Where should I look for MH's?

[fishguy_8]

Hey guys as some of you may have seen my other thread, Im preparing my 220g hex tank as we speak(re-sealing it), and in the spare time I'm getting all of my hardware. So Lighting is my next big expense. I am wanting to get a hood and attach the lights to it. So in order to do that, I need light. I currently have 1X250w MH so i figure 2 or 3 more should do it, along side some pc's and VHO's. So where does everyone recommend to get a "cheap" (as if that exists) halide. Like i said i want to arrange them as i want so im looking for something not in a housing already. thanks
Jon

[The R/C Man]

How tall is your tank and what are you planning to keep in it?

[fishguy_8]

im not sure what the exact height is on it but id guess close to...2.5ft maybe 3ft. i wanna do sps primarily.

[mickey57]

So where does everyone recommend to get a "cheap" (as if that exists) halide.
Jon

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Hellolights.com

[The R/C Man]

I would have to say at 24" or taller you should use 400W Halides for SPS corals. I currently am running a 250W over my 25 gallon tank (20" tall) and its supplimented with 2 65W PC. My 375 gallon is 30" tall and there are 400W Halides on that.... It is all about the penetratation. Ummmm, yeah.... (light into the water that is)

[fishguy_8]

ok i checked hellolights is it possible that a 400w halide ballast can only cost 90 bucks? whats the catch?

[Reefland]

No catch, other than it is a magnetic ballast with no fancy cover.

[fishguy_8]

excuse my lack of electrician lingo but, can you tell me what the difference in ballast, i know i have heard of magnetic and electronic. is one more efficient, safer, better than the other? i want to save money but i dont wanna get garbage just because its cheap.

[Reefland]

Electronic MH ballasts (Icecap for example) are smaller and run much cooler. The Tar ballasts are in big, bulky boxes and the ballast box gets warm. I run a tar and electronic and notice no different in performance with 250w DE's.

[fishguy_8]

ok thanks for the quick info. how many 400w halides would i need for a tank 8ft long and about 24" deep(roughly)?

[Reefland]

I don't think you would need 400w for 24", 250w should be fine for that depth. I would go for 4 of either though, 24" of coverage per light.

[fishguy_8]

that would give me enough to do sps and t.max and whatever else i deem necessary?

[fishguy_8]

ok i just went out and measured it....24" tall, 23" width, 8ft long

[Reefland]

250w will be fine for that depth.