any MH light pros??

mujtba

mujtba

Member
i asked this question before, but i didn't get a clear answer.. so imma try again and word it diffrrent.
ok I have this lighting:
ORBIT Extreme PC
48" Length
520W PC lighting
4x 130W Bulbs
2 FANS
I was planning on removing the two INNER PC bulbs and add two MH bulb sockets, and then just add the MH bulbs. Thats all I was going to do. I was going to get two 150W MH bulbs since my ONE PC bulb is already at 130W. Then just connect the wires to the bulb socket and bang. Im done.
Do you think my idea will work fine?
:notsure:
I just want to change to MH for the following reasons or are they MYTHS:
1- MH bulbs last longer than PC bulbs
2- MH 130W lighting is far MORE intense than 130W PC lighting
3- MH bulbs make corals look MUCH brighter (soft or hard corals)
 
22caddy

22caddy

Member
I am confused. Are you planning on using metal halide ballasts or are you thinking of using the pcs to attach the metal halide sockets?
 
krux

krux

Member
the mh will not run on the pc ballasts. you can definately retro in halides, but you need a halide ballast. if you choose to go with 150 double ended bulbs you need to also make sure that there is proper uv shielding between the bulb and the tank, usually in the form of a piece of uv shielding glass
 
mujtba

mujtba

Member
no i was not going to use MH ballasts.
I was just going to get the bulb sockets and attach it to the PC ballast wires. The PC bulbs are 130W each, so I was thinking that the 150W MH bulb will work fine with it.
No?
What do you mean by retro in halides?
What are 150 DOUBLE ENDED BULBS?
My light sits 4 inches above the tank. I have a clear splash guard glass plate to protect the bulbs. Is that the same as an UV protect? Or can I just replace that glass with a UV protect?
please clearly explain.. im a noob on lighting.
Also, were my first questions on MHs myths or real?
 
golfish

golfish

Active Member

Originally posted by mujtba
no i was not going to use MH ballasts.
I was just going to get the bulb sockets and attach it to the PC ballast wires. The PC bulbs are 130W each, so I was thinking that the 150W MH bulb will work fine with it.

The MH bulb wont work on the PC ballast
 
dburr

dburr

Active Member
OK, so you are going to use JUST THE WIRING. Right? Swap out the ballasts and PC sockets for MH.
That will work.
What do you mean by retro in halides?
Retrofit. Swaping like what your doing.
What are 150 DOUBLE ENDED BULBS?
Double ended are 150 watt and 250 watt. Single ended are 70, 175, 250 and 400 watt. You will need to know what type before you do tour buying so the ballasts and socket/bulbs match.
I have a clear splash guard glass plate to protect the bulbs. Is that the same as an UV protect?
Single ended bulbs have UV glass already. DE bulbs need the UV glass. If going with SE, raise the hood and ditch the glass, IMO.
HTH
 
mujtba

mujtba

Member
ok i think its all slowly making some sorta sense to me..
but i still don't know if I should do it or not. In my first POST, are my last 3 questions MYTHS or FACTS?
ok now my questions is this.
look at the attached image. Is that all I need to add into my hood?
A) Since I want TWO 175W bulbs, do I just need ONE ballast and TWO sockets?
B) How big are the ballasts, and where do I mount/hide it? Inside my PC fixture? Or on the floor behind my tank?
C) I want to still use 2 PC lights in my hood along with MH. So do I remove 1 PC ballast and replace it with the Mh ballast?
D) If TWO ballasts are needed PER bulb, would it be better for me to just get ONE 250W MH ballast and socket and put it in the middle. So I would have TWO 130W PC lights and ONE 250W MH bulb in the middle. Would that be enough for clams and the gang?
Please answer all...

I appreciate it... :cheer:
 
schneidts

schneidts

Active Member

Originally posted by mujtba
I just want to change to MH for the following reasons or are they MYTHS:
1- MH bulbs last longer than PC bulbs
2- MH 130W lighting is far MORE intense than 130W PC lighting
3- MH bulbs make corals look MUCH brighter (soft or hard corals)
1-MYTH
2-FACT
3-FACT
You have alot of questions, and I'm not sure if I can answer them all, but I'll do my best. (Have you searched the DIY forum for some setup ideas??). I haven't seen your canopy, so I can't tell you if you can even keep halides in it. You need 1 ballast per MH bulb/socket, or you can can get a dual ballast that will run two lamps. As far as the ballast goes, it's pretty easy to wire yourself if you have any experience with that. The ballast will need to go in some sort of metal electrical box, unless it comes in a case of it's own. (the one in the picture you attached would not need to be put in an electrical box) The ballast would go on the floor and be wired up to the canopy.
 
schneidts

schneidts

Active Member
I forgot to add that 1 250 in the middle wouldn't be sufficient for a 75. You'd need to have one on each side.
 
golfish

golfish

Active Member
A) you'll need a dual ballast or two singles.
B)Depends on the ballast..The one in your image is probably about 10"x6"x6" (around there) You'll want it on the floor next to the tank. Some people put em in the stand, some even in the canopy. I have mine about 50 feet away in the garage.
C)I don't know anything about your PC ballast. Its probably all mounted in a single heat sink so you probably can't remove it.
D) No, one MH ballast per one MN bulb.
I just want to change to MH for the following reasons or are they MYTHS:
1- MH bulbs last longer than PC bulbs
2- MH 130W lighting is far MORE intense than 130W PC lighting
3- MH bulbs make corals look MUCH brighter (soft or hard corals)
1) Yes, some last twice as long some last only a few months longer. Some last just as long. Depends on the bulb an the ballast.
2) Yes, more intense
3) Depends on the corals..IME, LPS and some softies look better under PC's then they do under MH's.
 
mujtba

mujtba

Member
so since all i have is LPS and Softies, u think my lights are enough?
I thought MH lights were the best for all corals...
:notsure:
 
golfish

golfish

Active Member

Originally posted by mujtba
so since all i have is LPS and Softies, u think my lights are enough?
I thought MH lights were the best for all corals...
:notsure:
If you have 520 watts of PC's over a 75 gal tank and your just keeping LPS and softies then I see no reason to run MH's..if your going to put Acro's and other light loving SPS then I'd say you'll need 250 watt MH's, at least.
 
mujtba

mujtba

Member
Which one is better:
2x150w HQI MH, 2-130w dual actinics
2-175W MH & 2-96W Powercompacts
Is the HQI the same as the MH? Are they both single ended?
Would I need a UV shield for the HQI since it is 150w, or does it work different?
Will both of these cause a 'shimmer' effect?
 
yaksplat

yaksplat

Member
HQI is a double ended MH bulb.
You need a UV shield for double ended bulbs.
You will get a shimmering effect with any MH bulb.
Jim
 
mujtba

mujtba

Member
so is HQI better than regular MH?
Is the 175 MH single ended?
Would the 150W HQI one be enough for clams?
 
mujtba

mujtba

Member
wait im confused:
1) which is better for clams:
2x150w HQI MH, 2-130w dual actinics
2-175W MH & 2-96W Powercompacts
2) Also, are these both stronger than my 520W PC lighting?
 
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