Recommended MH Brands?

[MrSkumFrog]

Hello

I've had my 105g 48"x24"x21"T for about 1 year. I'm running 2 Hydra LED fixtures on the extendable AI rails.

I'm not overly impressed. I'm going to switch to T5s or a MH & T5 combo. I've done several hours of forum reading and YouTube watching. I was leaning towards Odyssea lights; however, I'm seeing a lot of red flags now. I've also seen some fixtures that look similar to the Odyssea, but with a different name. So, can you recommend some brands that you could steer me towards? I don't want something that I'll need to modify e.g. Swap out ballasts.
Side note
Do you think 2-250w would be an overkill in a tank that's only 21"t?

[tkeracer619]

What corals do you keep, do you have a full tank shot?

No, I don't think 2x250s are overkill but you may have to remove more heat from the tank than you do now.

How high will you be able to run the halides?

[vpaul79]

Geisemann for the win

[tkeracer619]

Radium 20k 250w with an m80 ballast are just about impossible to beat. More par and they last about 18 months on a set of bulbs. You won't need extra actinic or blue unless you want dusk/dawn. There are some good deals right now. If you can use retrofit stuff you will get better results.

[d2mini]

I have the Radium 250's with m80 ballasts and have been very pleased.
I run a Hamilton Cebu Sun fixture which has the MH bulbs and 4 T5 bulbs for dusk/dawn.
Has worked out great.

[moondoggy4]

Canopy or no canopy?

[Jay Ellul]

Is the radium available in a DE globe?

And how would it perform on a standard HQI ballast in a Giesemann Infinity?

[tkeracer619]

The 250w radium isn't.

Look at the Phoenix 14k, it is similar.

[MrSkumFrog]

What corals do you keep, do you have a full tank shot?

No, I don't think 2x250s are overkill but you may have to remove more heat from the tank than you do now.

How high will you be able to run the halides?

Mixed. I want to get stylo, birdsnest and monti. They just didn't grow too much with my LEDs.
How high can I run them? I sort of want to run them low. The tank is near the TV, if I run the lights too high there may be too much distraction. I also would prefer not to use a chiller. I might have to make some compromises though...
Perhaps I can mount them on my existing AI fixtures.

[Tweaked]

DSA 105 here with 2-250w Radiums on M80 ballasts, 4-t5s, and ReefBrite LEDs with a Cebu Sun fixture. Amazing fixture and coral colors.

http://i1240.photobucket.com/albums/gg485/TweakedS10/ece06d54dc16d5115f6fe6c5ef453620_zps8f3daed4.jpg (http://s1240.photobucket.com/user/TweakedS10/media/ece06d54dc16d5115f6fe6c5ef453620_zps8f3daed4.jpg.html)

[vpaul79]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but you don't have to have m80 ballasts with the radiums. Some of the newer electronic ballasts are HQI rated and can overdrive a radium bulb like an m80

[moondoggy4]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2405972



^^^^ I do not think sirreal63 will come to your house if you don't use a m80 ballast LOL. The M80 ballast is the closets to the spec we have for a 250 radium, you can use what you want.

I remember someone switching from a switchable ballast to a M80 ballast and wondered what all the fuse was about, he did not see much of a difference.

I have purchased M81 and M80 ballast for my lights I will be running Phoniex 14k DE.

[MrSkumFrog]

DSA 105 here with 2-250w Radiums on M80 ballasts, 4-t5s, and ReefBrite LEDs with a Cebu Sun fixture. Amazing fixture and coral colors.

http://i1240.photobucket.com/albums/gg485/TweakedS10/ece06d54dc16d5115f6fe6c5ef453620_zps8f3daed4.jpg (http://s1240.photobucket.com/user/TweakedS10/media/ece06d54dc16d5115f6fe6c5ef453620_zps8f3daed4.jpg.html)

Impressive! Does the temp stay manageable or are you using a chiller?

[MrSkumFrog]

Tweaked, those lights look good!
I'm close to pulling the trigger on those. BRS has 10k with mag ballast for $679 shipped, And Hamilton has M80 ballasts and radium lights for $879 shipped. Perhaps I can read more on the lights tonight at work.

[Tweaked]

Tweaked, those lights look good!
I'm close to pulling the trigger on those. BRS has 10k with mag ballast for $679 shipped, And Hamilton has M80 ballasts and radium lights for $879 shipped. Perhaps I can read more on the lights tonight at work.

Yes I would order from Hamilton direct as you will get the M80 ballasts and bulbs. Reading lol, trust in these bulbs with 4 T5s for additional color supplement. Two t5 bulbs each on their own ballast and an awesome aluminum housing with dual large fans. The ReefBrite LED strips bolt direct to the housing using two unused screws for a really custom look and awesome night time pop.

