Lighting ??????? Question #2 changed

The Grizz · #1 02-02-2010, 03:42 AM

OK I have to know the answer to these question's:

#1 Is it possible to achieve the same lighting of 3 - 250w MH 14000K, 2 - T5 10000K 54w, 2 - Fiji Purple 54w & 2 Actinic 54w with ALL T5 HO 54w bulb's ?

#2 What do I use to convert from a SE to a DE bulb for reflector's. I know I can get the bases & ballast but what about reflectors

The reason I need to know is for my 96"L x 22"W x 18"D tank setup. I really don't want to rip out the lighting in the 155 Bow just yet, so if I could find a good alternate lighting that would work cheap enough for the short term that would be perfect.

outacontrol · #2 02-02-2010, 04:30 AM

those yellow work lights use DE Halogen, they do not have a ballast that is required to run/ignite Metal Halide bulbs.

The Grizz · #3 02-02-2010, 04:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by outacontrol

those yellow work lights use DE Halogen, they do not have a ballast that is required to run/ignite Metal Halide bulbs.

Ya good point just thought of the as well but was not 100% sure.

The Grizz · #4 02-02-2010, 06:12 PM

Still asking??

Delphinus · #5 02-02-2010, 06:41 PM

Are you looking to go with all t5's? At 8' long on the tank you need to double up the 54's to get full coverage so you're looking at a lot of t5's, like if you want 6 wide that's 12 lamps, and 8 wide is 16. If you're OK with that there are some nice units available but prepare yourself for the sticker shock.

As for switching SE to DE I think you're generally looking at a whole new pendent. Also depending on what existing ballast you have you may be looking at all new everything (light, reflector/pendent, ballast).

The Grizz · #6 02-02-2010, 08:31 PM

As for the T5 HO I was thinking of going with 8 - 10 bulbs per side and using Glo retro kits but that would mean I would have to find 7 more kit's.

As for the MH I have 3 - 250w IceCap ballast in the 155. They claim that they will run every type of lighting up to 250w.

So I guess this means I am still on the fence. The main reason I want to go away from the SE MH is so that my canopy is not so high. Would like to keep it in the 12"-14" mark.