Upgrade 150 to 250 MH

Glennrf38 · #1 09-21-2009, 01:07 PM

Does anyone know of any instructions to change a 24" Corallife Aqualight Pro 150 W over to a 250 W? Or even if it can be done SAFELY?

I'm not in a big hurry but it is something I have been thinking about......

Binare · #2 09-21-2009, 01:50 PM

For how much a ballast, bulb holder and bulb will cost ya, I'd just sell yours and get another one.

Glennrf38 · #3 09-21-2009, 01:59 PM

I was wondering about that..... hmmmmm oh well..... Thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by Binare

For how much a ballast, bulb holder and bulb will cost ya, I'd just sell yours and get another one.

mseepman · #4 09-21-2009, 03:39 PM

In my opinion, I got more benefit from a lower cost by modding the Coralife to have T5HO's instead of the PC's.

Here's my mod thread. http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=40368

You could use the current ballasts that are in there driving the PC's to probably drive the T5's

mike31154 · #5 09-21-2009, 03:45 PM

I'd advise against messing with a higher power MH in a fixture designed for a certain wattage. With MH you're talking a point source of light and heat concentrated in a relatively small area. Although a well designed commercial fixture will have a certain degree of safety engineered in there, upping the wattage to that degree could be a fire hazard, especially if the ballasts are housed inside the fixture as well.

mseepman · #6 09-21-2009, 05:42 PM

The ballasts on the Coralifes are external, except for the PC ballasts. I've heard of guys doing this before but I just haven't heard them being very happy with the result.

Binare · #7 09-21-2009, 06:14 PM

Plus, the bulbs are a different length no? Needing new holders as well if they are and maybe even trimming back the reflector.

mseepman · #8 09-21-2009, 06:25 PM

That's really why people haven't been happy with the change in the past and why I went with a change to the PC's instead.

Stevey87 · #9 09-23-2009, 06:44 PM

I called JL about this exact question and they said one of their employees tried to upgrade 150W Aqualight Pro to 250W and they had lots of problems and told me it's very dangerous.

Glennrf38 · #10 09-23-2009, 08:11 PM

Thanks everyone. I am now concidering this a closed matter for me. Thanks for the advice