I can't seem to find an answer...

swlover

swlover

Member
Ok I have a standard 10 gal tank hood on a 15 & 25 gal tall tanks, where do I find some 18" bulbs with a higher wattage to grow corals (and what wattage is recommended)-these only have the 2 pins-not 4. I have found a coral sun actinic, but it dosen't say if it has 2 pins or not and it says 420 NM what does that mean? Any sudjestions (like what site has them??) My LFS don't have anything I need so I'll have to look online. Thanks
 
tinyreef

tinyreef

Member
i'm not sure if i can post another ols here since this is swf.com's site but championlighting.com carries 18" fluorescents both NO and VHO (frankly, they're the only place i know of that does carry that 18" size in VHO).
champ's also only dry goods so i would think there's less conflict with swf. btw, i think that's what you're asking for and not PC bulbs, based on the two-pin comment. hth
 
hagfish

hagfish

Active Member
It sounds like you have normal output (NO) lights in there now, is that true? If it is, and you want higher wattage, you really need to upgrade not just the bulb, but the ballast too. You'll want to get PC (power compact) lights at least. They are usually the cheapest lighting alternative for corals. Or you can get VHO (very high output), MH (metal halide), or HO T5's (high output). Your NO fixture won't cut it for photosynthetic corals long term. I suggest you do some research on each of these types of lighting on this message board and maybe google. If you google I'm sure you'll find some lighting stores. hellolights is one place that has good lighting prices.
 
swlover

swlover

Member
Yes I have thought of that but shied away from messing with elctricty. How hard is it to do upgrading like you mentioned? I have seen the kits, but I'm afraid I'm not savy when it comes to electric. I know nothing about electric units, do I have to mess with splicing wires and all that? Thanks for your help-
PS, I also have been looking at the Satelite, maybe replacing atleast one of my hoods completely, keep one just for fish and LR and the other for corals (when the time is right) anyone use one and what are your experiences with them!
 
hagfish

hagfish

Active Member

Originally Posted by swlover
Yes I have thought of that but shied away from messing with elctricty. How hard is it to do upgrading like you mentioned? I have seen the kits, but I'm afraid I'm not savy when it comes to electric. I know nothing about electric units, do I have to mess with splicing wires and all that? Thanks for your help-
PS, I also have been looking at the Satelite, maybe replacing atleast one of my hoods completely, keep one just for fish and LR and the other for corals (when the time is right) anyone use one and what are your experiences with them!
Well, you'll have to upgrade in some way if you want corals because NO lights don't cut it for corals. It's really not hard to wire a kit, but if just splicing wires in general makes you nervous you may not want to do it. But there's usually only a few wires to connect. You can probably find used retro kits that are already put together. Both of my MH's were bought like that. I just bought a VHO retro about a month ago and there was a simple wiring diagram that really made it simple as can be to put together.
All that said, you've got a pretty small tank so if you're just wanting enough lights for soft corals and other medium light animals then you should probably just get some PC lights in a premade fixture. You can search the auction site for them.
 
swlover

swlover

Member
Ok thanks for the info, I've seen the retro lights on e *** and not too expensive. I might try there. I know they are small systems but just don't have the room for large tanks, right now I've got a small house, but this summer I'm changing stuff around in the kitchen-thats where my tanks are now, and in let say 6 months or so I'll probably sell both tanks and go for a larger one like 55 gallon, but that is max size. I might keep one for my daughter's room, we will see. I've seen smaller reef systems than mine, just beautiful-if they can do it so can I, I am determined!
 
hagfish

hagfish

Active Member
I wasn't suggesting there was anything wrong with the size of the tank. Just that at that size, price differences in lights are less dramatic. And PC lights will serve your function probably, unless you want clams, most anemone's and/or SPS corals. So I would just search for PC lights that fit your tank size. And try to find a light with as many PC's as you can fit over your tank.
 
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