Need advice on which MH to use

[patm]

I've finally decided I'd like to upgrade my lighting to metal halides, but don't even know where to start looking for them, or which one to get. My tank measures 30 in. long, 22 in. deep and 12 in. wide. I'm looking to keep soft corals and some hard corals like hammers, frogspawn, brains, etc, but none of the stony corals. I'm thinking I should go with a 175 watt, but am open to other suggestions. I'd like to go 10,000 K also. I'm wondering first of all, if this would be ok.

Second is where to go to get one. I'm looking to spend $250-300 topps. Also, I'm awful at assembling retrofits and things, so if possible I'd like to get a unit where I don't have to do any wiring for the ballast and things.

Does anyone have any suggestions on who carries the best halides? I've seen the ones on the big sites like petsolutions and such, but everything they have are big units that are even more expensive than the ones my LFS is offering.

Lastly, can someone explain the difference between the European and German bulbs to me, if there is any?

Thanks to everyone in advance,

Pat

 

[Anonymous]

Look at Premium Aquatics and Marine Depot sites for the best prices. I would go with PFO ballasts. Ushio 10k bulb is great. You can buy components since DIYing them is nothing like VHO (mess of wires) you just plug the components together. You do have to have some kind of wood canopy or something to screw them into, though. Don't know if you can manage it at that price though; one bulb or two?

 

[Len]

Check out www.inverts.com too. Like Premium and Marine Depot, Coral Reef Aquarium is one of our sponsors and carries a very nice and unique lighting product line. I'd check out the 150Wx1 Aqualine pendant as well as the Sunlight Supply lights. Both are complete packages with the best refelctors and build quality on the market. You will not be disappointed, I promise you that. A little more pricey (300-350 range) but well worth it.

European metal halides (e.g. Hungarian bulbs) aren't built to the same standards as German (Ushio and Aqualine) halides. All bulbs have signficant design differences, and the two German 10KK halides have proven to be the best in terms of spectral output, intensity, and reliability.