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new light opinions

N

Nikola

Hey all,
I have an 58 gallon Oceanic tank running a JBJ 2X96w PC. I want to upgrade to halide 150W or 250W DE. I am going to build a hood. I have a PC ballast to run for atinic's, most likely a 65w or 96w. But for the metal halide choice; wattage, K value, brand, where to purchase, reflector, ballast, ect. Any opinion on this would be grate.
Thanks,
Andrew
 
MikeNapoli

MikeNapoli

Hey Andrew,

How's everything. Your damsel is still at Aquatic Obsessions. That thing is a MONSTER.

Anyway. Alot of us are using the Coralife 12K reeflux HQI or SE. I'm running 2 250w on a 24" deep 120g AGA. I think you can get away with 150w if you want. Last I can remember you're doing LPS and softies. Are you planning on going with SPS. If you are then I would go with the 250w.

As far as where to purchase you can always start at A.O. and get a price. Then if that doesn't work you can search the internet. Hellolights and Champion are good choices too but it's a little confusing when ordering parts if you don't know what you're doing. That's why I just go to the LFS. Good luck.
 
H

hayabusa2003

If you're planning to DIY your lighting and canopy, look into Lumenarc III reflectors. If I could do it over again I would use these. I took the cheap route when I did it, and now regret it. Over a 58 gal you'd only need one.

I'd also recommend going with the 250watt ballast. The difference in price isn't that much, so IMO it's worth it.
 
blange3

blange3

Hey Andrew, how's things?

As I recall you had a lot of mushrooms in that tank. Remember to acclimate them slowly to the increased lighting.
 
malulu

malulu

NJRC Member
i would suggest with MH with T5... forget about the PC!!
i am very happy that i add the new T5 in after i used the under powered PCs...
they looks better and brighter, and coral look nicer!

:D
 
N

Nikola

Thanks for all the help. Blange3, I do have a bunch of different mushrooms. My goal was to burn them to finally get rid of them, just kidding. NapoliNJ , I caught that fish with a hook, my buddy almost crapped in his pants when I set the hook and pulled him out. How's the rock? I still have about 250#, I should post it to help pay for lighting. I think I am going with a icecap electronic ballast and looking into the Lumenarc reflectors. I am going to start with the PC for atinic because I have a bunch of ballasts and new bulbs. T5 I am definitely interested in the future. Malulu, what T5 bulb are you using?
Andrew
 
D

DaveK

The ballast you found seems to be similar to ballasts supplied by Ice Cap or ARO. The thing is you never know exactly what is inside. It might be better or it might be worse.

I'd look at it this way. With lighting, if it fails, your tank is still going to run ok for at least several days, more than enough time to order, receive, and install new components. Also, consider that the price of the ballasts is about 1/2 of what you pay for Ice Cap or ARO, so the savings is reasonable, especially if you need more than one.

I'd be willing to take a chance with something like this, provided that if something didn't work out, I'd be willing to just write off the cost of the ballasts, and get ballasts made by someone else.

It's something of a risk, but there is also a considerable saving.
 
H

hayabusa2003

IMO, a bulb is only as good as the ballast that's driving it. Check out Sanjay's web site, and you'll see the variations in PAR output for the same bulb using different ballasts.

http://www.reeflightinginfo.arvixe.com/selectperformancedata.php

An ARO 250watt ballast at hellolights is $99. The 250watt ballast at this site is $80. For $20, I personally wouldn't chance getting an inferior ballast that may/may not even fire MH bulbs properly (and MH bulbs are expensive). You have a 58gal so you'll only need 1 ballast anyway. You can probably find a slightly used ice-cap if you're bargain shopping (ice-caps have 3yr warranties).

Just like any other product, you'll pay extra for a proven track record.
 
Ligershark

Ligershark

i have a single ended light set up and use 175w 14k iwasaki bulbs. i am very pleased with them. they do make double ended bulbs with higher wattage but im not sure how good they are cause not many people on this forum use them. my actinics are 420nm super actinic vho's. whether you are using t5's for t 12 vho's use 420nm instead of 460nm. you will get more vibrant colors on your mushrooms.
 
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