new reefer

[vvizz4rcl]

So im getting back into salt again after a divorce made me get out of it the first time. I cant wait to get runing now. Iv got an 125g, 80# rock, idk 2inch sandbed,2 halide lights. Iv got a smaller skimmer on there but im working on looking for something bigger and i need a halide light(i have two but they are two different colars),30 gallon sump, two k8s,an 3200 rio return on it right now, tell my 1320 g/h return comes in the mail.
Its been up for 3 weeks now and my water is 0amo,0nit,0nit,8.2ph
I have a starry bleenie and a something leather in there right now.

 

[reefman069]

what size halide are you looking for. i have a few 400 watt blueline ballast could sell

 

[vvizz4rcl]

Im trying to find just the replacement bulbs ,with out paying 60 bucks a peice.when i bought this settup i lite them up.on one is white and ones yellow and i allso have an atic(blue)one. What id like to do is ro get an nother blue bulb

 

[reefman069]

what watt of bulb are you looking for. i have lots of used 400 watt bulbs. i think they are 14k. nice blue color

 

[vvizz4rcl]

How do i know? I dont see a number print on the bulb.

 

[mfinn]

Its been up for 3 weeks now and my water is 0amo,0nit,0nit,8.2ph
I have a starry bleenie and a something leather in there right now.

Did it completely cycle?
Or did you already have old ( stored live rock) rock?
3 weeks is fast.

 

[reefman069]

How do i know? I dont see a number print on the bulb.

look at the bottom of the ballast. it should tell you what watt it is

 

[vvizz4rcl]

I had bought some live rock from guy that was breaking down his tank and allso used some of the water out of his water he had in his tank. After i had tested it.

 

[vvizz4rcl]

that still confuses me

 

[mfinn]

Well it's a PFO ballast. It's the name brand.

On my PFO ballast there is a sticker on the top that has a list under it and on mine, it has a box that is checked next to one of the wattages.
Mine is a 250 watt.

 

[vvizz4rcl]

The the writing says ic2-250mh

 

[vvizz4rcl]

So I couldnt use the 400watt bubs right?

 

[user 26995]

Sent you a PM regarding a 400w ballast.

 

[kpiotrowski]

So I couldnt use the 400watt bubs right?

its says its a 250w "ic2-250mh"

 

[vvizz4rcl]

Thats what i thought. I just needed someone else to say it.

 

[vvizz4rcl]

So I need a 250W Single Ended Metal Halide Light Bulbs (pref blue). Not the easyest thing to find

 

[trido]

Yes, its an old PFO electronic ballast that runs 250 watt Metal Halide bulbs. Do you have an all in one unit or individual reflectors? Do you have florescent tubes too or just the halides? Also PFO made a lot of fixtures that used Double Ended bulbs. Are your's Single Ended (mogul socket) or DE (Double Ended)? Either way, since you are looking for a bluer light, you will be wanting a 14k or 20k bulb to make your corals look their best. Some of the National favorites are a Radium 20k and a Phoenix 14k. Both expensive but you get what you pay for. You should buy a pair so they look the same from one end of the tank to another and then you know you're starting your tank off with nice new bulbs that will give you good growth and less algea growth. You might want to consider buying a pair of cheap dimmable LED fixtures from $150-$300 each. MH bulbs need replaced from 9 months to a years. The LED's use less electricity and never need replacing.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[mfinn]

So I need a 250W Single Ended Metal Halide Light Bulbs (pref blue). Not the easyest thing to find

Actually pretty easy.
I used a cheaper one for a while called a XM 250 watt 20k.
Not bad.
That Phoenix 14k bulb is a real popular bulb.

 

[user 26995]

Agreed, I like the Phoenix 14K bulb also.
If its not blue enough, you can always set up a T5 for a more blue look and for dusk and dawn type transition to and from daylights.

 

[mfinn]

I also used a 14k Hamilton 250 watt and used VHO bulbs to add actinic to get the dawn and dusk effect.