question re. Aquaspacelight

[scwilich]

My 2 X 150 Aquaspacelight, with Aqualine 10000 bulbs, is making a pretty loud humming sound. Is that normal?

Is it possible that it's due to the bulbs being put in the wrong way (upside down or backwards?); or do the bulbs not have a "right" way?

Thanks much,

Sebastian

 

[scwilich]

Can anyone comment on this? At least more generally, do MH bulbs have a "right" side up?

thanks!

sebastian

 

[yabby]

They do have to be in the correct way. The exhaust
port in the middle of the bulb (a little nib) must point down.

I would also check the "electrodes" ie what you plug the bulb into. They are spring loaded , take the blub out, push them together a bit, then carefully replace the bulb. That may help then hold a little tighter and reduce vibration.

I have ushio bulbs on mine, noticed a little hum when I first used them - none now., perhaps it went away with usage.

 

[scwilich]

By down do you mean towards the water or towards the fixture? I ask because when I install the bulbs the fixture is on the floor and facing up, so down when installing is the opposite of down when suspended over tank...

thanks much!

sebastian

 

[scwilich]

In an old thread from reefcentral (, someone says the nipple should point up! So, can someone give a definitive response, and say up or down in relation to what?

Thanks.

Sebastian

Reefcentral thread follows:

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you won't go wrong with these lights. they're very well made and throw off very nice & bright light.

i used to have the Aquastarlight 2 x 150W with a separate Aquabluelight 2 x 24W. They do get very hot but like you said, if you hang them off the ceiling the heat will not affect you tank temp that much. the nice side effect is they will heat your room instead!

i can't help you on the vendors or prices cause I live in Europe and got them here.

>3. Can I run the actinics and the HQI's on separate timers with this fixture?

yes

>Can I run each HQI bulb on separate timers? <

no

>BTW, this will be going over a 125g tank. I plan on housing mostly SPS corals in this tank. Right now I only have a couple of softies in there.<

you'll be fine.

i'm not sure but i don't think the transformers are electronic. maybe you should call up and ask. electronic transformers are more economical if power consumption is an issue for you.

btw, i'm sure you know this, the nipples on the HQI bulbs should point up.

 

[Carpentersreef]

Do a search for spacelight on this forum.
Topic's been brought up before.

I've got the spacelight, but with 250w double ended HQI's. They can only be put in one way. Mine has the electronic ballast. No hum. Older models used the separate tar ballast, and I've heard that they hum. (probably 'cause they don't know the words)

Mitch