Metal Halide/Power Compact DIY - N00b Needs Help - Page 2 - Aquarium Advice

noteworthy · 10-13-2005, 10:36 PM

So you think [acronym:c4b98bd885="Power compact fluorescent"]PC[/acronym:c4b98bd885]'s would be efficient enough because my tank isn't 20" deep?

greenmaji · 10-13-2005, 10:38 PM

Enough of them and good reflectors.. like the ones ahsuppy sells.. yes.. I think it would work.. you might want a second opinion on that.. I could PM someone I think would agree.. [acronym:ede0463e02="Laughing out loud"]LOL[/acronym:ede0463e02]
Sorry.. bad joke..

noteworthy · 10-13-2005, 10:40 PM

http://www.captivereefs.com/captiver...mID=LT-ES53206

This retro kit would fit in the 8"x49 1/2" canopy opening I have set on [acronym:522ed2ffba="Do it yourself"]DIY[/acronym:522ed2ffba] thread.

greenmaji · 10-13-2005, 10:47 PM

I think thats expensive.. I cant see the reflector, it doesnt advertize the effecency of the reflector.. thats a bad sign.. if it as 95%+ effecent they would be advertizing it..

the ahsupply reflectors are 95% reflective.. almost as good as T-5

noteworthy · 10-13-2005, 11:50 PM

So I'm looking at this:

Part 40962 - 2 x 96 watt Bright Kit
Includes one 24 ounce solid-state electronic ballast (18.5"L x 1.7"W x 1"H); one 34.5"L x 7"W x 2"H multi-angle MIRO 4 polished aluminum reflector; two moisture-resistant endcaps with cords; four steel bulb holders; one grounding power cord: wirenuts and screws needed for installation; snap bushing, cord strain relief bushing, cord clamps and nylon spacers; and ballast operation information and wiring diagram. Requires two 96watt compact fluorescent bulbs (not included). NOTE - If you want to be able to control the bulbs separately you'll need two 1x96w kits #40961 instead of this 2x96w kit #40962. Also NOTE - You may substitute two 34.5"L x 4"W reflectors for the one 34"L x 7"W reflector that normally comes with this 2x96w kit. Just request the substitution in the Special Instructions section at the end of the order form.
Price: $114.99

Part 11961 - 96watt 10,000K Compact Fluorescent Bulb
Sometimes called purified super-daylight, this is a daylight bulb with a slightly bluish cast and is very attractive in a marine setup.
Price: $32.99

Part 11967 - 96watt Bright Blue Compact Bulb
Bright Blue actinic light. Combine this bulb 1-to-1 or 1-to-2 with daylight bulbs for marine aquarium use. Peak output at 430nm with almost all output between 400nm and 500nm.
Price: $32.99 Sale Price: $26.99

Thats 175 for a complete setup to install. 2 x 96 w.. one blue actinic and one pure daylight. Will the dual kit work or should I get two singles. I don't really think I'll need the benefit of setting up both lights on seperate timers.

Will I still need an exhaust fan for the canopy with [acronym:9e07acdff2="Power compact fluorescent"]PC[/acronym:9e07acdff2] lights?

greenmaji · 10-14-2005, 12:02 AM

you can use the 65 watt bulbs in the 55watt kits (same ballast) the 96watt kits are more expensive (the reflectors cost more)
you might want to go with more bulbs with [acronym:b104d29c01="Compact Flourescent"]CF[/acronym:b104d29c01].. you might need to move to lower [acronym:b104d29c01="Kelvin or Potassium, depending on context"]K[/acronym:b104d29c01] values in areas to get more light for your high light needs inhabitants, like the anems.

And after pricing [acronym:b104d29c01="Power compact fluorescent"]PC[/acronym:b104d29c01] you could see where some ebay [acronym:b104d29c01="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:b104d29c01] bulbs (~$25) a [acronym:b104d29c01="Do it yourself"]DIY[/acronym:b104d29c01] [acronym:b104d29c01="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:b104d29c01] reflector and magnetic ballasts could very well be cheaper.. [acronym:b104d29c01="Laughing out loud"]LOL[/acronym:b104d29c01] expesialy if the bulbs last for 2-3 years.

