Halide Q & A - Page 4

Madfronter · 02/24/2009, 11:10 AM

I was wondering if you think it will be too much light for my 55 gallon if I put a 2x250 watt metal halide set up on the tank? That's 9 watts per gallon. I'm thinking that might be too much. Or should I look into a 2x150w set up? That's about 5.5 watts per gallon. I currently have zoanthids, kenya trees, Montiporas and some acros. Also keep in mind that I might upgrade to a 75 in the next year or so.

zackdastack · 02/25/2009, 12:03 PM

i have a current solana. 20x20 and just ordered a sundial hqi. How should i go about acclimating it. I have a 55w power compact right now

dwade0323 · 03/02/2009, 09:49 PM

Hey guys, i recently upgraded my tank to a 65 gal (36x18) and i bought a 36" 150w MH fixture. The tank is about 26" in height. Should i consider changing to a stronger MH? If so let me know to which. Thanks

walter

125G Reefer · 03/04/2009, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Madfronter
I was wondering if you think it will be too much light for my 55 gallon if I put a 2x250 watt metal halide set up on the tank? That's 9 watts per gallon. I'm thinking that might be too much. Or should I look into a 2x150w set up? That's about 5.5 watts per gallon. I currently have zoanthids, kenya trees, Montiporas and some acros. Also keep in mind that I might upgrade to a 75 in the next year or so.

Why not go with a 175w setup. It will work on both your current setup and the 75g.

125G Reefer · 03/04/2009, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dwade0323
Hey guys, i recently upgraded my tank to a 65 gal (36x18) and i bought a 36" 150w MH fixture. The tank is about 26" in height. Should i consider changing to a stronger MH? If so let me know to which. Thanks

walter

26" is to deep for a 150w halide, yo might want to upgrade that to a 250w for the depth.

dwade0323 · 03/08/2009, 01:13 PM

I recently bought the 36" Coral life 150w 10K fixture for my tank. If i wanted to upgrade to a 250 metal halide 14K bulb what else besides the ballast do i need to change?? Does anyone have a contact number for coral life?

Thanks, Walter

tdkarl · 03/08/2009, 02:16 PM

Hey gang I am upgrading my 75 gallon tank to a 110. Currently I am using Coralife 48 Inch Aqualight 260 watts. I am having a 15" canopy made for the new 110 so I can upgrade my lights since its a deeper tank. The measurements on the 110 are 48x18x30. From what I am reading the MH 400's are probably what I should use since its 30" deep. anyone have a prescription on lighting they would like to suggest? I am looking for something that can do SPS and LPS. Probably a combo between MH's and T5's. Any thoughts.... I am new to MH and trying to read up on them, but there is so much infomation its hard to understand it all.

phodem · 03/08/2009, 03:37 PM

hello all of the halide experts ,i need some advice for my 220gallons 30inches deep tank ,right now im running three 250watts 14k phoenix bulb in aqua medic fixture ,along with two super actinic 165 watts each, just want to get the best light for all of our sps ,will three 400watts 20k along with 2 super actinic work better ? or replace new reflector for three 250watts 14k phoenix bulb i have right now ? thanks so much for all input ,%80 in the tank is sps just some lps

jshepherd · 03/14/2009, 12:06 PM

Trying to make sense of all this

I have a 150g long so it is 72" long and top of water to sand depth is 24"

I have a hemmerhead and some xenia but thats it but plan to add more and want to make sure I am prepared for it.

For now I would like to know if I should go with 3x250, 2x400 or 3 x 400. My tank also has a brace in the middle but I was considering replacing it with a 1/2" x 1" brace so i would not see the shadow if running a light over the center.

Also SE or DE?

I am having a canopy built so height is open right now and running a chiller is not a problem.

thanks

reject · 03/28/2009, 05:52 PM

Hi new at this Reef Keeping what lights would be good on a 29gal. tank 30x18x12????

