Metal Halide questions...

MikeP471612 · 10/09/2007, 10:46 PM

I'm upgrading from my two 175w 14k MH's to two 250w 14k (maybe 20k) MH's. Although it's not a huge amount of difference in wattage how should I introduce the tank to the new lights? I'm thinking just reduce the photo period and gradually increase it back to where it was originally. I'm also wondering about the mounting position of mogul base MH lamps. When I bought these 175w bulbs about a year ago (they have only been in use for 4 1/2 months) I didn't know there was different mounting positions. The ones I have now are horizontal mount but they are in a vertical position and so far so good. I just wanted to know why the mounting position matters.

Thanks for any info

chrisjet · 10/09/2007, 11:05 PM

mounting position shouldnt matter, IMO i would not worry about introducing those new lights to your tank. Just put them in. Some might disagree. But you should be ok just to swap them out.

BangkokMatt · 10/10/2007, 06:49 AM

Always be cautious, even when making small changes. Even if you knock 3 hours off your photo period time an increase of 15 mins a day will only take 12 days before you are back to normal . Its a no brainer really. You don't need to alter your mounting IMO.

Steve973 · 10/10/2007, 08:58 AM

Have you done par comparisons, or looked at the info on Sanjay's site? If you're using a Hamilton 175W 14000K on an M57 ballast, you're putting out about 29 PPFD, according to Sanjay's data. If you upgraded to a Phoenix 14000K 250W DE bulb on an M80 HQI ballast, you are now up to 88 PPFD according to Sanjay's data. You could let us know the exact bulb/ballast combo you are moving from and to, and we could help you out a little better, but your change could make a HUGE difference, and you absolutely want to be careful.

MikeP471612 · 10/10/2007, 10:39 AM

I haven't purchased the bulbs yet and the all I know about the ballasts is that they are magnetic type (I got them from another reefer). I can open up the boxes and look for a # on the ballast. What about the bulb mounting position? I have found a good deal on bulbs but all he has in stock is horizontal mount.

Steve973 · 10/10/2007, 11:57 AM

I agree with the other people here... I really don't think that the way you mount the fixtures has much impact on things. The important thing is how close/far the fixture is to your water, and your ability to adjust up and down. You probably also want to position the fixtures in such a way that gives you whatever desired coverage you wish for your tank. Know what I mean? Also, be aware of the bulb/ballast combination that you are going to choose. PAR/PPFD and color-wise, I like the Phoenix 14000K 240 DE bulbs. Radium's PAR/PPFD values look very promising, too. I also like the M80 (magnetic) ballasts. Definitely check out bulb/ballast combinations on Sanjay's site:

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

10/09/2007, 10:46 PM	#1
MikeP471612 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Calgary, Alberta Posts: 379	Metal Halide questions... I'm upgrading from my two 175w 14k MH's to two 250w 14k (maybe 20k) MH's. Although it's not a huge amount of difference in wattage how should I introduce the tank to the new lights? I'm thinking just reduce the photo period and gradually increase it back to where it was originally. I'm also wondering about the mounting position of mogul base MH lamps. When I bought these 175w bulbs about a year ago (they have only been in use for 4 1/2 months) I didn't know there was different mounting positions. The ones I have now are horizontal mount but they are in a vertical position and so far so good. I just wanted to know why the mounting position matters. Thanks for any info

10/10/2007, 06:49 AM	#3
BangkokMatt Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Krung Thep Posts: 3,100	Always be cautious, even when making small changes. Even if you knock 3 hours off your photo period time an increase of 15 mins a day will only take 12 days before you are back to normal . Its a no brainer really. You don't need to alter your mounting IMO. __________________ I've spent a lot of money on booze, women and fish. The rest I just squandered. Current Tank Info: 150g sps Reef (now FOWLR after a devastating crash due to chiller) , 2x400w MH (Icecap ballast, Lumenmax 2, Reeflux 12k SE), Deltec AP701, Grotech Tec III, Chiller, 2 x Tunze 6101, 1 x 6205 (+ m/c), bla bla

10/10/2007, 11:57 AM	#6
Steve973 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 469	I agree with the other people here... I really don't think that the way you mount the fixtures has much impact on things. The important thing is how close/far the fixture is to your water, and your ability to adjust up and down. You probably also want to position the fixtures in such a way that gives you whatever desired coverage you wish for your tank. Know what I mean? Also, be aware of the bulb/ballast combination that you are going to choose. PAR/PPFD and color-wise, I like the Phoenix 14000K 240 DE bulbs. Radium's PAR/PPFD values look very promising, too. I also like the M80 (magnetic) ballasts. Definitely check out bulb/ballast combinations on Sanjay's site: http://www.reeflightinginfo.arvixe.com/ Last edited by Steve973; 10/10/2007 at 12:05 PM.

10/09/2007, 11:05 PM	#2
chrisjet Moved On Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: marietta ga Posts: 222	mounting position shouldnt matter, IMO i would not worry about introducing those new lights to your tank. Just put them in. Some might disagree. But you should be ok just to swap them out.

10/10/2007, 08:58 AM	#4
Steve973 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 469	Have you done par comparisons, or looked at the info on Sanjay's site? If you're using a Hamilton 175W 14000K on an M57 ballast, you're putting out about 29 PPFD, according to Sanjay's data. If you upgraded to a Phoenix 14000K 250W DE bulb on an M80 HQI ballast, you are now up to 88 PPFD according to Sanjay's data. You could let us know the exact bulb/ballast combo you are moving from and to, and we could help you out a little better, but your change could make a HUGE difference, and you absolutely want to be careful.

10/10/2007, 10:39 AM	#5
MikeP471612 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Calgary, Alberta Posts: 379	I haven't purchased the bulbs yet and the all I know about the ballasts is that they are magnetic type (I got them from another reefer). I can open up the boxes and look for a # on the ballast. What about the bulb mounting position? I have found a good deal on bulbs but all he has in stock is horizontal mount.