150w or 250?

[clowns101]

I would start the fixture at 18" off the water and see how the coral react.

Well,I really want to be sure you stay happy with your light,and FishNeedIt lights ballast can go bad,FAST,just like aquatrader,I sware by Ice Cap,and Coral vue ballast anymore,they both have good track records.If I were you,I would go all DIY on this,it will be cheap to,but quality.

Reflector find a used one for around $50~
Ballast,get a newer one but used for less than a year $50-$100~ depending on who you get it from
MH bulb get it new of course $50~
Mogle End Socket $35~ get new or used

So were looking at around $185 or so,maybe more,depending on how well you shop.

Now,I will suggest going Mogle end,better than DE for the most part,and the bulbs seem to be cheaper to me also.Color is better to!

And for t5,you do NOT have to replace your bulbs every 10 months,thats crazy talk...LOL,every 12-18 months,just like a MH bulb!Some run them Overdriven and replace them sooner though!

Very nice to have young ones,my son has had a tank for around 7 years now,he started with a little 10 gallon,now we share the 125,mom told us no more tanks...LOL,jk

Good luck,be sure to keep asking questions!

 

[clowns101]

Are there any decent DE fixture out there that are 24-36" long and come with just 2 mh's? Or do they have t5's and moonlights?

I havent seen one at all,you can retro 2 t5s on your light for around $75 or so.

Good luck!

 

[Dasani]

I would like it to be DE so I can have phoenix bulbs. They seem amazing. Instead of doing a diy...could I just replace the fni ballast with an icecap?

Fishneedit sales a 150w fixture with no bulb ballast or hanging kit for $60. An Ice cape ballast is $130, hanging kit is $20 and a bulb is $55. So $265. Would all that work together?

 

[Dasani]

Or a parabolic reflector with lens $40, 150w ice cape ballast $130, cord for ice cap ballast $15, bulbs $55, hanging kit $25 shipped. $265 again

 

[Dasani]

I think I will build a fixture. I found a 150w kit for $220 and a 250w kit for $230. So it's about the same price fni would be.

Plus these come with ice cap and a good reflector.

 

[clowns101]

Great!Let us know how it goes!

 

[Dasani]

Great!Let us know how it goes!

I will.

Still undecided on 150 or 250 though :sad:

This 47g tank is 12" tall and 30" long. Same as a 20 long.
He has a 250w pendant, it spreads and he has soft corals as well.
Check it out here: YouTube - 47g Shallow Rimless Aquarium Video #2

Kinda makes me want to go with 250w.

 

[clowns101]

Go with 250,for sure,they are that expensive to run at 6 hours a day.

 

[Dasani]

Ya. I was planning on running 7-8 hrs a day...9 at the most.

 

[clowns101]

well,thats alot of light for corals at 250 watt,add some t5 or LED stripes,LED stripes are cheap,$45 and last forever!

 

[Dasani]

Hmmm... I'll consider that. Would 7 hours be ok?

 

[clowns101]

7 hours will be fine actully,its only 1 hour more.

 

[Dasani]

Ok sweet

How should I hang it?
Get a fishneedit hanging kit?
Hanging Kits

 

[clowns101]

Gosh you resond fast...LOL

I would hang it with that kit if it will work,looks like it will,just dotn ruin the reflecotr by scratching it up!

 

[Dasani]

Haha. I just refresh and respond when I see a message.

Ok I will