175 Watt or 250?

cyberlady · 04/10/2006, 09:21 PM

Guess I'm breaking down and getting a MH
I've been reading and checking and reading and looking.
Wow, so much to learn. The amazing thing, I'm learning.
Slowly but surely.
My question of the day is:
What is the right wattage for me? Is it a matter of preference or are there
really specs for this? I read that there are correct intensities for the depgh.
I have a 55g about 20 inches or so deep. I'll be getting someday a bigger
tank about 24" deep so want to plan ahead for this one.
I was looking to get a 250 Watt.
Should I change to a 175?
I'm hopefully going with an electronic ballast. I'm desperately looking
for a dual but only came up with a single at the moment. Any good
links for a dual would be greatly appreciated too.
Any cons on the electronic ballast. I've only read good stuff.

The Correct Intensity for the Correct Depth Offered in:
Ã¢â‚¬Â¢ 175 Watt for aquariums 18" in depth
Ã¢â‚¬Â¢ 250 Watt for aquariums 30" in depth
Ã¢â‚¬Â¢ 400 Watt for aquariums 48" in depth

So should I go by this chart?

Bebo77 · 04/10/2006, 09:29 PM

i would say 250 watt.. thats would work for what you have now and can be used for your future upgrade...

cyberlady · 04/10/2006, 09:57 PM

Thanks Bebo. That's just what I wanted to hear.

Any thoughts on the electronic ballast?

orlenz · 04/10/2006, 10:29 PM

well there are several different e-ballasts, what bulbs to you plan on using?

cyberlady · 04/11/2006, 07:34 PM

I was thinking of a 250 watt CoralVue 10 0r 15

SaltyMember · 04/12/2006, 06:29 AM

Consider the EVC ballasts/retrofits, I use them and am pleased with the quality. Price is right too.
http://www.oceanencounter.com

cyberlady · 04/12/2006, 06:41 PM

The ballast I was looking at is an IceCap 250 Watt Electronic Metal Halide/HQI ballast.
I checked out the EVC ballast you mentioned.
The specs seem to be similar but do have some differences.
Once again none that I understand.
Is it possible to give me a quick lesson?
How comparable are they?
I know you prefer the EVC. Why.
Sorry to be such a pest but I am tired of having to buy and do everything twice. I just want to make sure I get something I'll be happy with for a long time

DrHarryLopez · 04/12/2006, 06:50 PM

whats the difference between 10KK and 20KK?

SaltyMember · 04/12/2006, 07:28 PM

Quote:

I now you prefer the EVC. Why.

Well, the primary appeal for me was the reasonable price. They also perform well compared to other electronic ballasts. You can compare different ballasts and bulbs here:

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

I would have no problem purchasing an IceCap ballast or Hellolights' Electronic ballast. Both of these have good reputations on RC. The EVC was the better deal so I went with it.

cyberlady · 04/12/2006, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DrHarryLopez
whats the difference between 10KK and 20KK?

Here are some Ã‚Â°K examples and their corresponding color descriptions:

3000K yellowish

5000K noon sun

10000K white with blue

20000K MH blue

cyberlady · 04/12/2006, 07:56 PM

Well I think I'll go with the IceCap.
CoralVue 10000 or 15000
Decisions Decisions

04/10/2006, 09:21 PM	#1
cyberlady Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Tigerton, WI Posts: 104	175 Watt or 250? Guess I'm breaking down and getting a MH I've been reading and checking and reading and looking. Wow, so much to learn. The amazing thing, I'm learning. Slowly but surely. My question of the day is: What is the right wattage for me? Is it a matter of preference or are there really specs for this? I read that there are correct intensities for the depgh. I have a 55g about 20 inches or so deep. I'll be getting someday a bigger tank about 24" deep so want to plan ahead for this one. I was looking to get a 250 Watt. Should I change to a 175? I'm hopefully going with an electronic ballast. I'm desperately looking for a dual but only came up with a single at the moment. Any good links for a dual would be greatly appreciated too. Any cons on the electronic ballast. I've only read good stuff. The Correct Intensity for the Correct Depth Offered in: Ã¢â‚¬Â¢ 175 Watt for aquariums 18" in depth Ã¢â‚¬Â¢ 250 Watt for aquariums 30" in depth Ã¢â‚¬Â¢ 400 Watt for aquariums 48" in depth So should I go by this chart? __________________ PRINCESS, HAVING HAD SUFFICIENT EXPERIENCE WITH PRINCES, SEEKS FROG. Time is never wasted when you're wasted all the time. Current Tank Info: 55g salt, 46g salt, 30g fresh

