Metal Halides

[kpax]

I've had VHO now for about 3 years and want to explore MH.

Can anyone recommend the cheapest/easiest way to start? I would want to build them into my current set up and just remove 2 of my 4 VHO's and leave 2 VHO's for actinic lighting. It would be over a 75 gallon.

Thoughts?

Thanks
Ken

[David Grigor]

I'd be on the lookout for some 175MH ballasts used. As people upgrade they become available. Look into the Iwasaki 15k bulbs. They have been out for about a year now and really seem to be a big bang for the wattage.

[kpax]

Do I have to worry about the water being too close? Here's a picture of my hood. The VHO's are about 4 to 5 inches away from the water.

[StOnErSpS]

you might want to look into getting a new canopy, custom biult or DIY make it 10+ inches tall so you have no worries about the water hitting the bulbs.....

Check on Reefcentral and on thereeftanks general classifieds...i am sure i seen 175 watt ballast/reflectors for sale.

You can also go the pendent route, but you wouldnt be able to run the VHO you have setup with that way, but these would just hang from the ceiling, they are more expensive then the retros, but i might work better for you..

I am sure other people will help you out on this one too, just my 2 cent

[kpax]

I appreciate the input. I just made this hood this summer so I was hoping to use it.

[epidemic]

Woudlnt be hard to add an extension to make it taller, PM zryder as I believe he just did the same.

[oyam123]

Did you try T5?
Lots of fans, and could fit right into your hood.
about $300 for a new 4-bulb retro.
But I just ordered a MH Hood...nothing like it .

[Jubei]

I went down the route of picking up a Aqua Medic 250w dual e-ballast and 2 DE pendants from diyreef.com. The reflectors must have been discontinue, because I can't find it on their websit any more. They have the SE spider for ~$32 a piece. So final price would be ~$240. Not sure if that is in your price range. You'll also have to find bulbs too.

http://www.customaquatic.com/customa...mid=LT-AB72300

[combiemaster]

you can just add wood to the canopy you have now. I did that with mine and trust me there is nothing harder than adding another 6 inches to a Flat back hex canopy. i ebeen added door to it and it turn out really nice.
Heres a link to my build :
http://thereeftank.com/forums/showthread.php?t=89252

and this is once it was done
http://thereeftank.com/forums/showthread.php?t=89787

[epidemic]

Originally Posted by oyam123

But I just ordered a MH Hood...nothing like it .

LMK when you sell it, I may know someone interested

[coldwaterreefer]

i have a couple of 250watt ballasts in the mo area.

[kpax]

Are T5's brighter than VHO?

[madscientist]

I really liked the look of 2 15k XM's 250w single end over my 65. The only reason I am going to t5's is to cut down on the heat. My tank is in the wall and the room it is in isn't very large so it tends to get moist in there.

[oyam123]

Originally Posted by kpax

Are T5's brighter than VHO?

YES, and you dont have the heat and energy use of the MH lights.
However, you dont get the SHIMMMMMA!

[kpax]

I want SHIMMMMMMA!