Upgrading to MH maybe.

jedimaster · 09-10-2002, 10:05 AM

Currently I have 4 48" NO Flo's 2-18k & 2-20k. I also had 4 6,500k but I took them off as I didn;t have any need as I didn't have corals. I am now wnating to keep corals, So what should I add? I was thinking 2 175's in combo with my 4 nos for actinics would be great, or should I replace it all with VHO? or should I go with bigger MH's? like 250's or 400's? I would like to eventually keep a clam or two. My tank is 48" long by 24"top to bottom 90 gallons.

Any thoughts? Oh yah and If I go with MH's mogul or HQI? And should I worry about what ballasts to get? Can I just get some ballasts from the electrical supply store and build it all myself or do the aquarium bulbs require special ballasts?

jedimaster · 09-10-2002, 10:19 AM

To my understanding if I build my own MH lighting system, I need to get a ballast, capacitor and an ignitor, right?

PerryinCA · 09-10-2002, 07:56 PM

I would think that for a 90, 250 should be OK, but I would prefer to get the 400 (maybe just a testosterone thing? hehe

). In reality I have noticed better growth with the 400w. But if heat is a problem, stick with the 250w. While 175 would suffice, you'll have more flexibility with the 250, and better lamp options.

As to ballasts, I would look into an HQI ballast made by advance for the european 250w lamps.

For a pulse start ballast you have the right trio - Ballast, Cap. and ignitor. Standard domestic ballasts will only have a ballast and a cap.

-Perry

jedimaster · 09-11-2002, 12:23 PM

So. If an HQI 250 is the same price as 400w standard whitch one would you get? Minus the testosterone, my wife would kill if I said I got the bigger ones because they are bigger.

PerryinCA · 09-11-2002, 02:00 PM

Well, I think that if you run the proper ballast for the 250, the single ended and double ended lamps will both be great. Double ended have shown to be more effecient....then again in some recent tests, it gives evidence to the opposite. MACNA will provide some new information in this regard.

Now in regards to the ballast, if you like the Bluer appearance of the Radium lamps, then I would go for the 400w. For a little more $ you can get a pulse start, that will be more reliable for the AB, Ushio and Radium lamps.

If you plan on running the 250w 10k, then go with a 250w HQI ballast.

-Perry

jedimaster · 09-11-2002, 04:35 PM

I am fairly positive now I will go with 400watt pulse start ballasts. I don't really need the extra blue as I will continue to run my 4 40 watt tubes for actinics. so I am thinking of a 6,500 - 15k bulb any thoughts on that? Or where the cheapest place to get them from?

09-10-2002, 10:05 AM	#1
jedimaster Tenant Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 50	Upgrading to MH maybe. Currently I have 4 48" NO Flo's 2-18k & 2-20k. I also had 4 6,500k but I took them off as I didn;t have any need as I didn't have corals. I am now wnating to keep corals, So what should I add? I was thinking 2 175's in combo with my 4 nos for actinics would be great, or should I replace it all with VHO? or should I go with bigger MH's? like 250's or 400's? I would like to eventually keep a clam or two. My tank is 48" long by 24"top to bottom 90 gallons. Any thoughts? Oh yah and If I go with MH's mogul or HQI? And should I worry about what ballasts to get? Can I just get some ballasts from the electrical supply store and build it all myself or do the aquarium bulbs require special ballasts? __________________ http://jedifish.20m.com

09-10-2002, 10:19 AM	#2
jedimaster Tenant Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 50	To my understanding if I build my own MH lighting system, I need to get a ballast, capacitor and an ignitor, right? __________________ http://jedifish.20m.com

09-10-2002, 07:56 PM	#3
PerryinCA Governor Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Folsom, CA Posts: 2,103	I would think that for a 90, 250 should be OK, but I would prefer to get the 400 (maybe just a testosterone thing? hehe). In reality I have noticed better growth with the 400w. But if heat is a problem, stick with the 250w. While 175 would suffice, you'll have more flexibility with the 250, and better lamp options. As to ballasts, I would look into an HQI ballast made by advance for the european 250w lamps. For a pulse start ballast you have the right trio - Ballast, Cap. and ignitor. Standard domestic ballasts will only have a ballast and a cap. -Perry

09-11-2002, 12:23 PM	#4
jedimaster Tenant Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 50	So. If an HQI 250 is the same price as 400w standard whitch one would you get? Minus the testosterone, my wife would kill if I said I got the bigger ones because they are bigger. __________________ http://jedifish.20m.com

09-11-2002, 04:35 PM	#6
jedimaster Tenant Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 50	I am fairly positive now I will go with 400watt pulse start ballasts. I don't really need the extra blue as I will continue to run my 4 40 watt tubes for actinics. so I am thinking of a 6,500 - 15k bulb any thoughts on that? Or where the cheapest place to get them from? __________________ http://jedifish.20m.com

09-11-2002, 02:00 PM	#5
PerryinCA Governor Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Folsom, CA Posts: 2,103	Well, I think that if you run the proper ballast for the 250, the single ended and double ended lamps will both be great. Double ended have shown to be more effecient....then again in some recent tests, it gives evidence to the opposite. MACNA will provide some new information in this regard. Now in regards to the ballast, if you like the Bluer appearance of the Radium lamps, then I would go for the 400w. For a little more $ you can get a pulse start, that will be more reliable for the AB, Ushio and Radium lamps. If you plan on running the 250w 10k, then go with a 250w HQI ballast. -Perry

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