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View Full Version : Decent/Budget mh retro


Wizzzy
03/15/2011, 08:29 PM
Hey yall i have a 55g and im about to upgrade to a 90g. 37x19x29 im running 2 175w ebay mh i bought 2 years ago and wanting to upgrade/update. Just need some info on some new mh in my budget. im looking at http://www.catalinaaquarium.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=1454

but i dont know much about the them. but the price seem right.

my budget is 300 dallors let me know what yall think
thanks rob

Wizzzy
03/15/2011, 08:40 PM
btw im also looking at hellolights retro kit but they dont come with bulbs.

125G Reefer
03/15/2011, 08:54 PM
http://cgi.ebay.com/double-250watt-metal-halide-fixture-/280644530132?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4157b7afd4
http://cgi.ebay.com/Two-250-Watt-Metal-Halide-Bulbs-Ballasts-Bonus-/260748590360?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cb5d3bd18
http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Hydroponic-250-Watt-Metal-Halide-Grow-Light-/120685083728?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c19643c50
I dont' much care for one ballast running both lights. One side can die, then what?? You gotta buy another duo unit? No, buy single ones, much cheaper.

Wizzzy
03/15/2011, 09:07 PM
Thanks for the reply. im kinda looking for something new. the 3 link is what i already have but 175w im looking at the hellolight retro but it gonna put me over :( i just dont want junk know what i mean? btw i need 2x250w

tkeracer619
03/15/2011, 09:46 PM
http://www.aquacave.com/blue-wave-2-dual-250w-metal-brhalide-retro-kit-2407.html

$300 w free shipping. On sale.

Comes with coralvue bulb stock. Get the 20k if you go that route.

I would pay the $12 extra for reeflux 12k or $22 extra for reeflux 12k. Its a decent bulb.

The reflectors are less then perfect but it will absolutely grow coral in a 90g tank. You can always get better reflectors down the road. They are about $110 each. Ballast has a 2 year warranty.

$90 more gets you a galaxy ballast w/5 year warranty. One of the better ballasts out there.
http://www.aquacave.com/galaxy-dual-250w-metal-halide-brretro-kit-with-electronic-ballast-1595.html


I agree 125G Reefer... I would rather have two ballasts then one dual ballast. But... you asked for budget and two ballasts is going to cost more.

Wizzzy
03/15/2011, 09:54 PM
Looks like a good deal. even free ship. but that ballast looks huge whats the size of that thing.

tkeracer619
03/15/2011, 10:01 PM
They are pretty big but they work just fine. They have been around for a while.

Wizzzy
03/15/2011, 10:02 PM
how does the sunlight supply compare to the hellolights kit?

tkeracer619
03/15/2011, 10:31 PM
Both good setups. Comparable. The blue wave is just on sale right now and is usually a little brighter.

ARO is electronic

SS is pulse start M80

Wizzzy
03/15/2011, 10:49 PM
Would the hellolight kit be better bc it will use two ballasts rather than the ss kit only using one ballast to fire both?

tkeracer619
03/15/2011, 11:08 PM
The SS is two individual ballasts in the same case.

Wizzzy
03/15/2011, 11:19 PM
ok thanks for clearing that up. i was a lil confused. thanks.