Halide help please

Mekanic · 08/08/2011, 09:33 AM

I have a coralife aqualight pro that needs new ballasts and CF bulbs (MH bulbs soon as well), it's the 2x150 2x96.

So I'm looking at $220 for ballasts, then $100 for bulbs, so roughly $320.

I've been looking at the Odyssea Adv Plus unit with the new ballasts that put out the rated 250 watts.

It would be 2x250 and 4x54T5, price on it is $260.

But my main dilemma is if 2x250MH is going to be too much for my tank, it's 23" deep, ging to do a mixed reef with mostly LPS and softies, but some SPS as well.

So do I spend $320 to get the Aqualight running again, or $260 for the new fixture?

If I can get replacement ballasts from Coralife then I would be looking at just the $100 to replace the CF, but even then I'm not sure if it's worth it to do vs the new fixture.

Thanks in advance.

~Rich

James77 · 08/08/2011, 10:29 AM

Even if their ballast will now put out the full 25o watts, they are still low quality. I would spend the money on the new, higher end ballasts.

Mekanic · 08/08/2011, 10:48 AM

Thanks Jim. Also, the place I was looking at for replacement ballasts had the wrong price listed. The actual price on them is $165 each, I'll update the first post accordingly.

Alright, guess I can't edit so I'll just do it here heh.

$330 for new ballasts, $100 for new CF bulbs. So $430 to get the aqualight running, and it will need new MH bulbs soon (add $140 for some phoenix 14's) so when I replace the MH I'll be at $570 in the Aqualight.

James77 · 08/08/2011, 12:53 PM

Check out HelloLights....they have 150w ARO - very good- electronic ballasts for $100, and 96w CFL tubes for $30-$45. They don't kill you with shipping, and a very well known, reputable company.

That should be $198 for new ballasts, and ,maybe $80 for new CFL....$278, about $150 less if you went with them.

Mekanic · 08/08/2011, 12:56 PM

I've looked at the ARO Ballasts, but was curious if the electronic would drive the HQI

Mekanic · 08/08/2011, 01:08 PM

Just went on hellolights, added 2x reelfex cube magnetic ballasts, 2x 96w super actinics, and 2x phoenix 14k's to the cart, total of $407.70 plus shipping

James77 · 08/08/2011, 01:58 PM

Electronics will run any bulb.....but not neccesarily to full power. IE a bulb like 250w Radium is underdriven by 250w electronic ballasts, since it needs to be run at a higher wattage.

Try AquaCave as well....they have all the same things, and it comes to ~$340 when I do it. Use RC5 as a coupon code for 5% off, and shipping is free. My estimate might be off, not sure exactly what type ( square or straight pin) CFL you need.

I would give AquaCave a call to be sure they are in stock or can still get the reeflex cubes. They are a great comapny, but can come up a little short in having an accurate inventory. I have dealt with them dozens of times though.

Mekanic · 08/08/2011, 03:06 PM

Great info, thank you!

08/08/2011, 09:33 AM	#1
Mekanic Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Hudson, FL Posts: 891	Halide help please I have a coralife aqualight pro that needs new ballasts and CF bulbs (MH bulbs soon as well), it's the 2x150 2x96. So I'm looking at $220 for ballasts, then $100 for bulbs, so roughly $320. I've been looking at the Odyssea Adv Plus unit with the new ballasts that put out the rated 250 watts. It would be 2x250 and 4x54T5, price on it is $260. But my main dilemma is if 2x250MH is going to be too much for my tank, it's 23" deep, ging to do a mixed reef with mostly LPS and softies, but some SPS as well. So do I spend $320 to get the Aqualight running again, or $260 for the new fixture? If I can get replacement ballasts from Coralife then I would be looking at just the $100 to replace the CF, but even then I'm not sure if it's worth it to do vs the new fixture. Thanks in advance. ~Rich __________________ ~Rich&Cheryl Current Tank Info: 90g corner drilled, 30g sump/fuge, Mag 9.5 return, SWC 160 cone, 2x Lumenmax 2's, 250w Radiums, BlueWave 7

08/08/2011, 10:29 AM	#2
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	Even if their ballast will now put out the full 25o watts, they are still low quality. I would spend the money on the new, higher end ballasts. __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater

08/08/2011, 10:48 AM	#3
Mekanic Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Hudson, FL Posts: 891	Thanks Jim. Also, the place I was looking at for replacement ballasts had the wrong price listed. The actual price on them is $165 each, I'll update the first post accordingly. Alright, guess I can't edit so I'll just do it here heh. $330 for new ballasts, $100 for new CF bulbs. So $430 to get the aqualight running, and it will need new MH bulbs soon (add $140 for some phoenix 14's) so when I replace the MH I'll be at $570 in the Aqualight. __________________ ~Rich&Cheryl Current Tank Info: 90g corner drilled, 30g sump/fuge, Mag 9.5 return, SWC 160 cone, 2x Lumenmax 2's, 250w Radiums, BlueWave 7

08/08/2011, 12:53 PM	#4
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	Check out HelloLights....they have 150w ARO - very good- electronic ballasts for $100, and 96w CFL tubes for $30-$45. They don't kill you with shipping, and a very well known, reputable company. That should be $198 for new ballasts, and ,maybe $80 for new CFL....$278, about $150 less if you went with them. __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater

08/08/2011, 12:56 PM	#5
Mekanic Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Hudson, FL Posts: 891	I've looked at the ARO Ballasts, but was curious if the electronic would drive the HQI __________________ ~Rich&Cheryl Current Tank Info: 90g corner drilled, 30g sump/fuge, Mag 9.5 return, SWC 160 cone, 2x Lumenmax 2's, 250w Radiums, BlueWave 7

08/08/2011, 01:08 PM	#6
Mekanic Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Hudson, FL Posts: 891	Just went on hellolights, added 2x reelfex cube magnetic ballasts, 2x 96w super actinics, and 2x phoenix 14k's to the cart, total of $407.70 plus shipping __________________ ~Rich&Cheryl Current Tank Info: 90g corner drilled, 30g sump/fuge, Mag 9.5 return, SWC 160 cone, 2x Lumenmax 2's, 250w Radiums, BlueWave 7

08/08/2011, 01:58 PM	#7
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	Electronics will run any bulb.....but not neccesarily to full power. IE a bulb like 250w Radium is underdriven by 250w electronic ballasts, since it needs to be run at a higher wattage. Try AquaCave as well....they have all the same things, and it comes to ~$340 when I do it. Use RC5 as a coupon code for 5% off, and shipping is free. My estimate might be off, not sure exactly what type ( square or straight pin) CFL you need. I would give AquaCave a call to be sure they are in stock or can still get the reeflex cubes. They are a great comapny, but can come up a little short in having an accurate inventory. I have dealt with them dozens of times though. __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater

08/08/2011, 03:06 PM	#8
Mekanic Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Hudson, FL Posts: 891	Great info, thank you! __________________ ~Rich&Cheryl Current Tank Info: 90g corner drilled, 30g sump/fuge, Mag 9.5 return, SWC 160 cone, 2x Lumenmax 2's, 250w Radiums, BlueWave 7

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