metal halide question

sktr021 · 03/17/2008, 07:48 PM

is this what i need?

http://cgi.ebay.com/250-Watt-Metal-H...QQcmdZViewItem

i have a 75 gal. reef that i want to replace lighting on. i really dont want to spend over 500 dollars but do want to have lighting that will leave my options open with coral growth.if not this any suggestions?

Rysam · 03/17/2008, 09:22 PM

for 500$ you have lots of options that are far better than that. i would go with electronic ballasts and decent reflectors. less than 200 ea. including good bulbs. 2 lights would be plenty for a 75. that leaves 100$ to spend on something that will live under your badass lights.
i just bought lumatek ballasts,spider reflectors, and reeflux 12k bulbs for 200 per setup. im very happy with it.

sktr021 · 03/19/2008, 11:17 AM

did you order those online?i ve been looking around and i always got the impression that it would be alot more than that. thanks for the reply btw

dave2184 · 03/19/2008, 12:32 PM

Here grab 2 of these kits off of these guys. They come with everything, electronic ballasts, reflectors, all the wireing needed, and bulbs.

http://www.aquacave.com/icecap-250w-...last-873.html#

DarG · 03/19/2008, 12:52 PM

How about 499 + shipping for something far better than the open ended retro reflectors you are looking at. yes, it's more expensive but you get one of the the best dual ballast, a very good pair of pendant/reflectors and excellent bulbs.

http://www.reefgeek.com/product/Mini...unlight_Supply

Or look at the other combos with same set up but different bulbs ...

http://www.reefgeek.com/product/clearance.php

Or check out reef exotics ... they have good combo deals on complete systems.

Rysam · 03/19/2008, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sktr021
did you order those online?i ve been looking around and i always got the impression that it would be alot more than that. thanks for the reply btw

i bought the ballasts at marine depot and the bulbs and reflectors at hellolights

sktr021 · 03/20/2008, 05:32 AM

alright thanks everyone for the help.im thinking about going with a current Nova Extreme Pro T5HO to help keep temps down.i dont have a chiller and would like to keep it that way.also to help stay away from lots more evap than i already have.ive read up alot and got the idea that i can get similar results with this fixture.plus i can get it for around half the price.

DarG · 03/20/2008, 08:14 AM

Youll be fine with that fixture on a relatively shallow 75 gallon. It is the better T5 fixtures with true individual relfectors that will rival halides, but the Nova Pro is fine for shallower tanks.

03/17/2008, 07:48 PM	#1
sktr021 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 45	metal halide question is this what i need? http://cgi.ebay.com/250-Watt-Metal-H...QQcmdZViewItem i have a 75 gal. reef that i want to replace lighting on. i really dont want to spend over 500 dollars but do want to have lighting that will leave my options open with coral growth.if not this any suggestions?

03/17/2008, 09:22 PM	#2
Rysam Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: paradise california Posts: 1,000	for 500$ you have lots of options that are far better than that. i would go with electronic ballasts and decent reflectors. less than 200 ea. including good bulbs. 2 lights would be plenty for a 75. that leaves 100$ to spend on something that will live under your badass lights. i just bought lumatek ballasts,spider reflectors, and reeflux 12k bulbs for 200 per setup. im very happy with it. __________________ Josh “Seek advice but use your own common sense” Yiddish Proverb quote “Being ignorant is not so much a shame, as being unwilling to learn.” Benjamin Franklin Current Tank Info: 135 reef

03/19/2008, 12:32 PM	#4
dave2184 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Girard, Oh. Posts: 2,549	Here grab 2 of these kits off of these guys. They come with everything, electronic ballasts, reflectors, all the wireing needed, and bulbs. http://www.aquacave.com/icecap-250w-...last-873.html# __________________ -Dave- "Oh ya - I missed one important point. There are other ways to deal with phosphates like phosphate sponges, but it's kind of like trying to fan the stink off a dead skunk." -looser

03/19/2008, 11:17 AM	#3
sktr021 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 45	did you order those online?i ve been looking around and i always got the impression that it would be alot more than that. thanks for the reply btw

03/19/2008, 12:52 PM	#5
DarG Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,515	How about 499 + shipping for something far better than the open ended retro reflectors you are looking at. yes, it's more expensive but you get one of the the best dual ballast, a very good pair of pendant/reflectors and excellent bulbs. http://www.reefgeek.com/product/Mini...unlight_Supply Or look at the other combos with same set up but different bulbs ... http://www.reefgeek.com/product/clearance.php Or check out reef exotics ... they have good combo deals on complete systems.

03/20/2008, 05:32 AM	#7
sktr021 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 45	alright thanks everyone for the help.im thinking about going with a current Nova Extreme Pro T5HO to help keep temps down.i dont have a chiller and would like to keep it that way.also to help stay away from lots more evap than i already have.ive read up alot and got the idea that i can get similar results with this fixture.plus i can get it for around half the price.

03/20/2008, 08:14 AM	#8
DarG Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,515	Youll be fine with that fixture on a relatively shallow 75 gallon. It is the better T5 fixtures with true individual relfectors that will rival halides, but the Nova Pro is fine for shallower tanks.