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09-19-2006, 04:46 AM
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#1
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Milpitas (Bay Area), CA
Posts: 110
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Light Questions
Hello all. I'm currently looking for new lighting equipment. I currently have a 175w 20k MH lights but they are currently in the shop(broken right now). My LFS hasn't returned them yet but I'm skeptical on the brand itself. So I'm planning on buying a more reliable lighting brand.
Is there any recommended brands? Right now I'm not worrying about prices, I just want to compare. Also are there any links that discuss the pro's/con's, of alternative light sources. (ex. VHO, PC, etc...) Thank you. 
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09-19-2006, 10:19 AM
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#2
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It can be rebuilt.
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Pittsboro, NC
Posts: 19,158
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what size tank are we talking about? what kind of critters are you looking to keep?
G~
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Think Tanker
Friends Don't Let Friends Use Refugiums!
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"J" crowd member.
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09-20-2006, 08:57 PM
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#3
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Milpitas (Bay Area), CA
Posts: 110
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My tank size is 36x15x15. I still intend to keep the critters I alreayd have (currently in the LFS due to the fact that my lights are broken). They consist of high light animals like Anemones, Torch/Frog/Hammer corals and a couple of softies. I don't intend on keeping any SPS creatures. I mostly have LPS. I also have clams too.
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09-20-2006, 09:53 PM
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#4
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Shark
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Toledo OH
Posts: 4,889
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If your ballast are remote...then you could simply upgrade the balast to a quality brand like ice cap!
2-175 w/ MH's and some PC or VHO for acttinic supplementation should be fine!
What exactly went wrong with your light fixture??
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Nano reef in the works
TIM MADE ME DO IT, Yet Robert made him do it, yet Casey made him do it!
Yet the voices in all their heads made them do it (skeety)
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09-20-2006, 10:33 PM
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#5
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It can be rebuilt.
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Pittsboro, NC
Posts: 19,158
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on a 15" deep tank 2-175w bulbs will be fine.
G~
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Think Tanker
Friends Don't Let Friends Use Refugiums!
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09-21-2006, 09:30 PM
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#6
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Milpitas (Bay Area), CA
Posts: 110
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Ah. Thank you for the input. It seemed that my ballast short-circuited. Only the blue actinic light would work but not the actual MH bulb switch. The bulb itself was fine and still in working condition. I asked if my LFS can do anything about it since I bought it off him. He said he would take it to the manufacturer. That was about 3 weeks ago and I haven't seen it since. @_@ |
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09-26-2006, 02:34 PM
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#7
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Milpitas (Bay Area), CA
Posts: 110
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I don't mean to bring back this post from the dead. But my previous question wasn't asked. =P I can't seem to find any links in the search either. Maybe I'm not putting in the right words. My question is:
Is there a recommended brand for MH lights?
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09-26-2006, 02:37 PM
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#8
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Shark
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Toledo OH
Posts: 4,889
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meaning???-----bulbs, or ballasts, or DIY, or complete units??
__________________
Nano reef in the works
TIM MADE ME DO IT, Yet Robert made him do it, yet Casey made him do it!
Yet the voices in all their heads made them do it (skeety)
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09-26-2006, 02:39 PM
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#9
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Moderator
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Montana
Posts: 5,490
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It really takes trying all the brands and seeing what works best for you. I personally prefer XM bulbs.
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~Vince
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09-26-2006, 11:29 PM
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#10
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Eugene, OR
Posts: 366
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As far as name brand ballasts I bought a PFO ballast that was a year old and I've been using it for six months with no sign of any problems.
__________________
Stuart
If you don't have left over parts you did something wrong. 
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10-01-2006, 12:03 PM
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#11
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: spartanburg, south carolina
Posts: 4,715
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I don't personally use MH bulbs, but from what I understand, a lot of people like the "XM" brand - they maintain their spectrum and intensity for about 2 years, and they are reasonably priced.
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