Deal On MH...Help ASAP Please

[gio28]

i have a 36 gallon bowfront and i currently have PCs (130 watts) which wont cut it for LPS and SPS corals. i found this deal on craigslist and i want to know if its any good. its a MH pendant (reflectors and sockets, etc included) and a 14K phoenix 150watt bulb for $70. will 150 watts of MH be good enough for a 36 gallon reef tank that will have a very mixed reef from low light mushrooms to some high light SPS? and is the phoenix 14K bulb good? (pleasing to the eye, good for corals, etc?) thanks.

 

[aquaguy24]

Yes that's enough light to have wat ever u want if placed correctly depending how deep the tank is. Pheonix 14k is a great bulb. Great par and color. That's the bulb I'm using. IMO it looks better if u have actinics. Wat kind of ballast does it come with or wat brand fixture is it. How old is the bulb.

 

[gio28]

i emailed the guy about it the brand, fixture, and how old it is. for $70 is this a good deal or could i DIY for cheaper?

 

[aquaguy24]

that's a deal for $70.
DIY Parts
-lumen max 3=$150.
-icecap my electronis ballast=$150.
-Pheonix 150w 14k=$60

 

[gio28]

whoa...im gonna make sure i get it then...im getting this light for a steal then

i just realized that since i have a bowfront and there is a brace in the middle of my tank im gonna get a shadow. any ideas on how to fix this?

 

[gio28]

i found out that it has an ARO ballast when i reread the listing. is this a good ballast?
i still need to get an email about the brand of the fixture...and as far as the bulb goes...it would be great if i had some decent life left but im still getting a good deal so buying a new one wont be a problem.
the only thing im really concerned about is a shadow caused by my center brace on my tank.

 

[king_neptune]

im not familiar with the brand. of ballast/hood.
but the bulb is in a great spectum(you want 10-20k). also the price cant be beat.
and finally yes. that will do absolutely fantastic for a 36gal tank.
your basically getting it for half price.

 

[gio28]

sweet thats good to know. thanks for your reply.
if the bulb is too white for me ill add two T5 strips in the 460NM or something. plus i can do dawn / dusk with them. and they might also help with the shadow problem.