Aqualight Pro or Something else

[layer3switchguy]

Hey guys,

Looking for some advice as to which would be the better choice, the Aqualight Pro 250w fixture or a custom designed one from PFO with PFO ballast, etc... Either way, I plan to use an Ushio 10K bulb for my mixed reef tank...

Whats my best bang for the buck?

Thanks,
L3

[unclereefer]

I'm not sure what would be more cost effective, but asthetically the aqualight pro is nice and clean looking if you plan to go without a canopy.

[Reefjunkee]

I have an aqualight pro 150 that I converted into a 250 and love it.

[Reefrock]

How did you convert the 150W Aqualight to a 250? Did you have to replace the ballasts along with the bulbs?

[Jayreefer]

Also intereasted on how. Sorry to hijack the thread.

[db_triggerfish]

also tagging

[xenon]

I would love to convert my 150w to 250w. DETAILS!!!

[Reefrock]

Ok..while we are discussing this fixture...has anyone replaced the existing Coralife 10K bulbs with a higher Kelvin bulb like a 14K...I was also thinking of going that direction.,..Thanks!

[pjf]

I would look for a MH-T5 combo instead of a MH-PC combo. PC lighting produces ~60 lumens per watt whereas T5-HO lighting produces ~90 lumens per watt.

Now, you might be able to use the PC & MH together as a heater but that's another story:)

[Blinkgyrl2987]

I plan on getting the Aqualight Pro the 36" version with the 1-150 watt MH and 2-65 watt actinics. It seems really nice from what I've heard. Going above my 40 G breeder.

The 14 K and 20 K bulbs probably look nice, I know it comes with the 10K though.

I'm tagging along too.

[d4a2n0k]

Premium Aquatics sells the silver 24" Maristar at a VERY good price in their clearance section. I just picked up the 24". It came with 1 x 250w Blue Wave III HQI ballast and 2 x 24w T5's. Bulbs were a 14k Phoenix and a pair of actinic T5 bulbs. I ended up buying the UVI Super Actinics. The Maristars have the Reef Optix reflectors so that is another plus.

The silver line has been discontinued but they are going for almost half of what the black ones do. They still have the full warranty as well.

[Reefrock]

bump

[pjf]

You are better off with a MH-T5 combination than a MH-PC combination. PC lighting generates ~60 lumens per watt. The 24-watt T5HO generates 83 lumens per watt and offers better bulb choices.

Something to look at is the Current USA 24” Outer Orbit 1x250w MH, 2x24w 460nm T5, 2x24w 420nm T5, 6xWhite LED & 6xBlue LED (http://www.marineandreef.com/shoppro/metal_OuterOrbit3.htm). I believe that this fixture is a better choice than the MH-PC fixture but it is hard to beat the custom PFO light that you have in mind.

[db_triggerfish]

on ebay really low price
1 MH 150w 4 xT5
http://cgi.ebay.com/24-255w-Current-USA-Outer-Orbit-Metal-Halide-T5-Strip_W0QQitemZ280056967783QQihZ018QQcategoryZ46314QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem