Need lighting advice from my fellow reefers...

[Invigor]

Originally Posted by Bob_I

Here's what I found. The bulb lacks what I call "punch" I have found it to be a dull, insipiid blue. Things look lifeless, and the longer I use it the worse it becomes. I have another PFO pendant on the way, and as soon as it arrives I will be going back to my Aqualine 14000K bulb. ( I can't wait)

I ordered the 14k but they were outta stock. so Ivan asked me to try the 20k so I said ok...I shoulda went with 10k... :| I'm sure it's still a step up from 200w of pc lighting! at least I hope it is! this is my first crack at MH lighting, my next trial will probably be 10k ushios or something of the like..

[Reefhawk1]

My dogs name is Rudy and he is a 5 year old American bulldog. Unfortunatly he dosen't live with me at this time. That was a recent picture on a trip back home to Vancouver Island. I wont be bringing him out for another year when I buy a house.

[bulletsworld]

Awww......His name is Rudy! Well he's a cutie-pa-tootie!
Sad that man is away from his best friend. Well hurry buy the house then you can have your buddy Rudy back and get BIGGER, MORE TANKS and then you can host a meeting!

[bulletsworld]

Hey guys,
I took some of your advice and decided that the Hamilton 2 x 175W 10, 000k MH & 2x 40W power compact blue actinics if were alittle cheaper I would go for it. So I offered $350.00 instead and.... HE ACCEPTED! I'm so excited! My first MH's ! If I knew how to post pic's so you can see then I would. Thanks for all your help guys.

Question for you guys though. The guy selling them told me the MH bulbs & PC blue actinics are all Coralife bulbs? He told me he wasn't sure about if other bulbs that are compatible?

Where do you get Coralife MH bulbs? Any ideas prices?

[EmilyB]

Coralife?

Okay, my suggestion is a 250w system. With actinics - VHO would be awesome. You will never regret that.

[Bob I]

Originally Posted by bulletsworld

Hey guys,
I took some of your advice and decided that the Hamilton 2 x 175W 10, 000k MH & 2x 40W power compact blue actinics if were alittle cheaper I would go for it. So I offered $350.00 instead and.... HE ACCEPTED! I'm so excited! My first MH's ! If I knew how to post pic's so you can see then I would. Thanks for all your help guys.

Question for you guys though. The guy selling them told me the MH bulbs & PC blue actinics are all Coralife bulbs? He told me he wasn't sure about if other bulbs that are compatible?

Where do you get Coralife MH bulbs? Any ideas prices?

The only place I have ever seen Coralife bulbs is Big Al's. They are horrendously expensive. That said, you don't need Coralife bulbs. Most bulbs should be fine. If the ballast runs 10000K now, it will run all 10000K bulbs.
I have a couple of 6500K Coralife bulbs that are six months old if you need them.

[Bob I]

BTW you may want to look at Brad's sticky on posting pictures in the "pictures" forum

[mr_alberta]

You might need to find out what type of ballast you have (the ANSI code). Even though all bulbs should fire properly on most ballasts, some bulbs may have starting problems (i.e. they don't start up right away or flicker).

See here for which bulbs are compatible with which ballasts:
http://www.aquarium-lighting-guide.c...al-halide-ansi

[bulletsworld]

hey thanks guys!

Originally Posted by Bob_I

I have a couple of 6500K Coralife bulbs that are six months old if you need them.

Bob, I may be interested in your actinic's what you want for those used things. Thanks for the tip on where to get Coralife. Big Al's I bet will be super expensive. I'll go check it out.

Originally Posted by newguy

You might need to find out what type of ballast you have (the ANSI code). Even though all bulbs should fire properly on most ballasts, some bulbs may have starting problems (i.e. they don't start up right away or flicker)

Hey Harvey,
Wow, thanks for the link for the lighting guide. AWESOME! Just one question... Where do you think the ANSI code would be displayed on the lights? The ballast? Since the unit is in Vancouver. Where can I tell the guy to look?

Thanks guys for all your help. You guys are Awesome! *HUGS*

[mr_alberta]

The ANSI code would be on the ballast itself (he'd most likely have to open up the ballast box).

I really wouldn't stress out too over the ANSI codes and whatnot though.

Wow, a 20000K 175W Coralife bulb from Big Al's online is $250.00
It'd be cheaper to replace the whole pendant instead of buying replacement bulbs!