Jasanden · 04/07/2009, 07:32 PM

Hi all
I need help. I have a 120 gal reef. Which was previously lit by a solaris I4 until 1 of the 2 power supply's went bad. When it went it was 2 late to get another one. So I did not hesitate and got 2 t5 54 watt retro kits. For a total of 4 bulbs and I had 2 150 hqi halides laying around that I put on. All bulbs are brand new. Halides are 14 k ushio. The pendants themselve are different one is a coralife clamp on and the other is sunpak I believe. T5 's are on for 10 hours and halides are only on for 2 hrs. Its been 2 months and nothing is adjusting . 60 percent of the coraline has bleached. Everything closed 40 minutes after halides come on. I have stop using the halides for now and coraline is coming back slowly. I have asked around and the only thing I can think is maybe the protective glass on each is not uv rated.. does that sound right? anyone have a Idea?

woochild86 · 04/09/2009, 02:07 PM

This is in reply to rejects post. I have the exact same tank with the same dimensions, and I was told to go with one 250w metal halide and four T5's and I also want to put some DIY moonlights on the hood as well. Any sugestions?

53846b · 04/14/2009, 11:48 AM

I have an old 250w ballast, and a 150w bulb and holder... if i combine bth of these will the bulb last and be ok or will it destroy something?

mkarston · 04/14/2009, 12:51 PM

I had this light kit on my 29 gal reef:

24" 4x24W Tek Light T5 High-Output Fixture

Here is are a couple pictures of it:

fatboyt123 · 05/01/2009, 11:27 PM

well i am setting up my 155 gallon bow-front and trying to figure out my lights.The one thing i really need to know is what brand of ballast to get.I am going to be going with 3 250watt on this tank.

What brand do you guys like that are 250watts.Something that is not very loud,not to heavy, and doesnt take up to much space.

and not very pricey

thanks

jhoff · 05/09/2009, 01:08 PM

Hi guy's,
Anyone useing the new belize sun HQI / T5 fixtures? Thinking of getting one for my 46g bow 250w 14000k need to know the good , the bad, the ugly b4 i drop 5+bills

Thanks Jim

nicks387 · 05/15/2009, 05:52 PM

anyone know a good combo for 250w electric galaxy ballasts?

nicks387 · 05/15/2009, 05:52 PM

anyone know a good combo for 250w electric galaxy ballasts?

jimidalock · 05/24/2009, 05:51 AM

Great tread guys, but how long are you running these lights? The photoperiod is just as important as the as the spectrum. I can use some advice with my tank lighting my colors are kinda dull and someone told me running my 400 watt mh 8 hrs is way too long.

superchargeme · 05/24/2009, 07:20 AM

OK metal halide fans I have a 1000 watt HQI system I have run Radiums one it and plan to contiue. My question is what sq. ft do you think it will cover? I want to go rimless but might have to go euro braced, Thanks In advance

guillotine · 05/26/2009, 02:27 PM

ok guys i just bought a 140gal the demensions are 48"x24"x30" and i am trying to decide my lights i was thinking either 2 400w or 2 250w with maybe 4 T5s overdriven or two 96w pc bulbs can anyone help me with some logical advise as to what to get i will be growing probly a lil of everything lps.sps.softies,zoas but mainly softies and lps, and zoas thanks for any advice plz pm with adive if u could

Guy340 · 05/27/2009, 12:21 PM

guillotine,

You could try going with 2 250s 10K with your 4 T5s to supplement. You'd get extremely nice par for growth and still have the T5s to help with coloration.

Shock130 · 06/07/2009, 05:06 PM

SE vs DE .... What is better? I plan on putting over a 18" deep tank....

augustasalty · 06/27/2009, 12:47 PM

thanks for all the helpful information

nicks387 · 07/19/2009, 12:15 PM

Does anyone know what the best 400w HQI mogul 20k bulb might be in terms of intensity?

