halite bulb for 55 gallon tank

lilsocker214 · 02/22/2006, 02:43 PM

Hey, im currently running a dual satellite lighting fixture over my 55 gallon LPS reef, but would like to get into SPS corals...Im not sure where I could find good, 275-400 watt halite bulbs and fixtures. The local pet stores here only offer the very basics equipment for getting your tanks started...not looking to send TONS of money, but will sacrifice if i have to...anybody have any suggestions? i was thinking maybe a local hardware store like lowes or home depot, but have been seeing people ask about colors of the bulbs and whatnot and have no idea what to do...any help is greatly appreciated!

aquaman67 · 02/22/2006, 03:54 PM

To Reef Central

www.hellolights.com is a great place to look.

The bulbs at the hardware stores are the wrong color for corals. You also have to match the ballast to the type of bulb.

Unless you know what you're doing, it's best, in my opinion, to get a ready made system.

sales weasel · 02/22/2006, 04:09 PM

You could also check out reefgeek.com I have a 55g that I'm setting up in our basement. I'm using two 175watt 10,000k MH (you need bulbs in the range of 6500k - 20000K. 10 and 14000k seem to be most popular) bulbs and two T5 actinic bulbs. If you have some diy skills, you can build your own canopy and then install a retro kit from a place like hellolights.com or reefgeek.com or drsfostersmith.com, etc.

You can use this link to find diy canopy plans on ReefCentral:
http://www.reefcentral.com/search.php?s=&menu=11

Here are several diy canopy and pendant plans:
http://defcon200.bizland.com/aquariust/id12.html
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/G...mhpendant.html
http://www.cyberreefguru.com/diy/mh_new/mh_new.html
http://www.cyberreefguru.com/diy/mh/mh.html
http://www.kingvinnie.com/aquaria/di...age.asp?cat=25
http://saltaquarium.about.com/librar...ccanopylid.htm
http://home.ptd.net/~reef101/diyhood.html

A retro kit will usually include ballasts, a reflector(s), bulbs. For a canopy, you'll need cooling fans. Also a good quality power source with a built-in surge protector or GFCI

Entropy · 02/22/2006, 04:39 PM

I would use two 175w Iwasaki Aqua2 halides over a 55g. It will work great and allow you to keep pretty much anything you want coral wise.

dvanacker · 02/22/2006, 04:48 PM

Whats a halite??

Entropy · 02/22/2006, 04:57 PM

Metal halide

Zigzag Man · 02/22/2006, 04:58 PM

A typo.

lilsocker214 · 02/22/2006, 05:14 PM

with those iwasaki bulbs, is that all i would need or do i have to get actinic bulbs too?

aquaman67 · 02/22/2006, 06:31 PM

It depends on the color.

If you use 10 K then I would run actinics too. 10 K is brite white.

If you use 20 K bulbs, then no. 20 K bulbs have a bluish tint to them.

Some like 14 or 15 K. They a little more blue than 10 K but not as blue as 20 Ks.

I use 20 Ks but I like the bluish tint.

02/22/2006, 02:43 PM	#1
lilsocker214 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Endicott NY Posts: 3	halite bulb for 55 gallon tank Hey, im currently running a dual satellite lighting fixture over my 55 gallon LPS reef, but would like to get into SPS corals...Im not sure where I could find good, 275-400 watt halite bulbs and fixtures. The local pet stores here only offer the very basics equipment for getting your tanks started...not looking to send TONS of money, but will sacrifice if i have to...anybody have any suggestions? i was thinking maybe a local hardware store like lowes or home depot, but have been seeing people ask about colors of the bulbs and whatnot and have no idea what to do...any help is greatly appreciated!

02/22/2006, 04:39 PM	#4
Entropy Texas Reefer Join Date: May 2003 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 13,656	I would use two 175w Iwasaki Aqua2 halides over a 55g. It will work great and allow you to keep pretty much anything you want coral wise. __________________ Rich Overton 150G cube FOWLR, 30g sump, ReefKeeperII, 3x Koralia 1400's, QuiteOne 3000, Reef Octopus DNWB150, 4x 30w Par38 LED. Current Tank Info: 36x36x27 150g

02/22/2006, 04:48 PM	#5
dvanacker DID I SOUNDS SMRT?? Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Ontario, CAN Posts: 3,690	Whats a halite?? __________________ --DARRYL-- Current Tank Info: 200g SPS dominant Mixed Reef

02/22/2006, 04:57 PM	#6
Entropy Texas Reefer Join Date: May 2003 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 13,656	Metal halide __________________ Rich Overton 150G cube FOWLR, 30g sump, ReefKeeperII, 3x Koralia 1400's, QuiteOne 3000, Reef Octopus DNWB150, 4x 30w Par38 LED. Current Tank Info: 36x36x27 150g

02/22/2006, 04:58 PM	#7
Zigzag Man Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Chico, CA Posts: 491	A typo. __________________ David Current Tank Info: 125g 3/4" Acrylic Cube (36"x36"x24") - 312w T5HO - 250w 10K XDE HQI PFO - Mag 18 return, 6 MJ-1200 • Downsizing to a 24g Nano! Ain't life strange?

02/22/2006, 03:54 PM	#2
aquaman67 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 7,629	*To Reef Central* www.hellolights.com is a great place to look. The bulbs at the hardware stores are the wrong color for corals. You also have to match the ballast to the type of bulb. Unless you know what you're doing, it's best, in my opinion, to get a ready made system.

02/22/2006, 04:09 PM	#3
sales weasel Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Atlanta burbs Posts: 646	You could also check out reefgeek.com I have a 55g that I'm setting up in our basement. I'm using two 175watt 10,000k MH (you need bulbs in the range of 6500k - 20000K. 10 and 14000k seem to be most popular) bulbs and two T5 actinic bulbs. If you have some diy skills, you can build your own canopy and then install a retro kit from a place like hellolights.com or reefgeek.com or drsfostersmith.com, etc. You can use this link to find diy canopy plans on ReefCentral: http://www.reefcentral.com/search.php?s=&menu=11 Here are several diy canopy and pendant plans: http://defcon200.bizland.com/aquariust/id12.html http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/G...mhpendant.html http://www.cyberreefguru.com/diy/mh_new/mh_new.html http://www.cyberreefguru.com/diy/mh/mh.html http://www.kingvinnie.com/aquaria/di...age.asp?cat=25 http://saltaquarium.about.com/librar...ccanopylid.htm http://home.ptd.net/~reef101/diyhood.html A retro kit will usually include ballasts, a reflector(s), bulbs. For a canopy, you'll need cooling fans. Also a good quality power source with a built-in surge protector or GFCI

02/22/2006, 05:14 PM	#8
lilsocker214 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Endicott NY Posts: 3	with those iwasaki bulbs, is that all i would need or do i have to get actinic bulbs too?

02/22/2006, 06:31 PM	#9
aquaman67 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 7,629	It depends on the color. If you use 10 K then I would run actinics too. 10 K is brite white. If you use 20 K bulbs, then no. 20 K bulbs have a bluish tint to them. Some like 14 or 15 K. They a little more blue than 10 K but not as blue as 20 Ks. I use 20 Ks but I like the bluish tint.