Just bought my MH's

neotrin17

neotrin17

Member
I had to tell everyone! I am so excited I just (5 mins ago) purchased my MH lights.
I got a 4' prostar 2-250 10,000k + 2 110 watt VHO actinic Blue hood! Yeah!!!!
Everything is coming together. I purchases everything for my fuge that I am setting up this week, bought my RO/DI unit (typhoon III).
My tank, though 5 months old....is getting a major face lift! I will post pics once it is all assembled.
Thanks to everyone who has helped me in the decision process.
 
robchuck

robchuck

Active Member
Have fun with the MH! You'll be glad you went with the 250's, but just be prepared for temperature increases with fans, etc.
 
neotrin17

neotrin17

Member
yeah i plan on hanging them 10 inches above the tank. they are the HQI MH's so I am interested to see how they do.
:)
What is the exact difference between the reg and the HQI?
 
robchuck

robchuck

Active Member
HQI ballasts run bulbs a little harder than the standard ballast for that wattage. They are also typically used to run double-ended bulbs, which is what the Prostar hood uses. This is all very good, as double-ended bulbs last longer than their mogul-based equivalent and put out more PAR than their mogul-based equivalent. You'll just have to be careful with coral placement so you don't burn any of them.
 
neotrin17

neotrin17

Member
What do you mean by running harder?
Good thing, bad thing...what is the recommend distance then for corals? Or is basically a test and we shall see type of thing?
Thanks for the post I always learn so much from everyone!
JB
 
dragonboy

dragonboy

Active Member
Well HQI puts out more UV than the mogul doesn't it? So it can burn your corals if you don't have a UV filter.
 
reefnut

reefnut

Active Member
I'm sure the unit comes with UV filter glass so no worries.
Good thing, bad thing...what is the recommend distance then for corals? Or is basically a test and we shall see type of thing?
It's a good thing. Hand the unit 8"-10" and you'll be fine. Remember to Slowly acclimate your tank to the new lighting.
 
neotrin17

neotrin17

Member
thanks guys!
I checked it does have a UV filter.
I was planning on 10 inches to begin, I can always adjust if I need to.
Thanks again for the info!
 
wocka

wocka

Active Member
thats awesome.. uv filter and mh in one.! im gonna save up for a metal halide pendand probly
 
neotrin17

neotrin17

Member
48" Deluxe PROTOSTAR HQI unit with 2x250 watt 10,000 Kelvin HQI double ended metal halide lamps with supplemental actinic blue VHOs.
The power of HQI lighting with the dawn to dusk effect of actinic blue VHOs.
Great choice for all reef tanks, especially those with hard corals, SPS corals, clams, acropora and anemones.
Each unit comes with super-brite internal hammertone strip reflector, two cooling fans,UV absorbing tempered glass lens and remote HQI ballasts with quick disconnects.
Two double ended 250 watt 10,000K HQI lamps and two actinic blue 110 watt VHO lamps are included in price.
Powerful metal halide lighting and actinics that won't be drowned out by the halides.
Dimensions: 48"L x 11.5"W x 6.5"H.
Here is the descriptin.
 
neotrin17

neotrin17

Member
I was going to go with the pendents but then I decided to go with the hood. I just like the look of the hood better then the pendent.
:)
Pendents are a lot cheaper that is for sure.
 
slosurfer

slosurfer

Member
Remember to Slowly acclimate your tank to the new lighting. [/B]
I just put my MH lights on, how do you slowly acclimate your tank to the lighting?
 
verde_ad

verde_ad

Member
only leave the halides on for a short amount of time and then increase the time daily or weekly, I am not quite sure, but someone around here knows. I have read another post about it, so you may want to search it out if you don't get any other responses. Sorry I couldn't be more help. Congrats on the lights, they sound quite nice.
 
kl8n

kl8n

Member
Yep, showing $850.00 for that prostar system. How much did you pay? Thats a vacation for me and my family!
 
dragonboy

dragonboy

Active Member

Originally posted by kl8n
lighting is so damn expensive.... why God why?
Yeah I know its like the hobby isn't expensive enough already.
 
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