04/10/2006, 09:29 PM	#2
Bebo77 Premium Nonpaying Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Lost Posts: 14,377	i would say 250 watt.. thats would work for what you have now and can be used for your future upgrade... __________________ Gabriel Current Tank Info: 300 Gal Envision Tank(98Lx30Wx26T) 120 Gal SoCalCreations Sump, Deltec TC2560, 2 LumenarcsMini 1 Reg on a light mover W Radiums 250& 400, Gallaxy ballasts, Red Dragon 10m3 return W/ 2 WavySeas, 2 6155 Tunze streams

04/10/2006, 09:57 PM	#3
cyberlady Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Tigerton, WI Posts: 104	Thanks Bebo. That's just what I wanted to hear. Any thoughts on the electronic ballast? __________________ PRINCESS, HAVING HAD SUFFICIENT EXPERIENCE WITH PRINCES, SEEKS FROG. Time is never wasted when you're wasted all the time. Current Tank Info: 55g salt, 46g salt, 30g fresh

04/11/2006, 07:34 PM	#5
cyberlady Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Tigerton, WI Posts: 104	I was thinking of a 250 watt CoralVue 10 0r 15 __________________ PRINCESS, HAVING HAD SUFFICIENT EXPERIENCE WITH PRINCES, SEEKS FROG. Time is never wasted when you're wasted all the time. Current Tank Info: 55g salt, 46g salt, 30g fresh

04/12/2006, 06:41 PM	#7
cyberlady Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Tigerton, WI Posts: 104	The ballast I was looking at is an IceCap 250 Watt Electronic Metal Halide/HQI ballast. I checked out the EVC ballast you mentioned. The specs seem to be similar but do have some differences. Once again none that I understand. Is it possible to give me a quick lesson? How comparable are they? I know you prefer the EVC. Why. Sorry to be such a pest but I am tired of having to buy and do everything twice. I just want to make sure I get something I'll be happy with for a long time __________________ PRINCESS, HAVING HAD SUFFICIENT EXPERIENCE WITH PRINCES, SEEKS FROG. Time is never wasted when you're wasted all the time. Current Tank Info: 55g salt, 46g salt, 30g fresh Last edited by cyberlady; 04/12/2006 at 07:28 PM.

04/10/2006, 10:29 PM	#4
orlenz Awaiting Email Confirmation Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: California Posts: 1,648	well there are several different e-ballasts, what bulbs to you plan on using?

04/12/2006, 06:29 AM	#6
SaltyMember Premium Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: NJ Posts: 1,355	Consider the EVC ballasts/retrofits, I use them and am pleased with the quality. Price is right too. http://www.oceanencounter.com

04/12/2006, 06:50 PM	#8
DrHarryLopez One Happy Reefer Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Ozone Park, New York Posts: 3,267	whats the difference between 10KK and 20KK? __________________ NYReefClub Reefing since 1/2000 Current Tank Info: 180g reef, 55g Frag, 40g refuge, 75g sump, 2 Ati 250 Bubble masters, Wavebox, stream2, MP40's, blueline HD 100 main pump

04/12/2006, 07:56 PM	#11
cyberlady Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Tigerton, WI Posts: 104	Well I think I'll go with the IceCap. CoralVue 10000 or 15000 Decisions Decisions __________________ PRINCESS, HAVING HAD SUFFICIENT EXPERIENCE WITH PRINCES, SEEKS FROG. Time is never wasted when you're wasted all the time. Current Tank Info: 55g salt, 46g salt, 30g fresh