03/02/2009, 09:49 PM	#78
dwade0323 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 2	Metal Halide Hey guys, i recently upgraded my tank to a 65 gal (36x18) and i bought a 36" 150w MH fixture. The tank is about 26" in height. Should i consider changing to a stronger MH? If so let me know to which. Thanks walter

03/08/2009, 01:13 PM	#81
dwade0323 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 2	help!! I recently bought the 36" Coral life 150w 10K fixture for my tank. If i wanted to upgrade to a 250 metal halide 14K bulb what else besides the ballast do i need to change?? Does anyone have a contact number for coral life? Thanks, Walter

03/08/2009, 02:16 PM	#82
tdkarl Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Jacksonville, Fl Posts: 85	Hey gang I am upgrading my 75 gallon tank to a 110. Currently I am using Coralife 48 Inch Aqualight 260 watts. I am having a 15" canopy made for the new 110 so I can upgrade my lights since its a deeper tank. The measurements on the 110 are 48x18x30. From what I am reading the MH 400's are probably what I should use since its 30" deep. anyone have a prescription on lighting they would like to suggest? I am looking for something that can do SPS and LPS. Probably a combo between MH's and T5's. Any thoughts.... I am new to MH and trying to read up on them, but there is so much infomation its hard to understand it all. __________________ Tony K. Jacksonville, Fl. "A reef tank is a hole between two pieces of glass you throw money into." Current Tank Info: 110 gallon mix reef

04/09/2009, 02:07 PM	#87
woochild86 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Rocklin, CA Posts: 21	lighting for 29 gal tank This is in reply to rejects post. I have the exact same tank with the same dimensions, and I was told to go with one 250w metal halide and four T5's and I also want to put some DIY moonlights on the hood as well. Any sugestions?

04/14/2009, 11:48 AM	#88
53846b Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: central VA Posts: 3	will it work? I have an old 250w ballast, and a 150w bulb and holder... if i combine bth of these will the bulb last and be ok or will it destroy something?

02/24/2009, 11:10 AM	#76
Madfronter Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: PA Posts: 284	I was wondering if you think it will be too much light for my 55 gallon if I put a 2x250 watt metal halide set up on the tank? That's 9 watts per gallon. I'm thinking that might be too much. Or should I look into a 2x150w set up? That's about 5.5 watts per gallon. I currently have zoanthids, kenya trees, Montiporas and some acros. Also keep in mind that I might upgrade to a 75 in the next year or so.

02/25/2009, 12:03 PM	#77
zackdastack Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: bethel Posts: 249	i have a current solana. 20x20 and just ordered a sundial hqi. How should i go about acclimating it. I have a 55w power compact right now

03/08/2009, 03:37 PM	#83
phodem Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: edmond Posts: 43	hello all of the halide experts ,i need some advice for my 220gallons 30inches deep tank ,right now im running three 250watts 14k phoenix bulb in aqua medic fixture ,along with two super actinic 165 watts each, just want to get the best light for all of our sps ,will three 400watts 20k along with 2 super actinic work better ? or replace new reflector for three 250watts 14k phoenix bulb i have right now ? thanks so much for all input ,%80 in the tank is sps just some lps

03/14/2009, 12:06 PM	#84
jshepherd Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Massillon, Ohio Posts: 98 Blog Entries: 2	Trying to make sense of all this I have a 150g long so it is 72" long and top of water to sand depth is 24" I have a hemmerhead and some xenia but thats it but plan to add more and want to make sure I am prepared for it. For now I would like to know if I should go with 3x250, 2x400 or 3 x 400. My tank also has a brace in the middle but I was considering replacing it with a 1/2" x 1" brace so i would not see the shadow if running a light over the center. Also SE or DE? I am having a canopy built so height is open right now and running a chiller is not a problem. thanks

03/28/2009, 05:52 PM	#85
reject Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Charlestown,Ind. Posts: 2	Hi new at this Reef Keeping what lights would be good on a 29gal. tank 30x18x12????

