Halide Q & A - Page 8

Tony Romano · 11/09/2009, 12:47 PM

I don't think there is a 400W DE bulb on market. You have no hood or top currently?

spslove · 11/09/2009, 02:26 PM

Nope I don't have any type of top. The tank is rimless, so I want the lighting atleast 1foot above water. Ya my best bet is retroing some kinda lighting fixture, prob is its hard to make it look good. Sucks geisemann and all those other companys don't do anything w/ 400w halides. I really didn't want to do it all custom, I feel its Going to be more expensive and less quality, then say a geisemann fixture, or if I Hung 3 250w elos mh. What do you think?

myzislow · 11/09/2009, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spslove

I'm currently setting up a rimless 220g 5' by 3' by 2' height. I wanted to go with a 2 400w 20k metal halide setup.

Iv noticed most nice fixtures dont go above 250w halides. While 400w halides are stand alone fixtures. They are also bulky and and non pleasing aesthetically unless in a retrofit hood. My furniture and tank is real clean and modern looking so i wanted the lighting to match.

Are there any good looking fixtures that use 400s?

sounds like you need a giesemann spectra ($$$$) or sfiligoi xr6($$$$) fixture.

spslove · 11/09/2009, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myzislow

sounds like you need a giesemann spectra ($$$$) or sfiligoi xr6($$$$) fixture.

your saving my life here, thats exactly what i'm looking for. im liking those.

dustinc · 11/12/2009, 10:54 PM

I have a 20" cube Solana and am currently using a 14k Phoenix bulb. I'm really wanting my colors to pop more. Most things have great color, but my pink birdsnest has never been pink. I've been looking at switching to the 20k Ushio, but I don't want to lose a lot of par... What is a good bulb with both par and still give me a more blue look...

Tony Romano · 11/13/2009, 05:55 PM

I suspect that maybe best way to go. What are your NO3 and PO4 levels?

Kinetic · 11/17/2009, 12:00 AM

I just tried to setup my new Giesemann Infinity, and the T5's fired up great, but now the halides won't at all. The ballasts don't even buzz. I tried reseating the hqi lamps over and over, and pushed as hard as I could, but I think they're all the way down. The spring contacts on the lamps look solid too.

The ballasts are confusing me, as there's two, and they don't buzz, and they power the T5's somehow.

Here's some pictures, let me know if I'm doing something wrong?

Zach.Attack6 · 11/17/2009, 02:56 PM

Just wanted to know if any of you halide guys have, seen the thread with, picture comparisons between diffent k bulbs and their ballasts and if you have can I have a link

broberts · 11/17/2009, 06:56 PM

Does anyone know anything about the pulsrite bulbs, Are they any good?

Tony Romano · 11/17/2009, 09:03 PM

[QUOTE=Kinetic;16035502]I just tried to setup my new Giesemann Infinity, and the T5's fired up great, but now the halides won't at all. The ballasts don't even buzz. I tried reseating the hqi lamps over and over, and pushed as hard as I could, but I think they're all the way down. The spring contacts on the lamps look solid too.

Get it to work? I bet it is a controller type issue, Euro stuff tends to be very high quality, but can be tricky to use.

There is not much to socket, just make sure there is metal to metal. Sometimes new bulbs can fire very slow, are you getting a flicker?

Tony Romano · 11/17/2009, 09:05 PM

Coralvue or reef specialty have PICS of different K bulbs over same tank. I am not aware of comprehensive list accross brands.

Kinetic · 11/17/2009, 09:30 PM

[QUOTE=Tony Romano;16040976]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kinetic

I just tried to setup my new Giesemann Infinity, and the T5's fired up great, but now the halides won't at all. The ballasts don't even buzz. I tried reseating the hqi lamps over and over, and pushed as hard as I could, but I think they're all the way down. The spring contacts on the lamps look solid too.

Get it to work? I bet it is a controller type issue, Euro stuff tends to be very high quality, but can be tricky to use.

There is not much to socket, just make sure there is metal to metal. Sometimes new bulbs can fire very slow, are you getting a flicker?

