Halide Q & A

[yifan917]

Need some advice on running 400W mogul base radiums - what ballasts should I go for? Thanks!

[rtague]

What can I grow with 150w 14000k Hamilton lamps on a 21" deep tank?

[spsfle]

400W mogul Lexcore electronic ballast

[yifan917]

Thanks for the reply!

Originally Posted by spsfle

400W mogul Lexcore electronic ballast

[yifan917]

Another question... Is there any dimmable 400W MH ballast on the market right now? I want to hook it up with Apex if it's possible, thanks again!

[biglurr54]

I have scratched the LED’s on my 60 gallon cube (24x24x24) tank. All my coral that were purchased under Kessel’s looked great. Then once in m tank they lost all their color and all became a brown/reddish color. My torch lost its tentacles and looks like brown frogspawn. My Duncans turned brown and refused to open. My Brain lost all its green centers. My star polyps shrunk and turned yellow. Bad news. So I pulled out the Coralife aqualight pro I had with a 10k bulb. I put that on the tank and it looked like crap but the Duncans opened up and the brain regained its green color quickly.

I dusted off an old reflector that I had and tested my M81 ballast. All are in good working order. I placed my order for a phoenix 14K bulb. I placed an order with Stevesleds for 12 Luxeon RB and 4 violets leds. I think I am done with a full LED system for a while.

How high above the water should I put the Bulb? I also have a glass top to keep toddlers out and fish in.

Anyone else supplementing their Halides with LED actinic?



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[Breadman03]

Originally Posted by yifan917

Another question... Is there any dimmable 400W MH ballast on the market right now? I want to hook it up with Apex if it's possible, thanks again!

You are sick!

I've got the Hamilton dimmable 400 watt ballast and was just thinking the same thing...

[yifan917]

I am aiming on the Reefbrite dimmable ballast. But the dimming function only starts after the bulb is fired up to 50%. Which means you still get a sudden black out when you want to fully turn off the light. Don't know if it's worth the money anymore. It seems like any dimmable MH ballast that has the 1-10v adjustment function would work with Apex.

How does the dimming function on your Hamilton work?

Originally Posted by Breadman03

You are sick!

I've got the Hamilton dimmable 400 watt ballast and was just thinking the same thing...

[biglurr54]

OK I set up my magnetic m81 ballast with a brand new phoenix 14 k bulb. It's too blue. I had a marineland 14k bulb that's old and that had a much crisper light. I plan on supplementing with rb leds so I want something brighter with less blue. Any suggestions for a good bulb ballast combination.

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[sirreal63]

It will take a few weeks for the bulb to burn in so don't judge the color too harshly in the beginning. FWIW I am not a huge fan of the Phoenix's color but it does get less blue as it breaks in. This is why it is hard to recommend a bulb, we all have different tastes.

[biglurr54]

Yea it's too bad it cost 50 to try a bulb to see if it's your taste. The Marineland 14k had nice color and seemed very very bright. Supplement that with some royal blue and violet leds and it would be a nice color.

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[kevin_e]

The Phoenix 14 should be lbled 20k

[reefanatik]

I am leaning towards buying the M80 ballast, radium bulb and Cozumel reflector, my question is if I'm not happy with the radium bulb will the M80 ballast run any 250w bulb? I don't want to b stuck with a ballast that I don't like. This will b my first time ever running MH.

[biglurr54]

I bought a 14k off eBay and it was a touch too yellow. I added the rb and ultra violet leds and it's the perfect combo. The color is amazing. Corals pop. I have dawn dusk lighting. It worked out better than expected.

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[james30ct]

I hooked up a new m80 ballast the other day and the radium bulb didnt fire. Both the bulb and ballast are new. The ballast had 120v on the primary but when i checked the load wires i only get 20v. Any thoughts?

[biglurr54]

Where did you get the m80 ballast. Been looking for one.

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[Jeremy B.]

Originally Posted by james30ct

I hooked up a new m80 ballast the other day and the radium bulb didnt fire. Both the bulb and ballast are new. The ballast had 120v on the primary but when i checked the load wires i only get 20v. Any thoughts?

How long did you let the ballast stay in the 'ON' position for?

[Jeremy B.]

Originally Posted by biglurr54

Where did you get the m80 ballast. Been looking for one.

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Hamilton Technology sells the M80 for $139.95.

http://www.hamiltontechnology.com/it...ed-Ballast-378

[rtague]

Going to order a 72" 3x250w Cebu sun which comes with 6 cords I believe,how would you guys manage these cords?.I don't want 3 bulky timers, would a reef keeper lite or an apex junior work, I'm looking at 1,070w.

[reefanatik]

Cozumel reflectors, m80 ballast and radius came in today. Can't wait to get these going.

[Bpb]

You're going to love them


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[topjimmy]

Just got my Belize sun. Can't wait to see it over the tank

Sent from Second star to the right*and straight on 'till morning"

[reefanatik]

Originally Posted by Bpb

You're going to love them


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I hope so..... First time MH user

[moondoggy4]

Originally Posted by biglurr54

I have scratched the LED’s on my 60 gallon cube (24x24x24) tank. All my coral that were purchased under Kessel’s looked great. Then once in m tank they lost all their color and all became a brown/reddish color. My torch lost its tentacles and looks like brown frogspawn. My Duncans turned brown and refused to open. My Brain lost all its green centers. My star polyps shrunk and turned yellow. Bad news. So I pulled out the Coralife aqualight pro I had with a 10k bulb. I put that on the tank and it looked like crap but the Duncans opened up and the brain regained its green color quickly.

I dusted off an old reflector that I had and tested my M81 ballast. All are in good working order. I placed my order for a phoenix 14K bulb. I placed an order with Stevesleds for 12 Luxeon RB and 4 violets leds. I think I am done with a full LED system for a while.

How high above the water should I put the Bulb? I also have a glass top to keep toddlers out and fish in.

Anyone else supplementing their Halides with LED actinic?



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No lower than 9''

I have a 48'' all blue Reef Brite on my dual 250 phoenix

Funny I do not find the phoenix to be too blue they seem too white.

[reefanatik]

What is the recommended height above water for a Cozumel reflector with 250w radiums? Going to build my canopy and just trying to do the planning and get all measurements right.