WTT halides for T-5

[vest0830]

I know there are a TON of lurkers that roam around here, so I want to throw this out there.

I'm wanting to trade even up my 500w halide system for a 4 or 6 bulb t-5 system. I'm moving off base within the month and needing to get rid of them.

I love the system, love the shimmer it puts ovetop of the reef, my corals LOVE the light, but I wont love the bill it will bring me off-base.

My system will include:
2) 250w ice-cap ballasts
2) 250w bulbs (which will needed to be replaced soon)
2) ice-cap reflectors
all wiring

EVERYTHING NEEDED TO RUN THE SYSTEM! ITS RUNNING RIGHT NOW!

Anyone interested in trading? Dana? MPS moves quick! Anyone else in mainland... ANYONE!

============================================
If no one wants to trade, its for sale. All I need is enough for a 4 or 6 bulb retro or fixture T-5 system.

[vest0830]

I also have a hamilton 175 retro-fit for sale. New bulb, maybe a month on it. No reflector. $125

[vest0830]

Jeff, are you still interested in trading? I will bring them over this weekend...or ****, even tonight!

[jeffb3t]

What, For my 4 36" t-5's? Uh, OK!!!

[vest0830]

So the T-5's are up in the tank, for sure not halides, but they will work. I think the coral will adjust to them, and the fish are wondering if its a cloudy day. I think im going to put the 175w halide I have in there as well, and see if that helps. I knew they wouldn't be as bright, but its a night and day difference. Going to take some getting used to...

[jeffb3t]

Yeah, the halides are on the clam tank and I was thinking the same thing. Gotta get used to it. The halides are bright but they don't provide the even coverage that T-5's do. I do like the color the 14000K puts out.

[vest0830]

My corals are all responding well, im going to throw that other halide with the 20k bulb in this evening.

[jeffb3t]

Snap a pic and post it up when you do.

[vest0830]

Its in there now. Man, its a 100% difference. Im starting to adjust to it though. My coral is doing great though with it.

[jeffb3t]

Cool, Good to hear that!

[vest0830]

Here she is today, with the T5's and one halide.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/10032110Jan_002.jpg


Here she is with the 500w of halide sitting on top, back in Sept

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/100321Sept_16_004.jpg

My coral though is doing awsome. That could also be from more than 700ppm of calcium though. :p

[jeffb3t]

Wow, looks great. You do notice the difference in the lighting from the pictures though.

[jeffb3t]

Well, Got the denki (electricity)bill today. Running the halides only costs me $25 more to run so it's not as bad as I thought. A full month should only be maybe $30 -$35.

[Dastank]

With all that savings you should buy something nice for Frank! 2 HM lights and reflectors with Ice cap ballast for two 36" 2 bulb Coral Vue T5 lights. One of those ballast cost the same as all the T5s. OUCH!

[vest0830]

I did take the short end of the stick....but im gonna re-do it all anyways. Just gonna take a little bit. I went from 12hrs of 500w of light to 8 hours of t-5 and 3 hours of 175w halide. Tanks doing great though, coral couldnt be happier.

[jeffb3t]

What are you talking about savings??? I pay more now but it is to be expected. I am just scared at the size of the chiller that will be needed to keep the tank cool during the summer... The color more than makes up for it though.