Upgrade 150 to 250 MH

Glennrf38 · #1 09-21-2009, 01:07 PM

Does anyone know of any instructions to change a 24" Corallife Aqualight Pro 150 W over to a 250 W? Or even if it can be done SAFELY?

I'm not in a big hurry but it is something I have been thinking about......

Binare · #2 09-21-2009, 01:50 PM

For how much a ballast, bulb holder and bulb will cost ya, I'd just sell yours and get another one.

Glennrf38 · #3 09-21-2009, 01:59 PM

I was wondering about that..... hmmmmm oh well..... Thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by Binare

For how much a ballast, bulb holder and bulb will cost ya, I'd just sell yours and get another one.

mseepman · #4 09-21-2009, 03:39 PM

In my opinion, I got more benefit from a lower cost by modding the Coralife to have T5HO's instead of the PC's.

Here's my mod thread. http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=40368

You could use the current ballasts that are in there driving the PC's to probably drive the T5's

mike31154 · #5 09-21-2009, 03:45 PM

I'd advise against messing with a higher power MH in a fixture designed for a certain wattage. With MH you're talking a point source of light and heat concentrated in a relatively small area. Although a well designed commercial fixture will have a certain degree of safety engineered in there, upping the wattage to that degree could be a fire hazard, especially if the ballasts are housed inside the fixture as well.

mseepman · #6 09-21-2009, 05:42 PM

The ballasts on the Coralifes are external, except for the PC ballasts. I've heard of guys doing this before but I just haven't heard them being very happy with the result.