Replacing 175 watt MH Bulbs

[captjab]

I have a 125 with some LPS and a few Soft corals. My fixture is this one.
http://www.marineandreef.com/Aqualight_Elite_Series_2x175_Watt_72_inch_Coralife_p/res56010.htm
I know it's not that great of a fixture, but it came with the tank when I purchased it and until I make some extra money it will have to do.

My tank is a flat back Hex that is 51" long and 24" deep. When I bought the tank the fixture came with 10000k plusrite bulbs. I'm not sure the exact age of them, but I know they need replaced. I'm not happy with the way they look at all because they are way to yellow. I'm not sure if this is due to the age or just how the bulbs are.

I have 175 magnetic ballest and want to make sure they will run the bulbs I choose. Here are the ones I am looking at and would love any suggestions on them or other bulbs.
A new fixture is out of the question right now so I will have to live with what I have. Thanks.

XM 175 Watt 15k SE Lamp
Reeflux Mogul Base Halide Lamp 175 Watt 12000K

[captjab]

Anyone?

[captjab]

I've read the reeflux will not work with certain magnetic ballast. How can I tell if mine is a probe start or pulse start?

[Anemonebuff]

Iwasaki 15K was the best bulb I ever used on my 175w Hamiliton Magnetic ballast.

[captjab]

Thanks, do you know if your old ballast was a probe start or pulse start? I've contacted coralife and mine is a probe start M57. I'm just trying to figure out what bulb will fire best with the M57. Thanks again.

[James77]

The m57 will run the Iwasaki 15k fine, I think it is the ballast it supposed to be run on. Electronic icecaps run them at the highest intensity though, though it will be super bright on m57. +1 on it being a great bulb, one of my favorites. Beautiful white with some blue in there.

[captjab]

I've got two Iwasaki 15000K's on the way. Thanks guys.

[Anemonebuff]

M57. Even though you already ordered. Good luck.

Beware. They are PAR monsters. They give as much PAR as some 400W bulbs. Don't burn your corals!

[captjab]

Thanks for the heads up. I will try to do some before and aftet shots when I install them. What tips can you give me to keep from burning my corals. Shorten the time my halides are on at first and then add a little more time as they get use to the new lights?

[James77]

Reducing time works well, raise the lights if you can. The iwasaki is a smidge more intense than almost all 250w bulbs, but I never had a problem keeping coral with them. But I was also using radiums on hqi ballast which have almost the same par befor them.

[cody6766]

Shorten your time and block light. Many people buy some window screen and put a few layers over the tank to cut it back. Remove one layer a week or so. Work your time increase into the process. Maybe add 30 mins each week, half way between screen removals. The screens are safer than the light cycle reduction, ime

[captjab]

Thanks guys, I'll try those tips.
James were you able to keep any SPS in your 120gl using these 175w bulbs.

[James77]

Oh yeah, they are more than bright enough for that. I have a 4'x2'x2' tank, and I would have no problem keeping any sps anywhere in the tank. But LPS also did fine under them as well. I am planning to switch back to them I think, the super blue bulbs lack real-ness, but the Iwasaki was a perfect blend.

Chack out Sanjays tests(google "sanjay reef lighting") to see how it compares to other bulb/ballasts and PAR and sprectrum.

I was actually planning a frag tank- before I came to my sense :D- that would have been lit by a single Iwasaki 15k over a 3' by 3' tank. Great bulb.

[James77]

Shorten your time and block light. Many people buy some window screen and put a few layers over the tank to cut it back. Remove one layer a week or so. Work your time increase into the process. Maybe add 30 mins each week, half way between screen removals. The screens are safer than the light cycle reduction, ime

+1 to this, more involved than just changing times, but it acutally deals with the intenstiy as well.

[captjab]

I will get some fiberglass screen and build a frame to hold them. I really appreciate all the help and I'm looking forward to get my first sps. James our tanks sound alot a like. Mine is a 125 flat back hex with dimensions pretty close to yours.