First time Halide buyer - Need advice.

Reef This · 07/06/2007, 11:17 AM

I'm ready to upgrade to halide lighting since I'm moving from a 55G to a 75G. I have the 4x54 Tek 5 fixture right now, and I'm positive that won't be enough should I decide to end up keeping SPS in the tank.

I was really looking at the Current USA Outer Orbit, since it was the whole package. I was also looking at a PFO Acrolight 2x150. I was looking at the Current USA light because the tank will be sitting in the middle of the room in my basement that was just finished. I really don't have anywhere to put the ballasts.

I really don't want to spend more then 700 on a halide setup, but I really don't know of any other options for halide lighting.

I would appreciate any advice, as I'm currently torn on what to do!

-- Joe

aiv · 07/06/2007, 11:25 AM

I was thinking about upgrading to MH too. Have you checked ebay? they have some good deals right now. I think they have the coralife aqualight pro, 2x150 mh with pc lights for around $550 bucks. I think they look the best out of all the fixtures, very sleek looking.

Reefbox · 07/06/2007, 11:38 AM

I've been planning on new MH system 4 my 125 I just got setup.

I have been looking at the light kits and i dont c anything i want because i want the best/most efficient lighting possible so it looks like im either buying a retrofit kit or putting something together myself, unless i find what i want.

I know i definetely want:

Luminarc reflectors...a good reflector makes a big difference.
Iceap ballasts
LED moon lights
prob. some T-5's in their for actinics.

jda · 07/06/2007, 12:03 PM

Check the for sale forum on here for some used ones, but factor in cost for new bulbs if the used ones are getting old. IMO AB and Gisemann fixtures are the best for HQI. If you do HQI, then get HQI ballasts and not MH ballasts - HQI is different than MH. Always use the pendant glass on HQI.

Reefbox · 07/06/2007, 12:19 PM

What is better HQI or MH or no real big difference?

Thanks

Justin James · 07/06/2007, 12:19 PM

I suggest building a nice canopy and putting a couple luminarc lll mini reflectors in it. They are unmatched.

Reef This · 07/06/2007, 12:59 PM

I don't have the know how or resources to build my own. That's why I was looking into an already manufactured fixture.

The more I think about it, the more I am just considering ordering the Current USA setup.

If I bought pendants, what K bulb would I need with no actinic supplementation?

aiv · 07/06/2007, 01:00 PM

I'm also curious about the difference between HQI and MH. Is there a difference?

jthao · 07/06/2007, 01:22 PM

I think that the current usa set up is pretty nice for the price. I like the whole mh, actinic, and moonlight all into one. also it looks nice on top of the tank. I would do a retro fit/build your own if you had a canopy, but if you don't then the all in one units are nice. You might wanna check out the gisemann set up, I've heard they're very nice and a lot of features too.

ahullsb · 07/06/2007, 02:57 PM

I love my outer orbit lights. I have the 48 inch with t5's on my 55. Here is what it will look like if you choose to buy it. I am going to switch to 14k's soon but the 10k's out of the box have given a LOT of growth to my corals! Buy it, you won't be disappointed! And the 150's should be plenty for a 75 IMO.

White moonlights

blue moonlights (overexposed...)

Both moonlights

Actinics

All of them

07/06/2007, 11:17 AM	#1
Reef This Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 368	First time Halide buyer - Need advice. I'm ready to upgrade to halide lighting since I'm moving from a 55G to a 75G. I have the 4x54 Tek 5 fixture right now, and I'm positive that won't be enough should I decide to end up keeping SPS in the tank. I was really looking at the Current USA Outer Orbit, since it was the whole package. I was also looking at a PFO Acrolight 2x150. I was looking at the Current USA light because the tank will be sitting in the middle of the room in my basement that was just finished. I really don't have anywhere to put the ballasts. I really don't want to spend more then 700 on a halide setup, but I really don't know of any other options for halide lighting. I would appreciate any advice, as I'm currently torn on what to do! -- Joe __________________ Reefer Down!

07/06/2007, 12:59 PM	#7
Reef This Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 368	I don't have the know how or resources to build my own. That's why I was looking into an already manufactured fixture. The more I think about it, the more I am just considering ordering the Current USA setup. If I bought pendants, what K bulb would I need with no actinic supplementation? __________________ Reefer Down!

07/06/2007, 01:22 PM	#9
jthao Super Saiyan Join Date: May 2007 Location: NorCal Posts: 2,522	I think that the current usa set up is pretty nice for the price. I like the whole mh, actinic, and moonlight all into one. also it looks nice on top of the tank. I would do a retro fit/build your own if you had a canopy, but if you don't then the all in one units are nice. You might wanna check out the gisemann set up, I've heard they're very nice and a lot of features too. __________________ Elos 160xl \| Profilux 3.1Nex ultimate \| BK DC200 \| (5)Mitras 6200s \|(4) Vortech MP40QD \| 3155 ATO \| Schuran CaRx \| Carbon-Doser \| Red Dragon return \| 500G Starphire FOWLR \| BK SM200 \| (6) Tunze 6105

07/06/2007, 02:57 PM	#10
ahullsb Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: sacramento, ca Posts: 2,729	I love my outer orbit lights. I have the 48 inch with t5's on my 55. Here is what it will look like if you choose to buy it. I am going to switch to 14k's soon but the 10k's out of the box have given a LOT of growth to my corals! Buy it, you won't be disappointed! And the 150's should be plenty for a 75 IMO. White moonlights blue moonlights (overexposed...) Both moonlights Actinics All of them __________________ Andy Sacramento, CA Current Tank Info: 55 gallon reef w/20 gallon sump/ER135/ 75 pounds of live rock, 4 in sandbed, 2 b&w ocellaris clowns, yellow watchman/pistol, rosy scaled wrasse, Mystery wrasse, Copperbanded Butterfly, Lighting 48" outer orbit 2 150 mh/ 4 t5 actinics

07/06/2007, 11:25 AM	#2
aiv Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 55	I was thinking about upgrading to MH too. Have you checked ebay? they have some good deals right now. I think they have the coralife aqualight pro, 2x150 mh with pc lights for around $550 bucks. I think they look the best out of all the fixtures, very sleek looking.

07/06/2007, 11:38 AM	#3
Reefbox Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Butler, PA Posts: 1,045	I've been planning on new MH system 4 my 125 I just got setup. I have been looking at the light kits and i dont c anything i want because i want the best/most efficient lighting possible so it looks like im either buying a retrofit kit or putting something together myself, unless i find what i want. I know i definetely want: Luminarc reflectors...a good reflector makes a big difference. Iceap ballasts LED moon lights prob. some T-5's in their for actinics.

07/06/2007, 12:03 PM	#4
jda Dogmatic Dinosaur Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 6,256	Check the for sale forum on here for some used ones, but factor in cost for new bulbs if the used ones are getting old. IMO AB and Gisemann fixtures are the best for HQI. If you do HQI, then get HQI ballasts and not MH ballasts - HQI is different than MH. Always use the pendant glass on HQI.

07/06/2007, 12:19 PM	#5
Reefbox Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Butler, PA Posts: 1,045	What is better HQI or MH or no real big difference? Thanks

07/06/2007, 12:19 PM	#6
Justin James Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: NS, Canada Posts: 510	I suggest building a nice canopy and putting a couple luminarc lll mini reflectors in it. They are unmatched.

07/06/2007, 01:00 PM	#8
aiv Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 55	I'm also curious about the difference between HQI and MH. Is there a difference?