Halide Q & A - Page 5

solitude127 · 07/30/2009, 02:32 PM

What's the difference between magnetic and electronic ballast? which one is better and why? Thanks

solitude127 · 07/30/2009, 02:32 PM

double post

sedor · 08/03/2009, 06:35 AM

Electronic is basically new technology. It is more exact, and it doesn't cause the "humming." Overall, both will work, but if you have a choice between the two I would go with electronic. It seems like everything is starting to switch over to that anyways.

java · 08/11/2009, 05:31 PM

anyone use comercial halides on their tank? i have a couple from worj that im thinking about. they are 200W each and use a M136 bulb, which im not sure i can find in 10k ish

tangtang clown · 08/11/2009, 07:43 PM

I have been contemplating the idea for months because I have the same option of bulbs. I would like to know also.

C-21 USAF · 08/17/2009, 07:42 PM

I've been looking everywhere for a fixture that will hold 2 - 250 MH. I thought I found it finally (Sun Pod 48") but then I seen it runs on a magnetic ballast...!?

Anyone know of a good double 250 MH fixture??...I'm trying to avoid getting a fixture w/supplement (PC or T5) lighting for simplicity and price.

305phins · 08/19/2009, 12:10 PM

i have a 40g breed with a 250w MH 20k my tanks 36x18 and the light is about 2ft off the water is that good for zoas

305phins · 08/20/2009, 08:05 PM

I have a 40g breeder thats 36x18x18, and a 250w 20000k MH how long should I leave the light on a day? I have a couple zoas and a frogspawn.

spw4949 · 08/24/2009, 12:47 PM

Anyone using 250W DE odyssea bulbs? I just got a 2x250watt current outer orbit metal halide fixture & I'm trying to figure out what brand & K rating bulbs to run....anyone have pics that they would care to share of 14K or 20K bulbs? I'm thinking 20K Ushio's but wondering if that will be too blue?

tehfeer · 08/24/2009, 08:35 PM

I purchased a t-5 6 lamp tek light a few months ago. It was working awesome until my tank cracked. I had to replace it asap and the only place in town was pretty limited. Anyways I ended up with a much larger tank. The tank is 48L 24W and 30H. I was thinking 2 250 20k MHs or 2 400s. I am trying to find a decent unit but am having a hard time deciding. I need either 1 unit that has legs or 1-2 units that can hang from the ceiling. Do any of you have any recommendations?

tangtang clown · 08/25/2009, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by spw4949
Anyone using 250W DE odyssea bulbs? I just got a 2x250watt current outer orbit metal halide fixture & I'm trying to figure out what brand & K rating bulbs to run....anyone have pics that they would care to share of 14K or 20K bulbs? I'm thinking 20K Ushio's but wondering if that will be too blue?

I don't have the fixture yet, but I am seriously thinking about getting an Odyssea 72" 2x250 MH, and PC's fixture. I have heard that I will need to change the bulbs and ballast, but when I get it I will up load and post pics here. Are you running an Odyssea light?

tangtang clown · 08/25/2009, 11:42 AM

I am setting up a 125 long 72"x18"x20"

Will this light be Ok?

LIGHT

I was also looking at getting 3 of the 150 HQI/ T-5 fixtures, like this one

spw4949 · 08/25/2009, 12:11 PM

No, I'm running a current outer orbit, I was just wondering about the odyssea MH bulbs....

tangtang clown · 08/25/2009, 06:11 PM

A friend of mine needs lights for his 110 Extra Tall 48x18x31.
Would 2x24" 150watt MHs with T-5s be enough, or would he need 250watt MH's.
Thanks.

spw4949 · 08/26/2009, 08:33 AM

31" deep? Even 250's may not be enough....I'd go with 2x400W

tangtang clown · 08/26/2009, 11:48 AM

I believe the the 110 extra tall is 31" deep.

customdusty · 08/27/2009, 01:51 PM

I just ordered a Giesemann Infiniti 2x150 + 4x54 T5 for a tank with max water depth of 18" at the sand bed.

The tank will be mixed, but SPS dominated - I've been a long time T5 user and I'm just not sure what bulbs to use in which combination.

I want to balance color and growth, but probably lean towards color. I've been considering either Phoenix 14k or Radiums, but I'm not sure what T5's to pair up with them.