I haven't gotten it to work, tried for another 2 hours today, reseated the bulbs like 5 times, giving plenty of time in between just in case. I tried a brand new phoenix 14K HQI 250watt as well, that didn't either.

No flickering, nothing at all. Ballasts don't get warm at all, no buzz.

This is interesting though:
I looked inside the fixture with a flashlight in one end, I could see two blue lines going to the right side of the fixture behind the right pair of T5 reflectors, but then there's blue lines on the left pair of T5's that go out to the chords. It looks almost certain that the cables are going to the wrong side, and the wiring is backwards.

Lines going from halides to the right:

Lines going out of the fixture, notice the right side has no blue lines, left has two

Closer shot of the left side getting two blues. I didn't see anywhere else where the blues were coming from:

tangtang clown · 11/18/2009, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by broberts

Does anyone know anything about the pulsrite bulbs, Are they any good?

I ordered 5 150watt 20k bulbs for a friend and myself. I really like to Plusrite so far. Here is a link to pics I took when they were delivered. The pics of the tank are with the Odyssea T5s on also, which I don't care the their blue color. I actually like the color of the plusrites without the T5s on. Does anyone know where to get 15" T5s?

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...688567&page=12

I can take some pics of just the 20k plusrites if you would like. IMHO, not a bad deal for $20 shipped, but these are my first MH fixtures.

Kinetic · 11/20/2009, 03:43 AM

With this setup:
2x 250watt DE Giesemann 13K MegaChrome Marine
2x 54watt T5 Giesemann Actinic Plus
2x 54watt T5 Giesemann Aqua Blue

What do you think about this lighting schedule?

T5 - 9 hours, 8 hours each, 7 hours overlap
MH - 5 hours, 4 hours each, 2 hours overlap

Is that enough light?

aaron1987 · 11/30/2009, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dustinc

I have a 20" cube Solana and am currently using a 14k Phoenix bulb. I'm really wanting my colors to pop more. Most things have great color, but my pink birdsnest has never been pink. I've been looking at switching to the 20k Ushio, but I don't want to lose a lot of par... What is a good bulb with both par and still give me a more blue look...

I'd love to hear an answer to this, too. I'm using a 250w bulb.

tangtang clown · 11/30/2009, 03:53 PM

Anyone know where I can get a 150w HQI ballast?

phobos2deimos · 11/30/2009, 04:07 PM

I'm thinking about putting a 400w MH 14k on my 8' long 240. 24" deep, mixed reef.
I'd like to put just one on a light track with a lumenmax or lumenbright reflector.
What do y'all think?

LifeAquatic · 12/04/2009, 04:23 PM

10k bulb equals rapid coral growth. Not the best looking to the human eye tho.
20K bulb equals good coral coloration. Is not the best for coral growth. Light looks more blue to the human eye.
14 K bulb is right in the middle. You get decent coral growth and decent coral color.

I use a 14k light and some of my sps have doubled in size over 6 months. Yes, Doubled! All but one of my acros doesnt have good color. But I bought it at discount praying it would change. 3 weeks later and its starting to get color back.

LifeAquatic · 12/04/2009, 04:24 PM

oops.... 250w 14k HQI. Also, I use PC antinic. Not t5

ravi_737 · 12/05/2009, 02:00 PM

Whats the best wattage lamp for a 36"x36"x20" cube rimless tank.
I am looking for a bright light tank and am planning to go for 250w 14k geismann
MH lamp. Please advise if this is a good way to go.

f1shb0y · 12/05/2009, 03:48 PM

are the hqi clamp lamps any good? i was planning on getting this one:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...m?pcatid=15489

phobos2deimos · 12/07/2009, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ravi_737

Whats the best wattage lamp for a 36"x36"x20" cube rimless tank.
I am looking for a bright light tank and am planning to go for 250w 14k geismann
MH lamp. Please advise if this is a good way to go.

That should be great for a 20" high tank. I'm not sure that it will cover a 36" footprint so well.
You could go with a lumenmax reflector and raise it up higher, but you may need to go to 400w.

