New 75g saltwater tank??

thereefkid · 01/31/2006, 09:46 AM

Hi im starting a new saltwater tank and i wasnt sure what kind of MH to get im not looking to spend $1000. Does anyone know a good site to buy retro kits and what would be better 175's or 250's. thanks alot

matt

ASH · 01/31/2006, 11:17 AM

From IceCap:
You're going to get a lot of opinions and mine should be looked at as coming from a RC sponsor / vendor. There's a new screw-in 175-MH 14K lamp Iwasaki just released. Sanjay's review was over the top good. I've recently seen one surrounded by a pair of 175-MH 10K lamps and it overpowered them in output.

A pair of these bulbs with retro kits with ceramic sockets and reflectors, a pair of electronic ballasts and timers and you're good to go. Later I'd consider adding a pair of 46" T-5 HO 54-watt lamps with single lamp reflectors to increase mid day light levels or to act as low tech dimming, have them on first, off last.

If you have an open tank, you'll need enclosed pendants for the MH and shop around for a good pendant deal. Quick disconnects between the ballast and lamp wires is worth doing now, not when you need it.

Andy

Shadowramy · 01/31/2006, 04:39 PM

www.hellolights.com

ARO ballast retro's on 10% off this month. I am getting a good 2x250w XM + VHO setup for about $520.00

01/31/2006, 09:46 AM	#1
thereefkid Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 61	New 75g saltwater tank?? Hi im starting a new saltwater tank and i wasnt sure what kind of MH to get im not looking to spend $1000. Does anyone know a good site to buy retro kits and what would be better 175's or 250's. thanks alot matt

01/31/2006, 11:17 AM	#2
ASH Sponsor Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: NJ, USA Posts: 548	From IceCap: You're going to get a lot of opinions and mine should be looked at as coming from a RC sponsor / vendor. There's a new screw-in 175-MH 14K lamp Iwasaki just released. Sanjay's review was over the top good. I've recently seen one surrounded by a pair of 175-MH 10K lamps and it overpowered them in output. A pair of these bulbs with retro kits with ceramic sockets and reflectors, a pair of electronic ballasts and timers and you're good to go. Later I'd consider adding a pair of 46" T-5 HO 54-watt lamps with single lamp reflectors to increase mid day light levels or to act as low tech dimming, have them on first, off last. If you have an open tank, you'll need enclosed pendants for the MH and shop around for a good pendant deal. Quick disconnects between the ballast and lamp wires is worth doing now, not when you need it. Andy

01/31/2006, 04:39 PM	#3
Shadowramy Moved On Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 598	www.hellolights.com ARO ballast retro's on 10% off this month. I am getting a good 2x250w XM + VHO setup for about $520.00