Metal Halide Lighting question

flipper263

flipper263

Member
I have been reading lots but still am having a hard time understanding this lighting thing. Based on what I have read, I do know that I would like to get metal halides for my 120 reef that could possibly work with my future 200 tank.
Here is my problem...
When I look on the different aquarium sites at lighting, I don't quite understand what I am looking at. There are different types of ballasts, retro fits,pendants, light bulbs...I guess I am 'electricity challenged'..and I don't know what I should be looking at buying.
I think I would like an 'all inclusive ...plug it in and voila!' but would like some advice ..what? where? how much ?
Sorry for sounding like such a goof...but there just seems to be way to many choices and it's not as simple as going to the lighting section of Home Depot and picking one you like.
Thanks for any help you can give
Brenda:jumping:
 
msd2

msd2

Active Member

Originally posted by flipper263
I have been reading lots but still am having a hard time understanding this lighting thing. Based on what I have read, I do know that I would like to get metal halides for my 120 reef that could possibly work with my future 200 tank.
Here is my problem...
When I look on the different aquarium sites at lighting, I don't quite understand what I am looking at. There are different types of ballasts, retro fits,pendants, light bulbs...I guess I am 'electricity challenged'..and I don't know what I should be looking at buying.
I think I would like an 'all inclusive ...plug it in and voila!' but would like some advice ..what? where? how much ?
Sorry for sounding like such a goof...but there just seems to be way to many choices and it's not as simple as going to the lighting section of Home Depot and picking one you like.
Thanks for any help you can give
Brenda:jumping:
True lighting can be very confusing. Your smart to start with MH first off. Secondly with your size of tank your going to need several bulbs, for total wattage as well as to avoid shadows. Personally I would probably go with 2 250wt mh bulbs, maybe even 400wts. I would suppliment this with several actinic bulbs. PC would be a good choice, gives them additional light, balances the colors nicely too.
You need to select the temp of the bulb also, the come in varying temps anywhere from 5500-20k. I personally use 10k, it gives it a very white, slightly blue tint but still promotes growth. 20k some like better but I have heard corals dont grow much under it. I also used a 5500 in the past with good luck but its a bit yellow for my preference.
ballasts, varying types for sure. If you want to keep all your options open go with an electronic one. It will fire any MH bulb, so you dont have to worry about it in the future not work. They also are typically 10% more effecient.
hope that helps! good luck!
btw I am thinkin of switchin to double ended mh bulbs, they claim to put out a lot more lumens w/less power!
 
flipper263

flipper263

Member

Originally posted by Bot587
http://cgi.----.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...sPageName=WDVW this is about what you want... i would buy it off of ----, or try a fish store. This will allow you to keep all corals and anemones.

thanks for that link...$599US converts to a whole lot in Canadian $$ and they don't ship to Canada either. At least it gives me an idea of a whole system...thank again
Brenda
 
flipper263

flipper263

Member

Originally posted by msd2
True lighting can be very confusing. Your smart to start with MH first off. Secondly with your size of tank your going to need several bulbs, for total wattage as well as to avoid shadows. Personally I would probably go with 2 250wt mh bulbs, maybe even 400wts. I would suppliment this with several actinic bulbs. PC would be a good choice, gives them additional light, balances the colors nicely too.


I have a double 48" NO flourescent fixture and a 32" as well. Could I use these for the actinic bulbs and add additional MH? I currently have both those fixtures on my 120 that has been up for several months now. All soft corals are doing great in there right now too. (though I can't compare how much greater they would do if they were under MH)
 
msd2

msd2

Active Member

Originally posted by flipper263
I have a double 48" NO flourescent fixture and a 32" as well. Could I use these for the actinic bulbs and add additional MH? I currently have both those fixtures on my 120 that has been up for several months now. All soft corals are doing great in there right now too. (though I can't compare how much greater they would do if they were under MH)
Yea you certainly could. Sounds like a great idea to me.
 
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