Felixc395 · 12/08/2009, 10:42 PM

Hi. I have had a 37 gallon reef tank with zoanthids and soft corals for about a year and a half now. I currently have a light that is a power compact system. I have one 65 watt 420nm actinic light and one 65 watt 10k daylight bulb. The coral growth has been very slow and I would like to get LPS and SPS corals, as well as clams. So I looked at metal halide fixtures, but unfortunately I have odd dimensions. The tank is 30''tall, 12'' wide, and 17'' tall. I couldn't find any fixtures that are 30'' long beside pendants. I have a canopy I would like to keep on, so pendants wouldn't work for me. Could I mount a fixture into the top of my canopy? I'm confused. What should I do?

austin93 · 12/17/2009, 09:41 PM

Stupid question. I was wondering if the new halides (250 Blue Wave 7 w/ radiums) would normally make a kind of burning smell for the first few days. Its actually only been a day, but I can smell them. Wired correctly and I see no other issues other than new bulbs and new reflectors. Thanks, wife is worried.

KirbyL · 12/25/2009, 08:19 PM

what happens if you use a 4200k bulb for 150 hqi? Will par go down or is it just ugly but use able.

11/09/2009, 12:47 PM	#176
Tony Romano Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Sugar Land Texas Posts: 874	I don't think there is a 400W DE bulb on market. You have no hood or top currently? __________________ Tony Romano Why don't I have any money? Current Tank Info: 215 & 90 mixed tanks

11/12/2009, 10:54 PM	#180
dustinc Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Waxahachie, TX Posts: 1,096	I have a 20" cube Solana and am currently using a 14k Phoenix bulb. I'm really wanting my colors to pop more. Most things have great color, but my pink birdsnest has never been pink. I've been looking at switching to the 20k Ushio, but I don't want to lose a lot of par... What is a good bulb with both par and still give me a more blue look... __________________ You might be too strong to surrender boy, but you're far too frail to fight! Current Tank Info: 120 Planet

11/13/2009, 05:55 PM	#181
Tony Romano Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Sugar Land Texas Posts: 874	I suspect that maybe best way to go. What are your NO3 and PO4 levels? __________________ Tony Romano Why don't I have any money? Current Tank Info: 215 & 90 mixed tanks

11/17/2009, 09:03 PM	#185
Tony Romano Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Sugar Land Texas Posts: 874	[QUOTE=Kinetic;16035502]I just tried to setup my new Giesemann Infinity, and the T5's fired up great, but now the halides won't at all. The ballasts don't even buzz. I tried reseating the hqi lamps over and over, and pushed as hard as I could, but I think they're all the way down. The spring contacts on the lamps look solid too. Get it to work? I bet it is a controller type issue, Euro stuff tends to be very high quality, but can be tricky to use. There is not much to socket, just make sure there is metal to metal. Sometimes new bulbs can fire very slow, are you getting a flicker? __________________ Tony Romano Why don't I have any money? Current Tank Info: 215 & 90 mixed tanks

11/17/2009, 09:05 PM	#186
Tony Romano Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Sugar Land Texas Posts: 874	Coralvue or reef specialty have PICS of different K bulbs over same tank. I am not aware of comprehensive list accross brands. __________________ Tony Romano Why don't I have any money? Current Tank Info: 215 & 90 mixed tanks

11/09/2009, 02:26 PM	#177
spslove Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: los angeles Posts: 93	Nope I don't have any type of top. The tank is rimless, so I want the lighting atleast 1foot above water. Ya my best bet is retroing some kinda lighting fixture, prob is its hard to make it look good. Sucks geisemann and all those other companys don't do anything w/ 400w halides. I really didn't want to do it all custom, I feel its Going to be more expensive and less quality, then say a geisemann fixture, or if I Hung 3 250w elos mh. What do you think?