**BillyZ** · 10-14-2005, 08:20 AM

If it were me, I would go with the LT-ES53206 (4x55/65) and put in two 10k bulbs and two actinic. Later when you plan on getting into higher light corals/anenomes (which will likely be a year or so if you take the advice of this board) you can then add two [acronym:589c54b2c4="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:589c54b2c4] bulbs to your hood.

This will give you plenty of output for now and plenty of room to grow when you're ready for the [acronym:589c54b2c4="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:589c54b2c4]. Simply put all actinic in the [acronym:589c54b2c4="Power compact fluorescent"]PC[/acronym:589c54b2c4] and use 2x150 watt [acronym:589c54b2c4="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:589c54b2c4] 10k. Spreading out your costs makes it easier to get better equipment for each part.

In terms of cooling, if you go with just [acronym:589c54b2c4="Power compact fluorescent"]PC[/acronym:589c54b2c4] at first cooling the hood is "less" important but still certainly important. Bulb life can be greatly improved by keeping them cool.

noteworthy · 10-15-2005, 11:43 AM

Are you suggesting the kit that comes with 4 bulbs on captivereefs? How is the reflector on that? Acceptable? Or do you mean to buy the ballast etc parts from that kit?

I have also been looking at T5 [acronym:2335931a01="High Output Florecents"]HO[/acronym:2335931a01] bulbs with reflectors. Ballast is 50 bucks but it will run 4 of the 54w bulbs. I can do two 10,000 and one actinic. T5's get better surface penetration on water. What exactly is better about [acronym:2335931a01="Power compact fluorescent"]PC[/acronym:2335931a01] lights?

greenmaji · 10-15-2005, 05:44 PM

Im not BillyZ.. but from my reaserch..
[acronym:8e7a622bd2="Power compact fluorescent"]PC[/acronym:8e7a622bd2] lamps have been on the market longer and most think you can find bulbs for cheaper (from what Ive found the bulbs are about the same price), they are less effecent to use as far as reflectors go, designing a effecent reflector for a strait bulb is much easer then for a bent one, compared to T-5 [acronym:8e7a622bd2="High Output Florecents"]HO[/acronym:8e7a622bd2].
If you want to keep hi light needs coarls and clams you will want some 6500K or Sun bulbs and maybe some 1200K for looks.. If you used 3 you could keep [acronym:8e7a622bd2="Large polyped Scleractinian (stoney) coral"]LPS[/acronym:8e7a622bd2] [acronym:8e7a622bd2="In my opinion"]IMO[/acronym:8e7a622bd2] and 4 [acronym:8e7a622bd2="Small Polyped Stoney"]SPS[/acronym:8e7a622bd2] and clams (but I really doubt that you would have much luck keeping mushroom coarls and some of the softies with the 4 T-5HO setup, people have had a hard time keeping them, the light intensity is to high) you could switch out to bluer bulbs for less light needing coarls but T-5 [acronym:8e7a622bd2="High Output Florecents"]HO[/acronym:8e7a622bd2] kinda makes you make a desison as to what inhabitants can live together without needing to make drastic changes (with [acronym:8e7a622bd2="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:8e7a622bd2] you can just move the lower light needs corals away from the point sorce light, T-5 [acronym:8e7a622bd2="High Output Florecents"]HO[/acronym:8e7a622bd2] isnt point sorce you have to shade the corals, get less intense bulbs or plan ahead and keep critters with similar needs together)

noteworthy · 10-16-2005, 08:38 PM

I do like the idea of not 'limiting' myself by using Power Compacts. T5 bulbs take the length of the aquarium and would not allow me to focus my light in certain directions. I'm thinking I can [acronym:43d3843d3f="Do it yourself"]DIY[/acronym:43d3843d3f] a [acronym:43d3843d3f="Power compact fluorescent"]PC[/acronym:43d3843d3f] setup like the 180 dollar one on captive reefs. 4 x 65w - 2 actinic and 2 10,000.

Are you saying reflectors do not play a major role in [acronym:43d3843d3f="Power compact fluorescent"]PC[/acronym:43d3843d3f] because the bulbs are not round?

Down the road I could add [acronym:43d3843d3f="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:43d3843d3f].