In my current T5 fixture I use a Fiji Purple and have used procolor to enhance reds and pinks, so I'm not sure if I can do the same and get good results.

NeilFox · 09/01/2009, 07:51 AM

Hello All

I live in a remote part of the the world so I am greatly limited by distance and logistics. I am going with a 3m x 700mm deep x 1 metre wide tank. I can't afford to ship a full canopy so I must build my own. BTW shipping a Giesemann canopy after customs is nearly 2K US. I am going to use 5 Dynavision pulse start ballastst and I am thinking of a combination of 3 Ushio Aqualites @ 14K along with two Geisemann 12.5k's.. Lamps are light and they are reletively painless to ship, I plan on ordering double. The question I have is regarding reflectors. These are single ended lamps. No plan for supplemental actinic lighting for now, these are also correctly designated for pulse start ballasts. I don't like the idea of overdriving a 400w lamp as there have been some catastrophic failures, furthermore it seems unwise (unless I am missing something) to apply a pulse start electronic ballast to a probe start lamp? Question? What reflectors would you recommend and "Importantly" will they ship overseas?

Any input would be appreciated.

Best Regards to All

Neil

watson_barrett · 09/01/2009, 12:07 PM

22" hieght on large lumen bright to high?
Has anyone done any testing to see when high becomes too high on the large lumen bright reflectors?

I have a mini on my 92 corner right now at about 16" (bulb to water-400w) and have had good success here.

I am constructing my lighting for my new tank and the bulbs are at about 22" from water surface in 3 large reflectors. Wondering if this is getting too high???

65" x 36" tank, i have 3 larges up right now (400w-not running yet) still in construction phase...

jdoenumber2 · 09/04/2009, 08:47 PM

How do you diagnose if a Electronic blueline ballast is bad? Im new to MH lighting. Just want to know if there is such thing as a bulb tnat a Electronic ballast wont light. When i unplug the ballast it flicks the bulb for a split second. I know the bulb is good. It works with a magnetic ballast. Can i sue a multi meter to test ballast?

ReefPug · 09/12/2009, 10:32 AM

I am setting up a 185G - 60"x30"x25". I am looking at using the 250W Radiums for a Mixed Reef with the goal being great color....but I have some LPS that I don't want to overpower. The canopy is divided into 3 sections so I could fit 3 lights or 2 on either end. Would I need Actinic supplementation with this bulb or is it going to be too much with 3?

rguyler · 09/16/2009, 07:21 PM

Tang, will your friend have fish only or will there be corals? My 150 is 30" high and visually my pair of 175W 14k bulbs light it up great. However I only have fish so don't worry about PAR. If there are corals involved then 250W minimum for that height and better yet, go with 400W if you want corals all the way to the bottom.

tangtang clown · 09/17/2009, 04:45 PM

I have a 125 standard 21 deep. I plan fish and corals. I will be starting with LPS and Leathers, then start integrating SPS ( as a first). Do I need 125 or 250 watt fixture>? I plan on going with a 1134watt MH/PC fixture by Odyssea.

My buddy is probably going to start off with VHO from is 75 and then move to MHs after he gets cash. The intial setup on these tanks is pretty tough financially, I am buying mostly used, but I have been taking my time and it is coming right along.
Thanks for the help.

rguyler · 09/18/2009, 08:39 AM

Yeah, I bought a 3-bulb used retrofit MH setup for $100 complete with reflectors (made into DIY Lumenbrites), bases and ballasts. Added a couple of Plusrite 14k bulbs and this setup rocks! There are good deals out there in the used market.

BTW - what's up with your signature??

lordofthereef · 09/19/2009, 01:39 AM

So I have been doing salt for about 3 years now, but never got into the more powerful lighting systems. When I went with my 150, I decided to go with metal halides. Having never dealt with this form of lighting before, I have a few questions.

I want to keep mainly SPS and some clams, but have a small mix of others. I have kept LPS and softies great with PCs, so SPS are the only coral I have no experience with.

My plan was doing something like 250w 400w 250w left to right over the tank, perhaps supplementing with some T5s. Would this be enough? Would I need to add the T5s? My idea with the T5s was to have those pop on maybe two hours before the halides and then turn off maybe two hours after to give a dawn-dusk effect as well as allow me to shorten the time those HOT halides need to be burning throughout the day.