11/17/2009, 12:00 AM	#182
Kinetic Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 7,230	I just tried to setup my new Giesemann Infinity, and the T5's fired up great, but now the halides won't at all. The ballasts don't even buzz. I tried reseating the hqi lamps over and over, and pushed as hard as I could, but I think they're all the way down. The spring contacts on the lamps look solid too. The ballasts are confusing me, as there's two, and they don't buzz, and they power the T5's somehow. Here's some pictures, let me know if I'm doing something wrong?

11/17/2009, 02:56 PM	#183
Zach.Attack6 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 196	Just wanted to know if any of you halide guys have, seen the thread with, picture comparisons between diffent k bulbs and their ballasts and if you have can I have a link

11/17/2009, 06:56 PM	#184
broberts Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 60	Does anyone know anything about the pulsrite bulbs, Are they any good?

11/20/2009, 03:43 AM	#189
Kinetic Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 7,230	With this setup: 2x 250watt DE Giesemann 13K MegaChrome Marine 2x 54watt T5 Giesemann Actinic Plus 2x 54watt T5 Giesemann Aqua Blue What do you think about this lighting schedule? T5 - 9 hours, 8 hours each, 7 hours overlap MH - 5 hours, 4 hours each, 2 hours overlap Is that enough light?

11/30/2009, 03:53 PM	#191
tangtang clown Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: The DUB, NC Posts: 2,711	Anyone know where I can get a 150w HQI ballast? __________________ Mind over chatter.

11/30/2009, 04:07 PM	#192
phobos2deimos Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 351	I'm thinking about putting a 400w MH 14k on my 8' long 240. 24" deep, mixed reef. I'd like to put just one on a light track with a lumenmax or lumenbright reflector. What do y'all think?

12/04/2009, 04:23 PM	#193
LifeAquatic Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 922	10k bulb equals rapid coral growth. Not the best looking to the human eye tho. 20K bulb equals good coral coloration. Is not the best for coral growth. Light looks more blue to the human eye. 14 K bulb is right in the middle. You get decent coral growth and decent coral color. I use a 14k light and some of my sps have doubled in size over 6 months. Yes, Doubled! All but one of my acros doesnt have good color. But I bought it at discount praying it would change. 3 weeks later and its starting to get color back.

12/04/2009, 04:24 PM	#194
LifeAquatic Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 922	oops.... 250w 14k HQI. Also, I use PC antinic. Not t5

12/05/2009, 02:00 PM	#195
ravi_737 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: india Posts: 5	Whats the best wattage lamp for a 36"x36"x20" cube rimless tank. I am looking for a bright light tank and am planning to go for 250w 14k geismann MH lamp. Please advise if this is a good way to go.

12/05/2009, 03:48 PM	#196
f1shb0y Moved On Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Alabama Posts: 111	are the hqi clamp lamps any good? i was planning on getting this one: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...m?pcatid=15489

12/08/2009, 10:42 PM	#198
Felixc395 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 1,612	Hi. I have had a 37 gallon reef tank with zoanthids and soft corals for about a year and a half now. I currently have a light that is a power compact system. I have one 65 watt 420nm actinic light and one 65 watt 10k daylight bulb. The coral growth has been very slow and I would like to get LPS and SPS corals, as well as clams. So I looked at metal halide fixtures, but unfortunately I have odd dimensions. The tank is 30''tall, 12'' wide, and 17'' tall. I couldn't find any fixtures that are 30'' long beside pendants. I have a canopy I would like to keep on, so pendants wouldn't work for me. Could I mount a fixture into the top of my canopy? I'm confused. What should I do?

12/17/2009, 09:41 PM	#199
austin93 Don't Panic! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Trenton, MO Posts: 757	Stupid question. I was wondering if the new halides (250 Blue Wave 7 w/ radiums) would normally make a kind of burning smell for the first few days. Its actually only been a day, but I can smell them. Wired correctly and I see no other issues other than new bulbs and new reflectors. Thanks, wife is worried. __________________ DON'T PANIC! Current Tank Info: 30 Rimless

12/25/2009, 08:19 PM	#200
KirbyL Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Queens,Ny Posts: 11	what happens if you use a 4200k bulb for 150 hqi? Will par go down or is it just ugly but use able.