10-14-2005, 08:20 AM	#17
BillyZ Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Western NY Posts: 3,622 Images: 6	If it were me, I would go with the LT-ES53206 (4x55/65) and put in two 10k bulbs and two actinic. Later when you plan on getting into higher light corals/anenomes (which will likely be a year or so if you take the advice of this board) you can then add two [acronym:589c54b2c4="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:589c54b2c4] bulbs to your hood. This will give you plenty of output for now and plenty of room to grow when you're ready for the [acronym:589c54b2c4="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:589c54b2c4]. Simply put all actinic in the [acronym:589c54b2c4="Power compact fluorescent"]PC[/acronym:589c54b2c4] and use 2x150 watt [acronym:589c54b2c4="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:589c54b2c4] 10k. Spreading out your costs makes it easier to get better equipment for each part. In terms of cooling, if you go with just [acronym:589c54b2c4="Power compact fluorescent"]PC[/acronym:589c54b2c4] at first cooling the hood is "less" important but still certainly important. Bulb life can be greatly improved by keeping them cool. __________________ Acronyms and Abbreviations

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10-13-2005, 10:36 PM	#11
noteworthy Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 359 Images: 14	So you think [acronym:c4b98bd885="Power compact fluorescent"]PC[/acronym:c4b98bd885]'s would be efficient enough because my tank isn't 20" deep?

10-13-2005, 10:38 PM	#12
greenmaji Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: May 2005 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 5,937	Enough of them and good reflectors.. like the ones ahsuppy sells.. yes.. I think it would work.. you might want a second opinion on that.. I could PM someone I think would agree.. [acronym:ede0463e02="Laughing out loud"]LOL[/acronym:ede0463e02] Sorry.. bad joke..

10-13-2005, 10:40 PM	#13
noteworthy Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 359 Images: 14	http://www.captivereefs.com/captiver...mID=LT-ES53206 This retro kit would fit in the 8"x49 1/2" canopy opening I have set on [acronym:522ed2ffba="Do it yourself"]DIY[/acronym:522ed2ffba] thread.

10-13-2005, 10:47 PM	#14
greenmaji Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: May 2005 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 5,937	I think thats expensive.. I cant see the reflector, it doesnt advertize the effecency of the reflector.. thats a bad sign.. if it as 95%+ effecent they would be advertizing it.. the ahsupply reflectors are 95% reflective.. almost as good as T-5

10-13-2005, 11:50 PM	#15
noteworthy Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 359 Images: 14	So I'm looking at this: Part 40962 - 2 x 96 watt Bright Kit Includes one 24 ounce solid-state electronic ballast (18.5"L x 1.7"W x 1"H); one 34.5"L x 7"W x 2"H multi-angle MIRO 4 polished aluminum reflector; two moisture-resistant endcaps with cords; four steel bulb holders; one grounding power cord: wirenuts and screws needed for installation; snap bushing, cord strain relief bushing, cord clamps and nylon spacers; and ballast operation information and wiring diagram. Requires two 96watt compact fluorescent bulbs (not included). NOTE - If you want to be able to control the bulbs separately you'll need two 1x96w kits #40961 instead of this 2x96w kit #40962. Also NOTE - You may substitute two 34.5"L x 4"W reflectors for the one 34"L x 7"W reflector that normally comes with this 2x96w kit. Just request the substitution in the Special Instructions section at the end of the order form. Price: $114.99 Part 11961 - 96watt 10,000K Compact Fluorescent Bulb Sometimes called purified super-daylight, this is a daylight bulb with a slightly bluish cast and is very attractive in a marine setup. Price: $32.99 Part 11967 - 96watt Bright Blue Compact Bulb Bright Blue actinic light. Combine this bulb 1-to-1 or 1-to-2 with daylight bulbs for marine aquarium use. Peak output at 430nm with almost all output between 400nm and 500nm. Price: $32.99 Sale Price: $26.99 Thats 175 for a complete setup to install. 2 x 96 w.. one blue actinic and one pure daylight. Will the dual kit work or should I get two singles. I don't really think I'll need the benefit of setting up both lights on seperate timers. Will I still need an exhaust fan for the canopy with [acronym:9e07acdff2="Power compact fluorescent"]PC[/acronym:9e07acdff2] lights?

