HQI's

sam · 09-16-2003, 02:57 PM

hi all, for those of you who are running hqi's how do you like them and do you have any other supplemental with them as well.
i am try to decide whether to go with a retro 250 watt 10k mogal
with pc's for supplement if needed of go with 2 - 250 watt 10k hqi pendants . also how long do hqi's last . which ballast would be best to go with for hqi's also . my tank is a 150 gal. 4'x2'x 30" high. i am going to make a canopy with a open top and back and hang the pendants from a 1x4 or so that runs down the center of the canopy do you think i would still need fans or would this be enough ventilation .sorry about the rambling on just have a lot of questions. thanks in advance

Rob_Reef_Keeper · 09-16-2003, 03:55 PM

On my 58 (36x18x21), I have a 250W HQI PFO pendant and ballast. I also have 2 95W VHO actinics to add a little flouresce to the corals. I LOVE the color, nice crisp white.

I have the pendant hanging in a custom canopy as well. I have 2 3 - inch fans in the canopy. I will probably replace them with 4 inch fans (more air flow) next summer.

squid · 09-16-2003, 05:40 PM

Sam, I have 2 250 Watt HQI Pen, supp with 3 46.5" VHO Actinic's.

I love the look of the tank...as far asfans...that's a must if you are going to do MH of any kind. They get very hot and the heat transfers to the tank.

sam · 09-16-2003, 06:21 PM

thanks thats what i thought just seeing if that would help the heat issue . how long do you go before changing hqi bulbs ?

sam · 09-16-2003, 10:05 PM

what type of ballast do you run with your HQI pendants? magnetic or electronic

Joel · 09-16-2003, 11:51 PM

I have a pair of 150 W hqis with magnetic ballests and ushio 10K bulbs that I really like. They are supplemented with 2 30 W t-8 actinics and all are mounted in a 4 ft fixture made by aquaclear. I bought the unit used with a previous tank, and will probably never go back to mogul base halides. This fixture is suspended from the ceiling about 8" off the water over a 135 gal. 6 ft long tank. I have been told by 2 lfs that I could easily go 15-18 months without replacing the bulbs. (not entirely sure I'll let them go that long). Even under only 150s I've had a deresa for 2 months now on the sandbed that is growing and looking great, and a crocea I got 1 1/2 weeks ago that is looking better than it was in the lfs. I had a purple tipped acro frag that turned bown after I put it under my old regular halides (Feb), When I changed tanks in April the acro turned back to its original color within 3 weeks. IMO they are great lights and until there is something better that I can afford I'll stick with them.

sam · 09-17-2003, 12:28 AM

thanks joel your tank looks great , about your ballast do you have any heat issues and where do you have them mounted . thanks

mtkas29 · 09-17-2003, 12:36 AM

hi joel...

i have exactly the same light fixture that you have...
i got it slightly used for 300 bucks...
where do you buy your replacement bulbs?
i keep one for spare...just in case...

Joel · 09-17-2003, 12:37 AM

The ballast box is sitting on top of a cabinet next to the tank (will soon be relocated under the stand on a shelf just for it). It does get very hot though. The light is suspended above the water about 8" and the entire top and back of the canopy is open. I have seen a max of .6 degrees fluctuation according to my digital thermometers since doing this setup. On the previous tank (90 bowfront) I had the lights sitting directly on top of the tank (1"-1.5" from the water surface) in the tank moulding and had a 2.5-3.5 degree temp swing and that was even with a 8" fan blowing on the sump 24/7.

Joel · 09-17-2003, 12:45 AM

mtkas29,
You have a pm. I have a pair of spares. 4 months old.

sam · 09-17-2003, 12:47 AM

whats your photo time for your halides ?

Joel · 09-17-2003, 12:50 AM

mine is:
10:30 AM actinics on
11:00 AM halides on
10:00 PM halides off
10:30 PM actinics off

sam · 09-17-2003, 01:02 AM

thanks joel you have been a great help . thanks for your time

Joel · 09-17-2003, 01:05 AM

no problem

mtkas29 · 09-17-2003, 11:14 PM

hi joel...

my light fixture is about 3"above water.
i don't have any fish or corals on it right now...still cycling (2 weeks)
i have 20 snails and 20 hermit crab...algae control...
i ran the halide for 4 hours a day...
and actinic for 6 hours a day...
i'm kinda new to saltwater...any help or tips will do...

i look around here locally for a replacement bulbs...i can't find any...
my best bet is online store...any suggestion?

thanks.
jun