Need lighting advice

nate213

nate213

Member
I want to upgrade the lighting on my 75G. It currently has the Coralife PC with 4x65w bulbs. I also have an older Smart Light 2x65w PC with new bulbs. (The Smart Light will not fit on the tank at the same time.) I was thinking about taking the two apart, combining them and added some MH fixtures also. Should I go this route or just purchase a complete new system and sell the old ones? My current budget is $1200. What is the best long term solution?
Also how high would my canopy have to be for MH? I know I have room to setup the PC, but I think it maybe too short for the MH.
 
nate213

nate213

Member
Ok I found some more information on DIY MH kits, and I decided I am going to buy a whole new light. So far Im looking at :
Coralife 48 Inch Aqualight Pro, 2x250W HQI Lamp + 2x96W CF Lamps Sq. Pin + 4x1W LED
or
Current USA 48 inch Outer Orbit 2x250w 10K HQI-MH w/ 4x54W T5 HO & 18 Lunar Lights
Is there any similar products out there that I should add to my list to review?
 
mr_x

mr_x

Active Member
those will work fine for you. if money is no object, there are better brand names, but i'd put either of those you listed over my tank.
 
nate213

nate213

Member
Are the other brand names significantly better for the extra cost? Im not opposed to spending more if it is worth it. Id rather buy once.
 
mr_x

mr_x

Active Member
not significantly. i'd change the halide lamps out when you get the fixture. sell the factory lamps and purchase better ones for yourself.
 
aquaguy24

aquaguy24

Active Member
cool buy..i have the same fixture..im loving it..very easy to set up....i'd suggest changing the mh bulbs to the pheonix 250w 14k bulbs....the bulbs that the fixture comes with are fine but its to much of a yellow for me...doesn't really show off colors of corals..
 
tru2037

tru2037

Member
Awhile ago I upgraded from pcs to mh's and pcs, but I paid high dollar for garbage. Fans died, the thing overheated and I had to mod the ballast for the pcs to keep it functional, oh yeah its a Odyssea, It came w/ 2 175w 20k bulbs, would you guys say this is a good setup or should I stop fixing this pos and buy something mentioned in this thread. Its over a 90g reef but coral has never thrived. I guess what I wondering is, is the 250w bulbs going to make a huge difference or is 175 fine?
 
nate213

nate213

Member
Originally Posted by frogdog
http:///forum/post/2804679
I bought the same fixture.
Are you going to hang yours from the ceiling?
Not sure yet. Right now it is just mounted on the legs. I have a canopy, but it doesnt quite clear the power switches. I was thinking of building an open top canopy (or modifying our existing one) so that it covers up the light and the rim of the tank. My wife doesnt like how it looks right now without the canopy.
 
nate213

nate213

Member
Originally Posted by aquaguy24
http:///forum/post/2804254
cool buy..i have the same fixture..im loving it..very easy to set up....i'd suggest changing the mh bulbs to the pheonix 250w 14k bulbs....the bulbs that the fixture comes with are fine but its to much of a yellow for me...doesn't really show off colors of corals..
It is far less yellow than my previous light (4x65 PC) so Ill probably use the existing bulbs for a while. Ill keep the Pheonix in mind when I choose to upgrade. I have heard many good things about those.
 
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