[Tweaked]

Copied the look from my ReefBrite halide/LED fixture

http://i1240.photobucket.com/albums/gg485/TweakedS10/61f5a022a0f47c03ef07ff2042f9bc68_zps91452a60.jpg (http://s1240.photobucket.com/user/TweakedS10/media/61f5a022a0f47c03ef07ff2042f9bc68_zps91452a60.jpg.html)
http://i1240.photobucket.com/albums/gg485/TweakedS10/C7752C43-4CE6-4F85-8410-427D0B1B3A3B_zps2caofsfh.jpg (http://s1240.photobucket.com/user/TweakedS10/media/C7752C43-4CE6-4F85-8410-427D0B1B3A3B_zps2caofsfh.jpg.html)
http://i1240.photobucket.com/albums/gg485/TweakedS10/88c687b88019b4fbd7b721bac133e7a0_zpsf9509c6e.jpg (http://s1240.photobucket.com/user/TweakedS10/media/88c687b88019b4fbd7b721bac133e7a0_zpsf9509c6e.jpg.html)

[Aslmx]

I'm running radiums with hqi select a watt galaxies and lumenarc 2 reflectors 12" off water. Love them but hate the heat

[MrSkumFrog]

I made my decision! I ordered the 4' Cebu Sun 250x2 & 4-54w T5 with M80 ballasts. Now I wait. It gives me time to figure out how the heck am I going to mount this? Perhaps legs? Maybe I can attach it to my AI rails. There's always the ceiling I suppose...

[Tweaked]

I made my decision! I ordered the 4' Cebu Sun 250x2 & 4-54w T5 with M80 ballasts. Now I wait. It gives me time to figure out how the heck am I going to mount this? Perhaps legs? Maybe I can attach it to my AI rails. There's always the ceiling I suppose...

It's a beast of light and should be hung off the water higher than the legs can go which are too flimsy in my opinion. I went with a Current USA Orbit / SunPod Hanging Kit.

[moondoggy4]

I used to keep my MH 9'' over the water.

[tkeracer619]

Make sure to acclimate your coral!! Thats a beast of a light :)

[MrSkumFrog]

Alright, I'll probably build some light holders with conduit. How far are the hanging eyelets spaced apart on this fixture?

[MrSkumFrog]

Update...

About 2 weeks ago I received my fixture in the mail via UPS. While unboxing, 2 of the corners arrived bent, with 1 having a small crack. There was a small dent in the reflector with one of the sockets bent. Perhaps if it were 1 unnoticeable issue I would let it slide. I don't understand why they even bother with stickers reading FRAGILE, THIS END UP and DO NOT STACK. :headwalls:

What got me was...
I contacted the place I ordered it from. I inquired when they will have more in stock. I was told via live chat. "We probably won't. We've been having issues with them". What does that mean? Not too reassuring. No elaboration. Is it a warranty issue; a supply issue; quality issue? I'm apprehensive now. Needless to say. I got a refund. However I still am in the market for a MH/T5 combo.

[d2mini]

That's crazy. :(
I just got another cebu sun and like the first, it was packed pretty well and was 100% perfect.

Check your PM's...

[biecacka]

250wt single radium on my cube as well


Corey

[Jay Ellul]

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/12/23/9778de3d236707eb55d783bc80dc1a86.jpg

[Kenmx10]

I emailed Hamilton asking what the difference would be running a Radium on the m/Ballast and the electronic ballast. Ill post the reply here for you to read. This was for a 400W, but I would think the 250w would have a similar affect.

The Radium bulb appears slightly more blue on the electronic ballast versus the M135 ballast.

It appears slightly more white on the M135 ballast versus the electronic ballast.

The bulb has slightly higher PAR numbers on the M135 ballast.

The electronic ballast does save electricity and runs fully silent. The M135 has a very
small, subtle noise when it initially comes on then subsides.

The electronic ballast is dimmable and you can set the output to 200 watt / 300 watt / 400 watt
or overdrive it 10% at 440 watts.

[Kenmx10]

Does anyone know the foot print data on the Hamilton Cozumel and Cayman 250w SE reflectors?

[shaggss]

Update...

About 2 weeks ago I received my fixture in the mail via UPS. While unboxing, 2 of the corners arrived bent, with 1 having a small crack. There was a small dent in the reflector with one of the sockets bent. Perhaps if it were 1 unnoticeable issue I would let it slide. I don't understand why they even bother with stickers reading FRAGILE, THIS END UP and DO NOT STACK. :headwalls:

What got me was...
I contacted the place I ordered it from. I inquired when they will have more in stock. I was told via live chat. "We probably won't. We've been having issues with them". What does that mean? Not too reassuring. No elaboration. Is it a warranty issue; a supply issue; quality issue? I'm apprehensive now. Needless to say. I got a refund. However I still am in the market for a MH/T5 combo.


I live in Hong Kong and my 2' Cebu arrived fully intact.

[shaggss]

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/12/23/9778de3d236707eb55d783bc80dc1a86.jpg

Nice setup Jay. Tried to search but couldn't find your build thread. Do you have one? I am setting up now and using a Giesemann infinity too.

[Jay Ellul]

What's a good 250w DE globe on a mag ballast?

[Kenmx10]

Hamilton Cayman Sun Double Ended Metal Halide Reflector

[moondoggy4]

Congrats shaggs on your recent arrival, post some pictures when you get it setup.

Jay more details on your setup I also have a 24'' Infinity light. Also a good bulb or 250 is a Phoenix 14k that is what I have for all my MH lights.