lighting questions..

[Noodus]

ok, i'm addicted... i'm running power compacts on my 72 bow front. i looking to make an upgrade. a major worry of mine is space on top of my tank. i've been looking at a lot of these metal halide hoods and they start at 11.5 in width. is there anything smaller? sould i go metal halide over t-5? what wattage should i be aiming for 150,175,or 250. i have a budget of around $500. please help me out with suggestions. thanks

 

[herman]

Hey noodus!! Here is a short but good guide to lighting. Just keep hitting next and keep reading. Remember, its just a guide. There are exceptions to every rule. Once you made a decision on which way you want to go. Post again here with what you want too keep and we can guide you further.
Regards,
Herman

 

[fritz]

Personally I would go with a retrofit if you can. Then again you could always go with one of these:
http://www.hellolights.com/250wahqirelo.html
I've heard that the 14k bulb works real well as a standalone. (No need for actinic addition).
I've got no personal experience with this though so perhaps someone can chime in. :scratch:

 

[Sean]

I would look into 250 HQI insted of mogul base sockets the bulbs are smaller and you should be able to find a slimmer hood.
careful of the brand a lot of the cheaper brands can't handle the heat so well and short out or burn out. If your looking to save money build your own canopy out of wood and buy a retro fit unit. don't forget cooling fans.

 

[Noodus]

thanks for all the quick replies!! herman i read the lighting site and i've decided metal halide 250w with maybe one actinic pc. i already have a oceanic canopy. is there a way i could still use it with a retrofit? and how hard are there things to setup. i'm not exactly the best do it yourself kind of person(i'm not the worst either).

 

[Noodus]

fritz, i love your avatar. cracked me up

 

[fritz]

hahaha

thanks.:wink1:

 

[herman]

thanks for all the quick replies!! herman i read the lighting site and i've decided metal halide 250w with maybe one actinic pc. i already have a oceanic canopy. is there a way i could still use it with a retrofit? and how hard are there things to setup. i'm not exactly the best do it yourself kind of person(i'm not the worst either).

As long as youre not the worst its ok! I see the site helped. The 250 is a good choice for your tank/ But rather than using PC lighting, go with the T5. They are very easy to mount . I definitely agree with Sean on the HQI instead of moguls.

In my 92g corner, I use 2x250w HQI with Ushio 10K (reefoptixIII and blueline VII) supplemented by 4x24T5aquablues. Its bright as hell but it works really well. You will have an easier time with the T5 cause you can opt for a longer bulb on either side of the halides.

As far as bulb choices, I recommend you look at verious tanks and see what you like. Stay away from the cheap bulbs. They are either yellow or dont burn long.

I dont know if Stingnyc has pics, but I was there when he switched his 10k reeflux with the !0k ABs. Twice as bright without the yellow. From what I hear his tank is exploding with growth right now!

 

[Noodus]

ok i'm still lost... i know i want 2x250 hqi mh and 1 t-5 actinic. i need it to be slim... i don;t know what brand names i should be looking for. what blubs i should use. where i could maybe find a custon hood or something like that. i can't build a canopy cause i have a bow front. unless someone knows of a canopy maker that makes bow front canopies for a reasonable price. thanks again for all of your inputs