lighting replacement

[jonthefb]

ok guys, on my 135 reef tank, i have a CSL MH/actinic retro kit that has had 3 250 watt 5500K bulbs in it for about 9 months now. it also has 2 40 watt all actinic flourescents in it. These bulbs are the ones tha tcame with the hood (wish id have upgraded to the 10 or 20 k now) any reccommendatinos for replacements? How often do you all change Mh's and flouros? This is the bulb replacement list that i am looking at
Flourescents:
2 URi 48 inch 40W actinic o3's
halides:
2 250 watt 10k blueline bulbs = blue white look
or
2 250 watt Ushio 10k bulbs = crisp white
or
2 250 watt 10k coralfe bulbs = blue
and
1 250 watt 20K german HQI MH = blue
any suggestions for the 2 250 watt halides from the choices above?
also will i have any problem running these bulbs off of the ballast i currently have? (not sure of the brand, etc)
TIA all,
jon

 

[jonthefb]

correction the flourescents are actually more like 59 inches. That would make these VHO bulbs correct? Damn i wish i had the info on the fixture. the problem is im like 4 hours away and cant actually read it off the bulb!
TIA
jon

 

[jonthefb]

oh come on guys!
bump

 

[jonthefb]

anyone...anyone...anyone?????

jon

 

[broomer5]

I'm still learning about MH lamps/ballasts myself.
I don't think it's wise to run the 250 watt 20K german HQI MH lamps on anything but an HQI ballast.
Don't think it will even start it.
From what I've read online, and advise from others here, I think the 250 10000K Ushio may light okay with a 250 watt MH ballast - but you get better results and performance with an HQI.
May be similar for the Blueline lamps - not sure.
Other's on here are much better qualified to answer your lighting questions - just bumping it up for you.
Knowing the exact ballast will be necessary for the lighting experts to help you - that I do know

 

[josh]

Jon,
If you are going with 250's get your self an IC 250 HQI ballast and run a 10K ab bulb. Also, I would go with pendent b/c they come with tempered glass to protect your critters from the UV the HQI give off. I would recommend sunlight supply reefoptix III+ , they are made just for HQI sytems and have a better spread than the PFO mini pendents do.
Josh
** there isn't a 20K 250 HQI bulb out yet, the word is radium is still working on it. The AB is actually a 13K...it has a hint of blue.

 

[jonthefb]

see, the prob i am having is that my 135 is at home with my parents who are 3 hours away. I keep asking my dad to look at the ballast for info but he says he cant find anything. The light setup that we have now is only about a year and a half old, so im not too keen on upgrading all sorts of things right now. I am going to call him tomorrow and ask him about the ballast, hes also supposedly looking for the paperwork that came with the light set, so hopefully by tomorrow we'll have some answers!
thaks again
jon

 

[finland]

I recently replaced my 250w halides. I had blueline 10k's and replaced them with Ushio 10k's. They are supplemented with 2 actinic pc's and 2 10k pc's. I am really glad that I went with Ushio. IMO the Ushio's crisp white looks better, not so blue. Mh bulbs should be replace every 12- 14 months and I am assuming the time on vho's are the same , but not sure as I don't use them. Someone else will have to chime in here. Just my opinion, but I think you will be happier with the appearance by going with Ushio 10k's. Were the 5500k too yellow? just curious

 

[jonthefb]

yeah all the bubls taht came with the retro were 55oo's and the tank has an overall yellow look. Finalnd did you know exactly what type of ballast you had? i wouldnt think this would make a differnet as long as you didnt try to stick a 400w bubl ina ballast that was rated for only 250w.
TIA, again
jon

 

[finland]

Sorry Jon, don't know exactly what type of ballast it is. It is from custom sealife if that helps. I bought the ballast used and it is in a black metal box labeled "Powers 2 250 watt mh bulbs. by custom sealife" I am guess it is a standard magnetic ballast. Just a little ignorant here. What I do know though is that it fires 5500k's and 10k's quite bright.

 

[jonthefb]

see, thats the exact same situation im in right now, being 3 hrs away form the ballast itself. i know they were from CSL, and they are designed to operate 3 250w MH's. i guess, ill try them cause i know they are gonna work (your exp) and see what happens. thanks man!
jon