The upgrade!

[Jack]

Well it seems like it was enevitable but I just had to get a bigger tank. I ran out of room and all I have are small colonies and frags.

It's a SeaStar 120g and it should be up and running in a few days.

http://www.canreef.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=572

[Aquattro]

sucker for punishment, eh? :razz:

[Jack]

:lol:

Now I'm not sure if I want to go to 400's... then 400's mean chiller. Ah well, it's only money. :eek:

[Aquattro]

Jack, as long as your suite doesn't get too warm in the summer, you could probably get by without a chiller. But then some people think 400w are a waste of watts anyway, so maybe just go with 250w. Sure, they're girl lights, but some people like them ! :razz:

[Jack]

Don't make me!!

[Aquattro]

Don't make me!!

I wouldn't think of making you. If you want girl lights, you go right ahead!!

[StirCrazy]

Don't make me!!

I wouldn't think of making you. If you want girl lights, you go right ahead!!

:rolleyes:

[Jack]

400's it is. :wink:

[StirCrazy]

400's it is. :wink:

so when does your chiller arive :mrgreen:

[Jack]

Doh!

Look what you guys are doing to me. :razz:

[StirCrazy]

Doh!

Look what you guys are doing to me. :razz:

get good HQI ballast and 250 watt AB's then you'll make all the 400 watt bulbs out there look like little school girl bulbs :mrgreen:

[Aquattro]

Jack, you knew Steve would try to sell you his girl lights, right? Listen to real reefers...go big or go home!! Besides, chillers are cool!

[Jack]

250 HQI DE setups are just way too expensive.

We'll see what I can do.

[golden69_ca]

i have a chiller for you :biggrin:

[Jack]

Awesome. Thanks Aaron. Get in touch with me I don't have your #'s.

[Jaws]

Is there a pretty good chance you'll need a chiller if you're running 400W? What advantage do you get running 400W's over 250W's if the k rating is the same?

[Bartman]

What are you going to do with your old tank?

[Jason McK]

Is there a pretty good chance you'll need a chiller if you're running 400W? What advantage do you get running 400W's over 250W's if the k rating is the same?

K rating has very little to do with anything other than esthetic's.
400W will produce more intense light further into the tank.

[StirCrazy]

Is there a pretty good chance you'll need a chiller if you're running 400W? What advantage do you get running 400W's over 250W's if the k rating is the same?

K rating has very little to do with anything other than esthetic's.
400W will produce more intense light further into the tank.

it also depends weather you are talking about a normal 250 watt or a HQI 250 watt. In my opinion depending on the bulb a 250 watt HQI set up will have more intensity than 90% of the 400 watt setups.

Steve

[Acro]

Steve, Can you show me proof that 90% of 250's have more intensity then 400's ? I have yet to read any data that states this. Only that for the slight increase the 400's offer 250's are a energy wise choice.

[Jack]

What are you going to do with your old tank?

Want it? :mrgreen:

[StirCrazy]

Steve, Can you show me proof that 90% of 250's have more intensity then 400's ? I have yet to read any data that states this. Only that for the slight increase the 400's offer 250's are a energy wise choice.

ok you missed part of the quote. 250 watt HQI, not just 250 watt and also
I said "depending on the bulb"..

um for ones I have tested ya.. I have tested 4, 400 watt set ups now and they were all lower then what I got on my AB's. I the only one that was close was a iwasaki and I think if it would have had a better reflector it would have been higher.

I have not found a bulb that gives me as high as a number as the SE AB's and I would not say this would be true using SA, ushio, XM ect.. as I have not tried those bulbs. But I know the 250 radium run on a HQI ballast puts out more PAR than a 400 watt radium on a son agro ballast by almost 20%....

Steve

[Acro]

So what you are saying is you've tested 4-400 setups? Are you stating that you tested these bulbs at others homes or in a controlled testing enviroment? Using same reflector as well as same distance/angle of bulb to testing device? I never missed any of your quote, I've just never read anything that would suggest your statement is true.

a 250 watt HQI set up will have more intensity than 90% of the 400 watt setups
What 90% are you refering to?

[Namscam]

I think hes refering to 90% of all the 400watters out there... i dont think he means its 90% more intense..

[Acro]

Richie, I do understand what Steve is saying, Again I just don't agree with him.

[Snoop Dog]

Jack... Good work!!

Are you adding anymore hardware with the upgrade?

[LostMind]

Lookin nice Jack :)

[sumpfinfishe]

You better be getting a second job for all that salt, or Wendell's paying you too much :razz:

[BCOrchidGuy]

Jack I've ordered a Hamilton 250w DE HQI set up, $325. If you want to see it let me know. (hope to have it soon).

Doug

[smokinreefer]

hey doug,
care to share more info on your 250W HQI set up?
is it a pendant? come with bulb? what k rating?
$325 all in (tax/shipping)?
thnx :mrgreen:

[BCOrchidGuy]

it's a hamilton enclosed pendant with a 14,000k bulb, there seems to be some trouble with shipping but when it comes in I'll let you know what it's like.

Doug

[Jack]

Did the switch... long day. Pics to come. :mrgreen:

[smokinreefer]

cool.
you shoulda called me, i coulda helped ya out.

[smokinreefer]

doug my man,
you get your hamilton yet?
i'm itchin to see them 14k DEs!

[BCOrchidGuy]

Shao, No I had to put that on hold, they did come in though and the unit looked awesome. A new transimission in the car took care of my lighting project for a short while. I'll find out if he still has the unit in stock though. BTW, They did get in a number of DE bulbs and some mogul bulbs.

Doug