Lighting upgrade

[eddi]

Hello all,

I am sorry, I know this has been discussed at length. I am in the process of upgrading my PC lights to MH and I want to do it right the first time. I have a 125 tank and I am planning on getting one 6' unit with 3 250W MH bulbs and either 2 or 4 VHO actinic (depending on what the unit come with). There are lots of companies that make the fixtures; is that as important as the bulbs, is Hamilton better than Custom Sea Life, or are the bulbs really what matter?

I want really white lights and the 250W 10k Iwasaki have been recommended. I also plan on getting and 6500K actinic. Any different suggestions?


Thanks,

Eddi

 

[eddi]

I am sorry, I should have stated that I plan on keeping a variety of corals, including SPS.


Thanks again,

Eddi

 

[Anonymous]

Eddi,
Iwasaki bulbs are 6500K ( not as white as 10KK, but very nice and great PAR)
PC actinic are usually 7100K

The difference between hamilton and CSL is the socket configuration. Hamilton is european, 4 pins in a straight line... CSL is japanese, 4 pins in a square

 

[eddi]

Atlantis,

thanks for setting me straight and let me tell you, that is not an easy thing to do!

I will look on your site for more info, options and prices.

Thanks again,

Eddi

 

[eddi]

Gator (and everyone else),

thanks, yes that helps. One additional question. I can buy a 6' MH/VHO combo from a friend that is selling it, but the MH bulbs are 175W. That would obviously be much cheaper, but would it be sufficient?


Eddi

 

[Gatortailale1]

I'm under impression from what i read on PFO site, is that the actual mogul base can take anything from 175 to 400 watt. The key is that you need the proper ballast to drive the bulb. (175 ballast for a 175 bulb)

I too would like to hear other comments on whether 3 175w bulbs will be sufficient or if we would need 250. My opinion is that a 125 tank isn't that deep (think 24 inch) so 175 would be fine. However, if you ever plan to go to a deeper tank 180 or bigger and want to use same hood then might be better to get the higher wattage now. My ideal ballast would be the blueline sold by champion lighting. I like what dr. mac says about them - that they burn brighter and use less electricity than standard MH ballasts.

 

[Big R]

I would not recommend Hamilton. My LFS has one of thier 6ft fixtures and it is junk. I would go with CSL or PFO. I would also recommend USHIO 10,000K bulbs.

R

 

[Gatortailale1]

eddi,

I too have a 125 with PC and want to eventually go to MH. I been looking around. Both Atlantis and Premium aquatics sell PFO hoods. Since PFO custom makes the hood you want you can get any combo of MH sockets and VHO or PC endcaps installed with fans. I been wanting to get one with 3 MH bulbs to run the blueline 10k and 4 pc bulbs, either all 4 acct. blue or row of blue and row of 10k pc. You can even get them without the ballasts if you want to use your current PC ballasts if compatable with PFO ones.(ask) (Generally PFO sells them with the ballast to run the PC bulbs.) If you want to run electronic ballasts, they can wire it up for that instead of standard MH ballast. Takes around 3 days for PFO to build.
[since I got first baby expected in 2 months, my plans to upgrade have been put on hold till I see what cash I have and what I can afford]
Hope this helps.

Gator

 

[Gatortailale1]

eddi,

I sent you email. I'll be at W.A.M.A.S. meeting Saturday. Maybe I see you there if you go. See old post for info and directions.

Gator

 

[eddi]

Gator,

after researching the cost (both up front and monthly) and comparing it to the benefits, I have decided not to upgrade. I am going to use the money to change my other 125 from fresh to salt and get a nice skimmer.

Let me know what you get and how you like the new lights please. Feel free to e-mail me if you prefer.


Eddi

 

[repstein]

Why are you dumping your PC's. Why just not add MH to your PC? Anyways I run the 10K German bulbs.

++Russ

 

[eddi]

Russ,

I am not dumping them at all. I have 6 36", 96W bulbs, 4 10k, 2 actinic. I wanted to upgrade to MH because the acros I have do not show their colors well. I built a hood for them so don't have any room to add MH. I will keep what I have.

Eddi