Trying to decide on new MH lighting

[christyf5]

I'm bored. Lets start a poll! :razz:

My 90 needs a little something. More specifically, lighting. Quite possibly either more of it or just a change to a different color temperature. Between the crapped out actinics and the loss in SPS color, the tank is looking pretty yellowy.

So basically, I'm thinking about either upgrading to new ballasts whether they be 250W or 400W. Currently I'm tied to 250w H37 ballasts which only run Iwasaki 6500K. While I haven't really had a problem with them in the past, I'm kind of getting tired of that yellowy look and have been thinking about moving up to 10000K

I dunno, is 2x400w overkill on a 90?

Oh the other hand, Ice Cap could give me a sweet deal on a new VHO ballast and this could all be moot (yeah sure like thats gonna happen :rolleyes: :razz: ).

[Invigor]

m80's all the way with megachrome 13000k bulbs :mrgreen:

[Ruth]

Upgrade ballasts and go with Geisemann bulbs! Awesome.

[Ruth]

Oh and go to Mexico too - get that Visa smokin'

[christyf5]

hehe the visa is already a melted puddle on the floor after burning out the magnetic strip last year :razz;

[cprowler]

I have Advance M58 ballasts and was running 6,500K Iwasaki's and switched to 10,000K XM's and love the difference. I don't know anything about your H37 ballasts, if you need new bulbs anyway it's worth a shot.

The yellowy look was driving me crazy. :biggrin:

Here are some pics, the are a bit over exposed especially the first one.

6,500K Iwasaki's

http://www.zld.ca/reef/65K.jpg


10,000K XM's

http://www.zld.ca/reef/10K.jpg

[christyf5]

The H37 ballasts are mercury vapor ballasts and they are specifically designed to run the Iwasaki bulbs. I didn't know that when I got them but it was a good deal so it doesn't matter.

Heh, you know if you just scroll down so that you can't see the second photo, the first picture doesn't look all that bad. Of course compared to the second picture now I want 10000K bulbs! :razz:

Yeah this poll is prompted by the fact that I'll probably need new bulbs soon. The iwasakis can go for up to 2 years, I usually replace them every 18 months or so but I figure Merry Christmas to me (again) :wink:

[cprowler]

Ok, I voted for new ballasts. :biggrin:

[StirCrazy]

HQI ballast and cheep 10K single ended bulbs is the way to go :mrgreen:

Steve

[props]

full radiums for my vote =o) 400watters

[reeferaddict]

I voted for Mexico... need someone to babysit all those frags while you're gone? :idea: :lol:

If ya want to try, I have a spare 250W PFO that will run whatever you want to try ... you just need to find a bulb...

[muck]

full radiums for my vote =o)

Im thinking of going radium on my new tank as well. After seeing some of the colors Jonathan (Canadian_man) had in his 230G tank (now no more) Im seriously thinking about it.

Ive also heard good things about the Hamilton 14K bulbs.
From what I hear most people who try them are very happy with them.

Christy are you running VHO actinics as well? or will it just be MH..??

[muck]

Also upgrade to a couple HQI Ballasts.. :mrgreen:

[christyf5]

I don't really know what I'm doing. I was sort of planning on just going with VHO and stick with the iwasakis. Then the Ice Cap ballast I bought crapped out. I've sent it in to Ice Cap and maybe they can magically repair it for cheap and I'll just do that. I have a feeling the ballast really is toast though or they'll charge me an arm and a leg. If that happens I'll probly just do MH for now. I've hooked up the old NO ballast I had running previously but it doesn't seem to be working properly either. Anyhoo, I was thinking if I got a decent kelvin bulb I wouldn't have to worry about it. I'll probly go with the 10000K XM bulb. I was checking them out at J&L and it was the one I liked best. I'll definitely be going with the HQI ballasts :biggrin:

[crusty1]

There is nowhere on the poll to select new bulbs. Personally I don't like the look of 6500K bulbs. I would try finding the bluest set of 14000k bulbs you can find. It will save you a ton of money, and the tank will look crisper, and the corals will light up with color.
I just bought a PFO with hamilton DE 250W 14k bulbs. It is a lot bluer, than my Arcadia 250W 14k with NO actininc lighting.
Talk to Hidden Reef, they are awesome!

[christyf5]

Oh I'm definitely going with new bulbs, it was just a matter of whether I should stick with 250W or upgrade to 400W. I'm not really one for the blue, I think I'll just stick to 10000k :biggrin:

[cprowler]

Since you put up a poll do you have to do what ever the outcome is?

400W isn't looking so good. :biggrin:

[christyf5]

Since you put up a poll do you have to do what ever the outcome is?

400W isn't looking so good. :biggrin:

Nah, I was bored and polls are fun :wink: I just thought I'd get some fellow reefers ideas on whether 400W was overkill. I think Props was the only one that was pro-400. I have a chiller so 400W wouldn't be a problem except for the electric bill. I think a couple of 250w HQI ballasts and XM 10K bulbs will be the way to go :biggrin: Now I just have to save my pennies :cool:

[cprowler]

Since you put up a poll do you have to do what ever the outcome is?

400W isn't looking so good. :biggrin:

Nah, I was bored and polls are fun :wink: I just thought I'd get some fellow reefers ideas on whether 400W was overkill. I think Props was the only one that was pro-400. I have a chiller so 400W wouldn't be a problem except for the electric bill. I think a couple of 250w HQI ballasts and XM 10K bulbs will be the way to go :biggrin: Now I just have to save my pennies :cool:


Are you sure it's not because "Stay with 250s but get new ballasts" is winning. :mrgreen:

I agree with what you are saying, I like your thinking. :cool:

[EmilyB]

Yup those HQI ballasts open up a whole new world. :mrgreen:

[Invigor]

I'll definitely be going with the HQI ballasts


yayyyy! :mrgreen: