Aquatic Lighting Systems

[horn1004]

I want to upgrade my pc's and run a MH-pc combo. My only problem is that I'm a college student and money is pretty tight. My lighting now consists of two Realux retro kits. I have 4 36 watt 50/50 bulbs for a total of 144 watts over a 46gal BF. That equals roughly 3 watts per gallon. I would like to go up to about 7 watts per gallon. I was thinking of going with a 175w halide and switching at least 1 set of pc over to actinic and using the other one as daylight. I stumbled upon www.Aquaticlighting.com and found what I think is the cheapest place to get MH lighting. I was thinking of upgrading and going with the 12K bulb. That would be a total of $154. Or I could get the 250w 12K bulb for $185. Is anybody using a setup from them, and if so what do you think about it? Are the lights and ballasts of good quality? Also, what do you guys think of that setup, and if you were me, what would you do differently? Thanks in advance for your help!!

[scubadude]

Welcome to Reefland!

I have bought 3 different lighting systems from them....they are great!! as a matter of fact I have one complete retro kit for sale if you are interested

1-175MH 12k bulb
1-mogul socket
1-ballast

All of this is from them too....the ballast is around 8mos. old and the bulb is about 4 mos. old I will sell it all for $85 plus shipping if your interested email me at admin@tents.net

[golfish]

horn1004,
I don't want mess up Scubadudes sell but have you ever seen a 12K Sunburst bulb (I'm guessing its a Sunburst) I used one (400 watter) for a few months and swapped it out for a 6.5K (Iwasaki) bulb. I swapped bulbs again this morning because I wanted to see how much heat difference there was between the two bulbs (the tank runs about 1 degree cooler with the 12K) I'll be putting the Iwasaki back in tomorrow morning. The 12K just doesn't put out the light, The color is ok if you like a blue tank but if you want to keep light loving corals I would go with at least a 10K

[organicreefer]

i use a 400 w sunburst and though i like the color(its not too blue)i have to agree with golfish that it doesnt put out the light.considering you have pc's for actinics,i would definitely go 10k(if you go 175w) or iwasaki(250w).jmo.

[naser]

ive had almost all the bulbs now. 20000k 10000k 12000k and 6500k. the best bulb is the 20000k as far as coloration. next is the 10000k. the 12000k bulb just turned my sps's brown. neon green to brown. my 12000k bulb even melted. just watch out for what you buy.