04/07/2009, 07:32 PM	#86
Jasanden Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: southeast , pa Posts: 417	Hi all I need help. I have a 120 gal reef. Which was previously lit by a solaris I4 until 1 of the 2 power supply's went bad. When it went it was 2 late to get another one. So I did not hesitate and got 2 t5 54 watt retro kits. For a total of 4 bulbs and I had 2 150 hqi halides laying around that I put on. All bulbs are brand new. Halides are 14 k ushio. The pendants themselve are different one is a coralife clamp on and the other is sunpak I believe. T5 's are on for 10 hours and halides are only on for 2 hrs. Its been 2 months and nothing is adjusting . 60 percent of the coraline has bleached. Everything closed 40 minutes after halides come on. I have stop using the halides for now and coraline is coming back slowly. I have asked around and the only thing I can think is maybe the protective glass on each is not uv rated.. does that sound right? anyone have a Idea?

04/14/2009, 12:51 PM	#89
mkarston Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 449	29 Gal Lighting I had this light kit on my 29 gal reef: 24" 4x24W Tek Light T5 High-Output Fixture Here is are a couple pictures of it:

05/01/2009, 11:27 PM	#90
fatboyt123 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Tacoma Wa. Posts: 104	well i am setting up my 155 gallon bow-front and trying to figure out my lights.The one thing i really need to know is what brand of ballast to get.I am going to be going with 3 250watt on this tank. What brand do you guys like that are 250watts.Something that is not very loud,not to heavy, and doesnt take up to much space. and not very pricey thanks

05/09/2009, 01:08 PM	#91
jhoff Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Edison New Jersey Posts: 1,082	Hi guy's, Anyone useing the new belize sun HQI / T5 fixtures? Thinking of getting one for my 46g bow 250w 14000k need to know the good , the bad, the ugly b4 i drop 5+bills Thanks Jim

05/15/2009, 05:52 PM	#92
nicks387 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: MA Posts: 96	anyone know a good combo for 250w electric galaxy ballasts?

05/24/2009, 05:51 AM	#94
jimidalock Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Westhampton Beach New York Posts: 29	Great tread guys, but how long are you running these lights? The photoperiod is just as important as the as the spectrum. I can use some advice with my tank lighting my colors are kinda dull and someone told me running my 400 watt mh 8 hrs is way too long.

05/24/2009, 07:20 AM	#95
superchargeme Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Munroe Falls, Ohio Posts: 494	OK metal halide fans I have a 1000 watt HQI system I have run Radiums one it and plan to contiue. My question is what sq. ft do you think it will cover? I want to go rimless but might have to go euro braced, Thanks In advance

05/26/2009, 02:27 PM	#96
guillotine Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: strongsville, oh 44136 Posts: 419	ok guys i just bought a 140gal the demensions are 48"x24"x30" and i am trying to decide my lights i was thinking either 2 400w or 2 250w with maybe 4 T5s overdriven or two 96w pc bulbs can anyone help me with some logical advise as to what to get i will be growing probly a lil of everything lps.sps.softies,zoas but mainly softies and lps, and zoas thanks for any advice plz pm with adive if u could __________________ kevin, Current Tank Info: 125g mixed reef, 100% DIY stand, hood, LED lighting, external overflows, Sump, external Fuge

05/27/2009, 12:21 PM	#97
Guy340 Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: WV Posts: 203	guillotine, You could try going with 2 250s 10K with your 4 T5s to supplement. You'd get extremely nice par for growth and still have the T5s to help with coloration.

06/07/2009, 05:06 PM	#98
Shock130 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: NoVA Posts: 628	SE vs DE .... What is better? I plan on putting over a 18" deep tank.... __________________ Jason

06/27/2009, 12:47 PM	#99
augustasalty Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Augusta, GA Posts: 80	thanks for all the helpful information

07/19/2009, 12:15 PM	#100
nicks387 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: MA Posts: 96	Does anyone know what the best 400w HQI mogul 20k bulb might be in terms of intensity?