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Unread 03/26/2010, 06:31 PM   #1
J_Bones
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WTB 36" Metal Halide! Suggestions??

I am looking for a 36" Metal Halide light fixture. Does anyone have one or does anyone have any suggestions on where the best place to buy one would be? Thanks!!


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Unread 03/26/2010, 06:44 PM   #2
fatrip
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the cheapest and best IMO would be to make a hood and DIY one. more flexibility and better out come for less money.

but if you are set on buying one this is a decent one. http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.co...3&pcatid=12113

this is a nice one too, a bit better cause it runs t-5 which you have more control over actinic color as apposed to the power compacts.
http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.co...4&pcatid=20394


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Unread 03/26/2010, 06:50 PM   #3
J_Bones
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How hard is it to make one? Never done it before. I'm setting up a frag tank. Thanks!!


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Unread 03/26/2010, 06:55 PM   #4
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does it need to look pretty? if not just get a reflector and a piece of 3/4 ply wood and hang it over the frag tank. if yo need actinics just get a retro fit t-5 kit that you can mount to the 3/4 ply wood. if it does need to look pretty than you just need to make a wooden box that fits ontop of the tank.


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Unread 03/26/2010, 09:03 PM   #5
J_Bones
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It doesn't have to look pretty. I might have to try that. Thanks for the help!!


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Unread 03/26/2010, 09:24 PM   #6
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np hello lights usually has nice cheap retro fit kits. what size tank is it?


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Unread 03/26/2010, 09:39 PM   #7
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It's a 30 gallon breeder. It is 36x18x12. Do you think 150 Watts is enough or do I need 250? I mostly have Zoanthids in my frag tank right now with 150 watts. Thanks!!



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Unread 03/26/2010, 10:36 PM   #8
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is it DE? i would go with SE 175 first choice, but if you can get the coverage with the DE 150 id use it.


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Unread 03/26/2010, 10:57 PM   #9
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I have an 18" light that is 150W DE with 2 x 14W T5 HO. Do you think that would be enough?


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Unread 03/26/2010, 11:34 PM   #10
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Best bet would be to sell that and get a retro fit 175mh. depending on funds i would get electronic ballast http://www.hellolights.com/index.asp...PROD&ProdID=64 $125.00 vs mag ballast, less efficient http://www.hellolights.com/index.asp...PROD&ProdID=65 $80.00. then depending on fund as well as if you are doing this frag tank to take pics out of and sell them, actinics would be a must have. http://www.hellolights.com/index.asp...OD&ProdID=1350 $100.00.


if you dont have the funds to go with the actinics get a higher K bulb like 14,000k if you are going with actinics go with a 12,000k or 10,000k, personally i like XM 10,000k. for the actinic t-5 bulbs, if you are doing zoa's and are taking in tank photos to sell on the net go with one true actinic, doesnt matter the brand and one Korallen-Zucht fiji purple. will make the zoas pop.

if you are just growing novicely and dont have the fund i would go with the MH and maybe one of these for picture times http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.co...5&pcatid=18485 460nm, makes the colors look like candy...

see almost edible


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Unread 03/27/2010, 07:37 AM   #11
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Wait, you already have 150W MH over a 30 Gallon breeder with only zoanthids?? IMO that is more than enough.... I wouldnt buy anything more. if anything just longer actinics to replace the 2 x 14W T5 HO, but even that isnt necessary.


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Unread 03/27/2010, 09:52 AM   #12
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I have my 150W over a 10 gallon right now but I just ordered a 30 Breeder from ABC & I wasn't sure if that would be enough light if I just turned it sideways. Maybe I'll try that for now. I replaced the stock bulb with a Phoenix 14K. Maybe I'll upgrade later if I get into different stuff. Having fun with the Zoo's for now. Thanks for the help guys!!


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Unread 03/27/2010, 11:58 AM   #13
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with the breader foot print you'll only be able to light the middle of the tank with that small reflector behind the 150. maybe get away with a larger reflector to cover the tank, but you'll only have use of the center of the tank. but when it comes in you'll see that.


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Unread 03/27/2010, 12:21 PM   #14
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Kinda what I thought. Maybe I'll buy another small one to put beside it. Thanks!!


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Unread 03/27/2010, 12:50 PM   #15
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np look at retros for 150mh on hello lights.


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Unread 04/01/2010, 07:23 PM   #16
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I was thinking about going with a T5 fixture. Maybe the Current USA Nova Extreme Pro. It has 6 39W T5 bulbs. I can get this for under $300 shipped. Bulbs will last longer. I think this should be enough light for my Zoo's. Then maybe I can try some different bulb combos. What do you think?? Thanks!!


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Unread 04/01/2010, 08:30 PM   #17
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I have used T-5's on the last 2 tanks I've had and it has worked out well. some people like them and others dont.

you really cant beat the nova's, there reflectors are a bit inferior but you get fans and independent light functions. i found one here tho that has a timer built in for all three actinic, reg lighting and night LEDS http://premiumaquatics.com/store/mer...AquaticLife-T5 .


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Last edited by fatrip; 04/01/2010 at 08:39 PM.
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Unread 04/01/2010, 10:56 PM   #18
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I've got it narrowed down to 3. The current usa nova extreme pro 6x39w ($295), the aquaticlife 4x39w with timer ($290), & the wavepoint 4x39w ($235). Any preferences? Thanks!!


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Unread 04/01/2010, 11:14 PM   #19
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would suggest going with a 4 bulb unless you are thinking of upgrading the tank size in the future. also cheaper for bulbs. would steer away form wave point due to no cooling fans. for bulbs i would go with 1 Korallen-zucht fiji purple, 1 ATI aqua blue special, 1 ATI blue plus, and 1 uvl super blue actinic. if you go with 6 bulb, I would double the blue special and super blue actinic.


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Unread 04/11/2010, 08:11 PM   #20
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I ended up going with a 36" 4x39W Tek Light fixture. I followed your advice & ordered the bulbs that you recommended. However, I got an e-mail that they are out of the UVL Super Actinics. They want to substitute an IceCap Actinic 420nm. Is this a good bulb or is there another that you would recommend over this (maybe Giesemann?)? Or should I order the UVL from somewhere else?


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Unread 04/11/2010, 09:59 PM   #21
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who are you ordering from??


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Unread 04/11/2010, 10:02 PM   #22
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the Korallen-zucht super blue 460nm looks good, or the giesemann 420nm. i wouldnt go with the ice brand bulbs.


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Unread 04/12/2010, 05:51 AM   #23
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I ordered it from ABC. Thanks!!


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Unread 04/12/2010, 08:31 AM   #24
fatrip
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no problem


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Unread 04/12/2010, 08:37 AM   #25
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Since this is resolved, I want to sidetrack a little.

Since it's for a frag tank and since it doesn't have to be pretty, why go with higher kelvin bulbs/actinics? Don't coral grow better (though look less attractive) under lower kelvin bulbs?


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Current Tank Info: 38g (mostly LPS) with a 20g sump/fuge and all the other standard goodies
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