I have and will be doing a lot of reeding on the halide section of the forums. Thanks in advance for your time!

~ Bela

EDIT: The tank is not up yet, but I suppose I should add that with a sand bed, the lowest depth would be something like 22"

07/30/2009, 02:32 PM	#101
solitude127 Proud user of IO Salt! Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Torrance, CA Posts: 9,136	What's the difference between magnetic and electronic ballast? which one is better and why? Thanks __________________ Mike <)))>{ <)))>{ <)))>{ <)))>{ ReefKeeping.com TOTM Nov 2012 Socalireefs Featured Reef Oct 2011 Current Tank Info: 603020, 8x54 ATI Powermodule, ReefBrite XHO, ATB Elegance 200, Aquamaxx CTech CaRx, Ecotech Vortechs, Apex Controls, WM Ecobak powered. RedSea Reefer 170, MP10, Apex Jr, Ecotech Radion XR15, Aquamaxx WS-1

07/30/2009, 02:32 PM	#102
solitude127 Proud user of IO Salt! Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Torrance, CA Posts: 9,136	double post __________________ Mike <)))>{ <)))>{ <)))>{ <)))>{ ReefKeeping.com TOTM Nov 2012 Socalireefs Featured Reef Oct 2011 Current Tank Info: 603020, 8x54 ATI Powermodule, ReefBrite XHO, ATB Elegance 200, Aquamaxx CTech CaRx, Ecotech Vortechs, Apex Controls, WM Ecobak powered. RedSea Reefer 170, MP10, Apex Jr, Ecotech Radion XR15, Aquamaxx WS-1

08/03/2009, 06:35 AM	#103
sedor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 4,689	Electronic is basically new technology. It is more exact, and it doesn't cause the "humming." Overall, both will work, but if you have a choice between the two I would go with electronic. It seems like everything is starting to switch over to that anyways. __________________ Ryan

08/11/2009, 07:43 PM	#105
tangtang clown Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: The DUB, NC Posts: 2,711	I have been contemplating the idea for months because I have the same option of bulbs. I would like to know also. __________________ Mind over chatter.

08/20/2009, 08:05 PM	#108
305phins Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: MIAMI Posts: 179	How long to leave the light on? I have a 40g breeder thats 36x18x18, and a 250w 20000k MH how long should I leave the light on a day? I have a couple zoas and a frogspawn.

08/11/2009, 05:31 PM	#104
java Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 325	anyone use comercial halides on their tank? i have a couple from worj that im thinking about. they are 200W each and use a M136 bulb, which im not sure i can find in 10k ish

08/17/2009, 07:42 PM	#106
C-21 USAF Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 316	I've been looking everywhere for a fixture that will hold 2 - 250 MH. I thought I found it finally (Sun Pod 48") but then I seen it runs on a magnetic ballast...!? Anyone know of a good double 250 MH fixture??...I'm trying to avoid getting a fixture w/supplement (PC or T5) lighting for simplicity and price.

08/19/2009, 12:10 PM	#107
305phins Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: MIAMI Posts: 179	i have a 40g breed with a 250w MH 20k my tanks 36x18 and the light is about 2ft off the water is that good for zoas

08/24/2009, 12:47 PM	#109
spw4949 Registered Member. Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Albany, N.Y. Posts: 1,594	Anyone using 250W DE odyssea bulbs? I just got a 2x250watt current outer orbit metal halide fixture & I'm trying to figure out what brand & K rating bulbs to run....anyone have pics that they would care to share of 14K or 20K bulbs? I'm thinking 20K Ushio's but wondering if that will be too blue? __________________ Steve Current Tank Info: 46 gal bowfront, mixed reef, 2x250W current outer orbit w/4x39W T5 ,10 gal fuge....38 gallon aggressive FOWLR, 10 gallon sump.

08/24/2009, 08:35 PM	#110
tehfeer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Missoula MT Posts: 35	I purchased a t-5 6 lamp tek light a few months ago. It was working awesome until my tank cracked. I had to replace it asap and the only place in town was pretty limited. Anyways I ended up with a much larger tank. The tank is 48L 24W and 30H. I was thinking 2 250 20k MHs or 2 400s. I am trying to find a decent unit but am having a hard time deciding. I need either 1 unit that has legs or 1-2 units that can hang from the ceiling. Do any of you have any recommendations?

08/25/2009, 11:42 AM	#112
tangtang clown Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: The DUB, NC Posts: 2,711	Light for 125 I am setting up a 125 long 72"x18"x20" Will this light be Ok? LIGHT I was also looking at getting 3 of the 150 HQI/ T-5 fixtures, like this one __________________ Mind over chatter.

08/25/2009, 12:11 PM	#113
spw4949 Registered Member. Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Albany, N.Y. Posts: 1,594	No, I'm running a current outer orbit, I was just wondering about the odyssea MH bulbs.... __________________ Steve Current Tank Info: 46 gal bowfront, mixed reef, 2x250W current outer orbit w/4x39W T5 ,10 gal fuge....38 gallon aggressive FOWLR, 10 gallon sump.

08/25/2009, 06:11 PM	#114
tangtang clown Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: The DUB, NC Posts: 2,711	A friend of mine needs lights for his 110 Extra Tall 48x18x31. Would 2x24" 150watt MHs with T-5s be enough, or would he need 250watt MH's. Thanks. __________________ Mind over chatter.

08/26/2009, 08:33 AM	#115
spw4949 Registered Member. Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Albany, N.Y. Posts: 1,594	31" deep? Even 250's may not be enough....I'd go with 2x400W __________________ Steve Current Tank Info: 46 gal bowfront, mixed reef, 2x250W current outer orbit w/4x39W T5 ,10 gal fuge....38 gallon aggressive FOWLR, 10 gallon sump.

08/26/2009, 11:48 AM	#116
tangtang clown Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: The DUB, NC Posts: 2,711	I believe the the 110 extra tall is 31" deep. __________________ Mind over chatter.

08/27/2009, 01:51 PM	#117
customdusty Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Geneva, IL Posts: 1,095	I just ordered a Giesemann Infiniti 2x150 + 4x54 T5 for a tank with max water depth of 18" at the sand bed. The tank will be mixed, but SPS dominated - I've been a long time T5 user and I'm just not sure what bulbs to use in which combination. I want to balance color and growth, but probably lean towards color. I've been considering either Phoenix 14k or Radiums, but I'm not sure what T5's to pair up with them. In my current T5 fixture I use a Fiji Purple and have used procolor to enhance reds and pinks, so I'm not sure if I can do the same and get good results. __________________ "I know the human being and fish can coexist peacefully." --George W. Bush, Saginaw, Mich., Sept. 29, 2000 Current Tank Info: 105g Mixed Rimless Starphire by Miracles - Reefthreads.com "Noteworthy Tank" November 19, 2010 Podcast #13 - Sfiligoi Stealth 12x39 T5 - 2x Vortech MP40W - BK/Vertex Alpha Cone 200 - Neptue Apex - 2 Part - Tunze ATO - BRS 5 Stage RO/DI

09/01/2009, 07:51 AM	#118
NeilFox Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: DuPont, WA Posts: 947	Hello All I live in a remote part of the the world so I am greatly limited by distance and logistics. I am going with a 3m x 700mm deep x 1 metre wide tank. I can't afford to ship a full canopy so I must build my own. BTW shipping a Giesemann canopy after customs is nearly 2K US. I am going to use 5 Dynavision pulse start ballastst and I am thinking of a combination of 3 Ushio Aqualites @ 14K along with two Geisemann 12.5k's.. Lamps are light and they are reletively painless to ship, I plan on ordering double. The question I have is regarding reflectors. These are single ended lamps. No plan for supplemental actinic lighting for now, these are also correctly designated for pulse start ballasts. I don't like the idea of overdriving a 400w lamp as there have been some catastrophic failures, furthermore it seems unwise (unless I am missing something) to apply a pulse start electronic ballast to a probe start lamp? Question? What reflectors would you recommend and "Importantly" will they ship overseas? Any input would be appreciated. Best Regards to All Neil __________________ Even a Blind Squirrel finds a Nut now and then. Current Tank Info: 6.25 gal Nano, 40 gal SPS

09/01/2009, 12:07 PM	#119
watson_barrett Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Waldorf, MD Posts: 283	22" hieght on large lumen bright to high? 22" hieght on large lumen bright to high? Has anyone done any testing to see when high becomes too high on the large lumen bright reflectors? I have a mini on my 92 corner right now at about 16" (bulb to water-400w) and have had good success here. I am constructing my lighting for my new tank and the bulbs are at about 22" from water surface in 3 large reflectors. Wondering if this is getting too high??? 65" x 36" tank, i have 3 larges up right now (400w-not running yet) still in construction phase...

