DIY Metal Halide question(s)

[bradhass87]

I finally have the funds to get my 120g up and going. I am looking at modifying my t5 fixture to work as the actinic lighting and I plan on putting MH in it.

So my question(s) is as follows what wattage should I be looking at and where can I get the cheapest setup? I know it won't be the best quality but I can upgrade later, right now I just want to get it up and running.

To run two bulbs will I need two ballasts?

(Right now the tank is sitting on the floor and I am posting this as I leave to go get the lumbar for the stand.)

[psulion]

You will need two single ballasts or a dual ballast to run two bulbs. I have 250 watt bulbs over my 120 and I think that's plenty for LPS and softies. Some may chime in that 400 watt for SPS is better. Tar ballasts will be cheaper to buy but electronic ballasts will be cheaper to run because of less electricity to operate. I have ice cap electronic ballasts. I have a spare single PFO 250 watt ballast with socket and cords with a 6 month old 10K bulb if you are interested but you'll need another single setup.

[O&J'sdad]

I would try to find 250 watts. I have 2 250s over my 120 with DIY reflectors and sometimes I think it is to much light. If you find single end and need some bulbs I have a few different old kinds you could have to get started.

[skanderson]

i would suggest you look for used 250 watt ballasts and reflectors. you can diy good reflectors but you need to buy the ballasts. i would go with the newer digital ballasts over the old tar ones. i think you can get them cheap enough used nowadays if you keep your eyes open on the used equiptment forums here and on reef central. good reflectors will make all the difference. will 2 mh be enough? that depends on your tank dimensions and how intensely you want to light the whole tank. usual rule of thumb is one mh bulb per 2 feet .you could probably get away with 2 over a 6 foot tank but the coverage wouldnt be even.

[bradhass87]

I am planning on using two 175w halides with 4 t5's. I'm thinking about doing 20k halides with 2 6.5k t5's and 2 pure actinic t5's. Does anyone think this will work or am I going to be the guinea pig?

Also what is the hierarchy of lights (i.e. best to worst) between, xm, hamilton, icecap, coralife, coralvue and aquamedic.


Thanks,

Brad

[danb0102]

Hey Brad, I'm using 2 175 20k mh with 2x65 10k and 2x65 atinic vho's on my 90g setup. I'm thinking of upgrading my vho's to t5's. I like the color balance I get with this variation and my corals are growing nicely. I heard through the grape vine that you can buy 48" t5 setups at Menards for cheap and they would be perfect for a retro. That's where I'm headed as soon as I feel the need to upgrade. I would almost consider squeezing in another 175mh for your 120 if your planing on having alot of sps. If your sticking with mostly lps your probably fine with what your thinking. Also here is a link that can be helpful in picking a brand of bulb.

http://www.cnidarianreef.com/lamps.cfm

Hope this helps,
Dan

[bradhass87]

thanks for the info! My 120 is only 48"x24" and I mainly like LPS's so I'm hoping that 2 175s will be ok. I thought about three but the third would be right above the brace and the brace is almost 3 inches wide rendering it almost useless.

[skanderson]

i am under the impression, which might be wrong that 175 watt mh arent as efficient as the 250s. the best place to check on this is to look up sanjays results on parr and efficiency on different bulb, ballast, and wattage combinations. cant remember where it was but im sure you could find in by googling sanjay metal halide ballast testing.

[Sula]

It all depends on the bulb/ballast combo - I agree that you should research Sanjay's lighting information.
I use 175w IceCap ballasts with 15K Iwasaki bulbs - the combo has a PAR better than many 250w setups.

[bradhass87]

Is there any reason I should have a piece of glass betweent the bulbs and the water?

Also how high off the water should I plan on having the bulbs?

[O&J'sdad]

The double end bulbs need a uv shield. I would make them a foot above to start with. Are you having a canopy? If you can try to make it so the lights are adjustable. When I switched from 14k hamiltons to 10k xm it was a heck of a difference in PAR.

[bradhass87]

yes I am going to have a canopy. I am going to be using mogul socket 175w's (2) and somewhere in the range of 14k-20k. I have yet to decide which brand of bulb to go with.

[O&J'sdad]

I have heard the iwaski 15k bulbs are about the best you can get in 175 watt.

[ultimatemusky]

I have a 3/175 ballast and a couple of homemade mogul bases/fixtures/cords that I would be willing to part with if you are still looking.....Sorry just saw it was a 4 foot 120.

[bradhass87]

I have heard the iwaski 15k bulbs are about the best you can get in 175 watt.

Yeah I saw that on the website that was mentioned earlier, but they are expensive!

I have a 3/175 ballast and a couple of homemade mogul bases/fixtures/cords that I would be willing to part with if you are still looking.....Sorry just saw it was a 4 foot 120.

Thanks for the consideration, but I have one lined up I just have to fix my car to drive to madison.

I hit a curb the other morning with my car so I have to get it in and replace the wheel and what ever else I bent. (atleast I'm a mechanic so I won't be out a ton)