get the kit, but I was wondering what you all thought on the two types of halides. Hqi's or moguls? Also, if anyone knows of any good online vendors that have nice retro-kits, let me know. Hope to hear from you guys in the near future.

Leddy

[SKRIZ]

I would highly reccomend www.aquariumspecialty.com

I just bought some lighting from there and am very pleased. Great pricing, cheap and prompt shipping, and most importantly...great service. Talk to Scott if you have any questions and he will set you up with the best package for you.

He has some icecap deals right now which might work out for you. I really like the icecap ballasts (small, cool and use less energy $$).

hth

[Poseidon]

^ your link is still working above... Still a good deal!

[Leddy]

ok, so I went ahead and ordered a 250w retro kit to install in my canopy. 2x 250 watts with 14K bulbs, when they get here I'll post some pics. Its a magnetic ballast, m58. I'll keep the ballast outside the stand. I'm gonna go get some fans to attach to my canopy to cool it down. Should I run them with or without my glass tops on the tank? Should I run them for a few hours the first week or so? My Rob Fenner book says it could stress the fish since they're used to weak light, so maybe increase the time run daily? not so sure? My water quality is good, n I just bought C-Balance so I can dose when I get some stoneys. I also dose Kalkwasser about once every 2 weeks. Let me know what you guys think, and I'll post some pics to show how I retro-fit these guys in my hood when I get them. Thanks for the help fellas.

Dan

[The Grim Reefer]

What a long, strange trip it's been ey? Nobody can accuse you of rushing your light decision. If your lamps are not too close to the water you would be better off without the glass lids on the tank. If there is a possibility of the lamps being splashed you might be better at least having glass under each lamp but that will decrease the intensity of the light making it into the tank. It would be a good idea to leave the glass on at first just to give your critters time to acclimate to the more intense light as long as the tank doesn't get too hot.

[Poseidon]

Good Luck Leddy, I agree with Grim above, it has been a LONG road to the lights eh? Make sure to post those pictures when they are all hooked up!

[Leddy]

Still haven't gotten them, I'm super anxious. 1 quick question....Can I touch the bulb with my hand, or do I need to put on gloves. Let me clarify that... When I'm going to put the bulb in the socket. Like with car headlights, the oil on your skin may damage the bulb...Is it the same with metal halide's? When I change the UV sterilizers at work I wear latex gloves, should I do the same with the MH's?

Thanks,
Dan

[BubbaWPB]

Leddy, yes. Wearing gloves when handling the MH bulbs is a good thing.

[charlie]

Originally Posted by BubbaWPB

Leddy, yes. Wearing gloves when handling the MH bulbs is a good thing.

Gloves or just a towel. That works too.

[Leddy]

Alright, thanks fellas. Well its 1:45 AM mtn. time, I just got home from work and they're here. Just checked them out, everything seems good. Im excited to get these things mounted in my canopy. Im gonna get some fans after work tomorrow, then mount the halides. Fire these things up and see how they look. I'll post some pics when Im done.

Thanks,
Dan

[Leddy]

Ok, they're up and mounted. I bought three fans, 2 attached to the canopy, the other blowing through the ballast box. I bought a black sheet to sort of reduce the amount of ambient light, only helps a little cause they're so bright. I also bought a small fire extinguisher just in case. The pictures are pretty bad, but next time I take the canopy off, I'll post so new ones, too lazy right now, gotta go to bed soon.

Dan