09/04/2009, 08:47 PM	#120
jdoenumber2 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Fairport, NY Posts: 2,093	How do you diagnose if a Electronic blueline ballast is bad? Im new to MH lighting. Just want to know if there is such thing as a bulb tnat a Electronic ballast wont light. When i unplug the ballast it flicks the bulb for a split second. I know the bulb is good. It works with a magnetic ballast. Can i sue a multi meter to test ballast?

09/12/2009, 10:32 AM	#121
ReefPug Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 127	I am setting up a 185G - 60"x30"x25". I am looking at using the 250W Radiums for a Mixed Reef with the goal being great color....but I have some LPS that I don't want to overpower. The canopy is divided into 3 sections so I could fit 3 lights or 2 on either end. Would I need Actinic supplementation with this bulb or is it going to be too much with 3? __________________ Marcy

09/16/2009, 07:21 PM	#122
rguyler Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Dayton, OH Posts: 606	Tang, will your friend have fish only or will there be corals? My 150 is 30" high and visually my pair of 175W 14k bulbs light it up great. However I only have fish so don't worry about PAR. If there are corals involved then 250W minimum for that height and better yet, go with 400W if you want corals all the way to the bottom. __________________ -- Rik Current Tank Info: 120G Reef - AI Hydra 26HD lighting, AquaC Skimmer, Reeflo Blackfin Pump, Gyre XF250 Dual Pumps, Aqua Medic Dosing Alk/Ca/Mg & Vinegar, HydroFill Ti ATO, Basement Sump w/Refugium and Kessil 160 Blue Lights

09/17/2009, 04:45 PM	#123
tangtang clown Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: The DUB, NC Posts: 2,711	I have a 125 standard 21 deep. I plan fish and corals. I will be starting with LPS and Leathers, then start integrating SPS ( as a first). Do I need 125 or 250 watt fixture>? I plan on going with a 1134watt MH/PC fixture by Odyssea. My buddy is probably going to start off with VHO from is 75 and then move to MHs after he gets cash. The intial setup on these tanks is pretty tough financially, I am buying mostly used, but I have been taking my time and it is coming right along. Thanks for the help. __________________ Mind over chatter.

09/18/2009, 08:39 AM	#124
rguyler Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Dayton, OH Posts: 606	Yeah, I bought a 3-bulb used retrofit MH setup for $100 complete with reflectors (made into DIY Lumenbrites), bases and ballasts. Added a couple of Plusrite 14k bulbs and this setup rocks! There are good deals out there in the used market. BTW - what's up with your signature?? __________________ -- Rik Current Tank Info: 120G Reef - AI Hydra 26HD lighting, AquaC Skimmer, Reeflo Blackfin Pump, Gyre XF250 Dual Pumps, Aqua Medic Dosing Alk/Ca/Mg & Vinegar, HydroFill Ti ATO, Basement Sump w/Refugium and Kessil 160 Blue Lights

09/19/2009, 01:39 AM	#125
lordofthereef One reef to rule them all Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Leominster, MA Posts: 5,299	24" deep 150g tank MH questions So I have been doing salt for about 3 years now, but never got into the more powerful lighting systems. When I went with my 150, I decided to go with metal halides. Having never dealt with this form of lighting before, I have a few questions. I want to keep mainly SPS and some clams, but have a small mix of others. I have kept LPS and softies great with PCs, so SPS are the only coral I have no experience with. My plan was doing something like 250w 400w 250w left to right over the tank, perhaps supplementing with some T5s. Would this be enough? Would I need to add the T5s? My idea with the T5s was to have those pop on maybe two hours before the halides and then turn off maybe two hours after to give a dawn-dusk effect as well as allow me to shorten the time those HOT halides need to be burning throughout the day. I have and will be doing a lot of reeding on the halide section of the forums. Thanks in advance for your time! ~ Bela EDIT: The tank is not up yet, but I suppose I should add that with a sand bed, the lowest depth would be something like 22"