Good Halides?

Salamander · 01/16/2006, 01:11 PM

I was just wondering if anyone can recommend some good, fairly inexpensive MH fixtures, ballasts, and bulbs for my 55g. I used the search but did not find the info I wanted. I'm looking for brand names or links if you got 'em.

Thanks
Mark

supertech3 · 01/16/2006, 01:19 PM

Are you looking for lights to mount under a canopy (retro kit) or a complete fixture

Salamander · 01/16/2006, 02:06 PM

I'm not sure what I would be best. I'd like to use my PC's too as supplement so I might build a new canopy to hold it all or I might just go with a complete fixture.

jasonstr8up · 01/16/2006, 02:15 PM

http://www.hellolights.com/17methalbalk.html
This is where I bought mine. Great price and customer service.
Call them and talk to Adam or Scott.

Ti · 01/16/2006, 03:31 PM

ditto on hellolights

Andrew · 01/16/2006, 03:35 PM

For mh lighting for a 55 gallon. I would recomend these:

http://oceanencounter.com/Merchant2/...ory_Code=EVMHR

Zoos · 01/16/2006, 05:52 PM

i just ordered my MH from Hellolights, i jave not received them yet but the service was good, i am scheduled to receive them on the 19th

Daddeo · 01/16/2006, 05:56 PM

I have the 250 watt retro with Reeflux bulbs from Reef Exotics. For the price these have the best bang for the buck IMO.

whosjohnny · 01/17/2006, 04:09 AM

newbie are usually tempted with power compacts but my experiences is, stay away from them.... 4 yrs with pc and now 1 year with mh, what a big differences PAR growth on my tank inhabitants.

"cheap" metal halides doesn't always seem to go together but if 7 out of 10 people say it is worth it, might want to trust on ppl experiences. =) my 0.02.

Salamander · 01/17/2006, 09:52 PM

Thanks for the input everyone. I've got a few good ideas to consider now. How long have ya'll been running your MH form hello lights?

I know that in reefing as in life, cheap is never the best answer but quality products are sometimes overpriced due to the hype. Think Nike etc. I'm just trying to find a good balance. I've been running my PCs for over 4 yrs now with great success (including some acros and other sps) but want to bump it up a bit.

An in my opinion good service is worth something in todays world. Call me old fashioned, bu I'll pay extra if I like the service and people on the other end.

Thanks again,
Mark

Paulairduck · 01/18/2006, 02:04 AM

I have good luck with hamilton's, just wait till they put things on special.

obybobie · 01/20/2006, 03:00 PM

pfo baby

artis · 01/20/2006, 04:07 PM

I've had good luck with the Hellolights retro kit. Using their electronic ballasts with 250w SE Ushio 10Ks with the 2 96 watt VHO. These have been in use for about 8 months now.

Word of caution. If you go with VHO supplements, watch the length. 48" can be a bit too long on a standard 55. Those 46.5" lengths were perfect for my needs.

grigsy · 01/20/2006, 06:14 PM

I have been happy with my system from Hamilton Technology - www.hamiltontechnology.com - 250W MH + 96W 03 PC

Salamander · 01/20/2006, 07:39 PM

Hamilton lights look good but a little bit more $ than Hello lights. Seems like there are a bunch of good reviews for both. Any clue on hamilton light specials?

So what is the difference between elctronic or magnetic ballasts. Sorry if its a stupid question I'm still doing a search.

Obybobie or anyone else...what is PFO?

Old Yeller Tang · 01/21/2006, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Daddeo
I have the 250 watt retro with Reeflux bulbs from Reef Exotics. For the price these have the best bang for the buck IMO.

That is cheap!

just dave · 01/21/2006, 08:34 AM

If you have a standard 55 (about 12" wide) you'll find it very difficult to fit halides with a decent reflector and your PC bulbs inside any canopy.

TimBob · 01/21/2006, 10:59 AM

Another vote for the Ocean Encounter retro kits. I added two of them to my tank a few weeks ago and I have eben very pleased. On top of that the ballasts are tiny compared to the magnetic ballasts that everyone else seems to use at that price point. $160 complete for each fixture is a good price and they seem like a great company to deal with.

Being a newbie to MH I had a few questions and their customer service was excellent.

01/16/2006, 01:11 PM	#1
Salamander Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Flagstaff, Arizona Posts: 2,103	Good Halides? I was just wondering if anyone can recommend some good, fairly inexpensive MH fixtures, ballasts, and bulbs for my 55g. I used the search but did not find the info I wanted. I'm looking for brand names or links if you got 'em. Thanks Mark __________________ I feel more like myself now than I did before. Current Tank Info: 120g mixed reef, 2 x 250W DE MH, 2 x 54w T5, MSX 200 SKimmer, 2 Koralia 4's, 40g fuge/sump, QT

01/16/2006, 02:06 PM	#3
Salamander Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Flagstaff, Arizona Posts: 2,103	I'm not sure what I would be best. I'd like to use my PC's too as supplement so I might build a new canopy to hold it all or I might just go with a complete fixture. __________________ I feel more like myself now than I did before. Current Tank Info: 120g mixed reef, 2 x 250W DE MH, 2 x 54w T5, MSX 200 SKimmer, 2 Koralia 4's, 40g fuge/sump, QT

01/16/2006, 02:15 PM	#4
jasonstr8up Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Coconut Creek, FL Posts: 437	http://www.hellolights.com/17methalbalk.html This is where I bought mine. Great price and customer service. Call them and talk to Adam or Scott. __________________ Honey I promise … This is the last thing I need to buy. Current Tank Info: ASM G-3, CUSTOM SEA LIFE 1/4HP CHILLER AND 18 WATT UV, (2) 110 VHO's, EHEIM 2215 CANISTER, Sealife Systems 200 GAL WET/DRY LITTLE GIANT 4-MDQX-SC,

01/16/2006, 03:31 PM	#5
Ti Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 7,927	ditto on hellolights __________________ Hair algae is my Macro algae.

