new lights

[Delphinus]

Originally Posted by danny zubot

This brings to mind a question I've been pondering. I will hopefully be upgrading my light soon. Should I consider this method when upgrading from a single 250 watt 14K to a single 400 watt 10K Mh?

That will be a huge leap of intensity. Not only is the wattage increasing almost twofold, but 14k is significantly less intense than 10k at the same wattage.

So: Yes, I would do the acclimation procedure as suggested by Stircrazy.

[danny zubot]

Thanks Tony.

[BCOrchidGuy]

Danny rather than go to a 400 I'd consider a 250W HQI, you'll get almost the same amount of light (depending on the bulb/tube you choose).

As for getting your tank used to the new light one thing I did that worked well for me was suspend the lights above the tank, say 2 feed higher than you plan on having them for a permanent placement. Lower the lights an inch or so every couple of days until you have them where they should be.

Doug

[danny zubot]

I don't understand a whole lot about the type of balasts you can get. I know that I have a 250 watt 14k mogul setup, and my balast is just the basic magnetic start M-58 I think. What is HQI, and why is it better? I have the guts of the 400 over at quick grow right now for them to wire up. Should I be looking at trading in that one and maybe my 250 for this HQI?

[Snappy]

Originally Posted by danny zubot

So when do we get to see pics?

pic's will be done by you when I am selected as FTOTM

[BCOrchidGuy]

Danny if you look at the sticky about lighting basics etc I think it's in there. The HQI though will run brighter, DE tubes, quietly, mine had no heat (off the ballast but lots off the bulb/tube). A 250w HQI gives off almost as much light if not more than a 400 watt mogul of a similar spectrum etc. This is my understanding anyway.

Doug

[danny zubot]

Thanks Doug, I have a 400 watt balast now, I only paid 30 bucks for it so I'll just hold on to it until I decide what I'm going to do. I suppose you need a specific HQI balast to run DE bulbs? In other words, can I use my existing magnetic balast for DE bulbs?
Greg wrote:

pic's will be done by you when I am selected as FTOTM

We've got to be able to see the finished product first man!

[Delphinus]

Originally Posted by danny zubot

I suppose you need a specific HQI balast to run DE bulbs? In other words, can I use my existing magnetic balast for DE bulbs?

Unfortunately, yes, unless you perhaps happen to have electronic ballasts because they usually can run both SE and DE. As for magnetic or traditional style ballasts though you need ANSI M80 and M81 ballasts for DE (M80=250, M81=150W).