10-14-2005, 12:02 AM	#16
greenmaji Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: May 2005 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 5,937	you can use the 65 watt bulbs in the 55watt kits (same ballast) the 96watt kits are more expensive (the reflectors cost more) you might want to go with more bulbs with [acronym:b104d29c01="Compact Flourescent"]CF[/acronym:b104d29c01].. you might need to move to lower [acronym:b104d29c01="Kelvin or Potassium, depending on context"]K[/acronym:b104d29c01] values in areas to get more light for your high light needs inhabitants, like the anems. And after pricing [acronym:b104d29c01="Power compact fluorescent"]PC[/acronym:b104d29c01] you could see where some ebay [acronym:b104d29c01="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:b104d29c01] bulbs (~$25) a [acronym:b104d29c01="Do it yourself"]DIY[/acronym:b104d29c01] [acronym:b104d29c01="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:b104d29c01] reflector and magnetic ballasts could very well be cheaper.. [acronym:b104d29c01="Laughing out loud"]LOL[/acronym:b104d29c01] expesialy if the bulbs last for 2-3 years.

10-15-2005, 11:43 AM	#18
noteworthy Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 359 Images: 14	Are you suggesting the kit that comes with 4 bulbs on captivereefs? How is the reflector on that? Acceptable? Or do you mean to buy the ballast etc parts from that kit? I have also been looking at T5 [acronym:2335931a01="High Output Florecents"]HO[/acronym:2335931a01] bulbs with reflectors. Ballast is 50 bucks but it will run 4 of the 54w bulbs. I can do two 10,000 and one actinic. T5's get better surface penetration on water. What exactly is better about [acronym:2335931a01="Power compact fluorescent"]PC[/acronym:2335931a01] lights?

10-15-2005, 05:44 PM	#19
greenmaji Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: May 2005 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 5,937	Im not BillyZ.. but from my reaserch.. [acronym:8e7a622bd2="Power compact fluorescent"]PC[/acronym:8e7a622bd2] lamps have been on the market longer and most think you can find bulbs for cheaper (from what Ive found the bulbs are about the same price), they are less effecent to use as far as reflectors go, designing a effecent reflector for a strait bulb is much easer then for a bent one, compared to T-5 [acronym:8e7a622bd2="High Output Florecents"]HO[/acronym:8e7a622bd2]. If you want to keep hi light needs coarls and clams you will want some 6500K or Sun bulbs and maybe some 1200K for looks.. If you used 3 you could keep [acronym:8e7a622bd2="Large polyped Scleractinian (stoney) coral"]LPS[/acronym:8e7a622bd2] [acronym:8e7a622bd2="In my opinion"]IMO[/acronym:8e7a622bd2] and 4 [acronym:8e7a622bd2="Small Polyped Stoney"]SPS[/acronym:8e7a622bd2] and clams (but I really doubt that you would have much luck keeping mushroom coarls and some of the softies with the 4 T-5HO setup, people have had a hard time keeping them, the light intensity is to high) you could switch out to bluer bulbs for less light needing coarls but T-5 [acronym:8e7a622bd2="High Output Florecents"]HO[/acronym:8e7a622bd2] kinda makes you make a desison as to what inhabitants can live together without needing to make drastic changes (with [acronym:8e7a622bd2="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:8e7a622bd2] you can just move the lower light needs corals away from the point sorce light, T-5 [acronym:8e7a622bd2="High Output Florecents"]HO[/acronym:8e7a622bd2] isnt point sorce you have to shade the corals, get less intense bulbs or plan ahead and keep critters with similar needs together)

10-16-2005, 08:38 PM	#20
noteworthy Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 359 Images: 14	I do like the idea of not 'limiting' myself by using Power Compacts. T5 bulbs take the length of the aquarium and would not allow me to focus my light in certain directions. I'm thinking I can [acronym:43d3843d3f="Do it yourself"]DIY[/acronym:43d3843d3f] a [acronym:43d3843d3f="Power compact fluorescent"]PC[/acronym:43d3843d3f] setup like the 180 dollar one on captive reefs. 4 x 65w - 2 actinic and 2 10,000. Are you saying reflectors do not play a major role in [acronym:43d3843d3f="Power compact fluorescent"]PC[/acronym:43d3843d3f] because the bulbs are not round? Down the road I could add [acronym:43d3843d3f="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:43d3843d3f].