01/16/2006, 05:52 PM	#7
Zoos Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 1,334	i just ordered my MH from Hellolights, i jave not received them yet but the service was good, i am scheduled to receive them on the 19th __________________ "The only thing that interferes with my learning is my education." Current Tank Info: None.

01/16/2006, 01:19 PM	#2
supertech3 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: El Paso Posts: 1,206	Are you looking for lights to mount under a canopy (retro kit) or a complete fixture

01/16/2006, 03:35 PM	#6
Andrew Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 13,640	For mh lighting for a 55 gallon. I would recomend these: http://oceanencounter.com/Merchant2/...ory_Code=EVMHR

01/16/2006, 05:56 PM	#8
Daddeo "Daddius Maximas" Join Date: May 2005 Location: Mash Island, Florida Posts: 532	I have the 250 watt retro with Reeflux bulbs from Reef Exotics. For the price these have the best bang for the buck IMO. __________________ Life is short... Current Tank Info: 120 gallon(60LX20WX24H) In-wall, 2X250 watt 10K SE reeflux's, 110 watts of T5 actinic supplement, 2X Koralia 4000 EVO's, 20 gallon sump, 10 gallon fuge, ASM G3.

01/17/2006, 04:09 AM	#9
whosjohnny Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Anaheim, CA Posts: 599	newbie are usually tempted with power compacts but my experiences is, stay away from them.... 4 yrs with pc and now 1 year with mh, what a big differences PAR growth on my tank inhabitants. "cheap" metal halides doesn't always seem to go together but if 7 out of 10 people say it is worth it, might want to trust on ppl experiences. =) my 0.02. __________________ I wish I could live 1,000 years and get 1,000 PhDs. I have an infinite appetite to understand life. Current Tank Info: 300G glass 10 foot x 2' x2', 9 foot sump w/ 3' fug 4' frag, EuroReef CS12-2, Geo Reactor 624 30", 2x 250W DE MH, 3x 150W DE MH, RKE, 135G FOWLR w/ 50G sump ASM-G3, 50G QT w/15G sump, 12G Nano, 60G turtles.

01/17/2006, 09:52 PM	#10
Salamander Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Flagstaff, Arizona Posts: 2,103	Thanks for the input everyone. I've got a few good ideas to consider now. How long have ya'll been running your MH form hello lights? I know that in reefing as in life, cheap is never the best answer but quality products are sometimes overpriced due to the hype. Think Nike etc. I'm just trying to find a good balance. I've been running my PCs for over 4 yrs now with great success (including some acros and other sps) but want to bump it up a bit. An in my opinion good service is worth something in todays world. Call me old fashioned, bu I'll pay extra if I like the service and people on the other end. Thanks again, Mark __________________ I feel more like myself now than I did before. Current Tank Info: 120g mixed reef, 2 x 250W DE MH, 2 x 54w T5, MSX 200 SKimmer, 2 Koralia 4's, 40g fuge/sump, QT

01/18/2006, 02:04 AM	#11
Paulairduck I LOVE FREE FRAGS!!! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Chino Hills Posts: 2,909	I have good luck with hamilton's, just wait till they put things on special.

01/20/2006, 03:00 PM	#12
obybobie Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: corona ca Posts: 205	pfo baby

01/20/2006, 04:07 PM	#13
artis Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Alabama Posts: 210	I've had good luck with the Hellolights retro kit. Using their electronic ballasts with 250w SE Ushio 10Ks with the 2 96 watt VHO. These have been in use for about 8 months now. Word of caution. If you go with VHO supplements, watch the length. 48" can be a bit too long on a standard 55. Those 46.5" lengths were perfect for my needs.

01/20/2006, 06:14 PM	#14
grigsy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Posts: 2,307	I have been happy with my system from Hamilton Technology - www.hamiltontechnology.com - 250W MH + 96W 03 PC

01/20/2006, 07:39 PM	#15
Salamander Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Flagstaff, Arizona Posts: 2,103	Hamilton lights look good but a little bit more $ than Hello lights. Seems like there are a bunch of good reviews for both. Any clue on hamilton light specials? So what is the difference between elctronic or magnetic ballasts. Sorry if its a stupid question I'm still doing a search. Obybobie or anyone else...what is PFO? __________________ I feel more like myself now than I did before. Current Tank Info: 120g mixed reef, 2 x 250W DE MH, 2 x 54w T5, MSX 200 SKimmer, 2 Koralia 4's, 40g fuge/sump, QT

01/21/2006, 08:34 AM	#17
just dave 11th in '11 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Cordova, TN Posts: 4,394	If you have a standard 55 (about 12" wide) you'll find it very difficult to fit halides with a decent reflector and your PC bulbs inside any canopy.

01/21/2006, 10:59 AM	#18
TimBob Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: St. Peters, MO Posts: 175	Another vote for the Ocean Encounter retro kits. I added two of them to my tank a few weeks ago and I have eben very pleased. On top of that the ballasts are tiny compared to the magnetic ballasts that everyone else seems to use at that price point. $160 complete for each fixture is a good price and they seem like a great company to deal with. Being a newbie to MH I had a few questions and their customer service was excellent. __________________ TimBob Current Tank Info: 75G Mixed Reef + 20G Sump/Fuge - 2X250 MH, 2X110 VHO, 28X Turnover