Ocean light 250W HQI ?

g13

g13

Member
Hello, I was trying to get info and oppinions on some lighting for my (wannabe reef) tank. I have a 45 gallon tank (36"L X 24"H X 12"W) with 196 watt pc's (96W of 10K and 96W of true actinic). I wanted to upgrade my tank to MH's. I have been looking on the internet and found (what I think is a good deal) a deal on a MH pendant. It is ...Ocean Light 250W HQI Aqua Medic AB. It comes with an option of 10,000K XDE or 20,000K XDE bulbs (double ended). My questions are, is this lighting far superior then my 196 watts of pc? If so, which bulb is best for me to purchase? Is $250 total for pendant and shipping (not including tax) worth it? Can i get all 3 questions answered, please.
I have 60 lbs of LS about 60 lbs of LR.
Frogspawn, hammer, yellow fiji leather, kenya tree and assorted mushrooms as corals and a RBTA.
 
kpk

kpk

Active Member
Are you talking about the one on hellolights.com? I think that looks like a really nice pendant. According to what ballast comes with it may be a nice deal.
I think for a "couple" bucks more you could get a pfo, or icecap, hqi 250w ballast, a pfo pendant, and a 20k xm (which would be nice and blue).
Not that it would be superior to you existing lights, but your corals etc. would most definitly love it, and if you ever want to try sps you could (water quality is even more important)...
HTH,
Kyle
 
g13

g13

Member
Well, tell you the truth. I wouldn't know what I need to purchase, if I wanted to purchase it all seperately. That's why i was just looking for the whole MH system together and yes it is the one from Hellolights (since I know another site that will match their sale price and give free shipping:) )
 
kpk

kpk

Active Member
I understand that, and those are some sweet looking pendants. Good luck. What bulbs are you wanting?
 
kpk

kpk

Active Member
Oh and you will need to acclimate the tank to the halides or everything could be a mess...:D
 
g13

g13

Member
Yes, I've read on past posts about acclimating my tank slowly when i change the lighting systems (which, I'll probably cut in half to start off). I remember the first time I added my pc's, I thought my 6line wrasse was going to commit suicide as he he would swim directly in to glass (back and forth at a good speed)like if he was blind.
About the bulbs, I'm not sure. Hellolights has the 10k XDE and the 20k XDE as for the site that'll match the price it's 10K or 20K, it says nothing about XDE.....?
@KPK, I appreciate your help, Thanks.
 
shoreliner11

shoreliner11

Active Member
If you are using no actinic to supplement go with the 20k xm de. I have the same bulb and I think its just the right hint between white and blue. I love it.
 
g13

g13

Member

Originally posted by Shoreliner11
If you are using no actinic to supplement go with the 20k xm de. I have the same bulb and I think its just the right hint between white and blue. I love it.
Well the site says XDE, is that the same as XM DE?
 
g13

g13

Member

Originally posted by Legion
I just got one
Who? What? When? Where?...lol...can i get some details...
 
g13

g13

Member

Originally posted by Legion
hello... I meant I just got a 250 ocean light 250 hqi for my 40 breeder:D hint hint
How much did it set you back? Which bulb did you purchase with the fixture?
Any idea if bulbs XDE and XM DE are the same thing?
I also don't see anything about it coming with a cooling fan, does it come with one?
 
kpk

kpk

Active Member
Ok to answer your ?'s. Yes, the hqi halide will be superior to your pcs. IMO and experience, I think you would like the 20k's, because you won't have to suppliment with actinics. Do you have room for actinics, or a hood? Personally, I am running 14k hamiltons and 2x110w actinic vho's and still not blue enough for me. Also that is a great deal IMO, and looks like a good system for the money. It is made by aquamedic ab, and they are suppose to be one of the best bulb on the market, but I got xm's on the way. I just found a site that said the "xde" is just xm, but hqi double ended bulbs. In xde the de means double ended.
I say get after that oceanlight. Shoot me and email and I'll send you some info on the ocean light.
KylePKilhoffer@hotmail.com
 
g13

g13

Member
Just placed my order:D .
They matched the price of $258.99 and gave me free shipping. So, the total was $260.?? including the insurance and it'll be in my hands in 4 business days. I ordered it with the 20K AB bulb.
@KPK,.....THANKS :joy: I can't wait till it gets here so i can set it up. What method do you recommend with the acclimation time?
 
kpk

kpk

Active Member
Well when I did it I was stupid and didn't do it long enough. I would say run it like 30-60 min. for 3 or for days and then go up an hour every 3-4 days after that. Be safe and do 30min. If anyone has other recommendations post em.
Kyle
Ps. when you get em post pics...
 
S

savage21

Guest
will that work for a 135 gal. ? i'm going to pick it up today. (glasscage). Do the lights need to be spaced out over the tank or with that type can you put it in the middle:notsure:
 
kpk

kpk

Active Member
If you are talking about the pendant you would need 2-3 of them. I have a 110 and have 2 pendants. It's pretty expensive, but let me tell you if you like this hobby don't go spend money on vhos or pcs (they are good but...) because you will probably end up wanting/needing vhos in the long run. You could use 2 and a vho to spread the light out a bit.
Kyle
 
g13

g13

Member

Originally posted by kpk
Well when I did it I was stupid and didn't do it long enough. I would say run it like 30-60 min. for 3 or for days and then go up an hour every 3-4 days after that. Be safe and do 30min. If anyone has other recommendations post em.
Kyle
Ps. when you get em post pics...
So, 30-60 minutes a day for 3 days? Sounds like my corals are not going to have enough light but I guess they have no choice but to put up with it....:D
I will post pics, I'm hoping my RBTA likes the new lighting also.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top