MH questions

fishes2889 · Dec 18, 2006

Which is better? Coralvue 250watt ballast or Ice Cap 110 volt 250watt ballast(both electronic)

And which bulb out of these would be the best fit for a zoa prop system:
All 250watt:
Coralvue 10k, 14k, or 20k
-or-
Xm 10k, 15k, or 20k

Thanks
Steve

fishes2889 · Dec 18, 2006

Oh and here is the website:
Coralvue retro: http://www.aquacave.com/detail.aspx?ID=382

and Ice Cap retro: http://www.aquacave.com/detail.aspx?ID=873

Steve

fishes2889 · Dec 18, 2006

anyone?

:color:

Azurel · Dec 18, 2006

Well me personally I have enver had a Coralvue so I can't tell you about them. I do however have all Icecap ballast and have had great luck with them. They are tried and true and have great customer service....

bryan · Dec 18, 2006

Being in the maintenance side, and formerly owning a store in which we sold many CoralVue and IceCap ballasts, I can only tell you this.

All but one CoralVue ballast has been replaced...some multiple times. Every IceCap ballast is still going strong, never an issue.

Also, don't forget the hellolights ARO electronic ballast...I've sold plenty and never had a problem with them either.

Just the facts maam'

fishes2889 · Dec 18, 2006

Yeah i checked out the ARO ballast: http://www.hellolights.com/25methalbalk.html but, i think i might go withthe icecap just off of Azurel's and Bryan's comments. Plus it comes out to be the same price.

But i still have one more question. 175watt or 250watt for the 20H prop system?

Steve :color:

Azurel · Dec 18, 2006

I would go with the most you can get.....Never know when you want to upgrade to a larger system or tank, this way you don't have to upgrade the lighting also....JMHO

fishes2889 · Dec 18, 2006

Very ture and 5$ more for the 250w....

The placement i am thinking of the light has to be at least 12 to 15 inches up from the water line to not over heat the tank...

Steve

143gadgets · Dec 18, 2006

Go with the 250w. I have one over my new prop tank that does a wonderful job. I am running icecap ballasts on the main tank and a Blueline on the prop system.

fishes2889 · Dec 18, 2006

Hey Chris how high is your MH from the water??

Steve

143gadgets · Dec 19, 2006

Main Tank: 5-6" Halides run for about 6hrs
Prop Tank: 8-9" (Zoas are about 4" under the water) I only run the MHs for about 4-5hrs because of the heat.

Hope this helps.

fishes2889 · Dec 19, 2006

How high does the temp get at the end of the 4-5 hours?

TyreeUM · Dec 19, 2006

i still dont get why you would put halides on such a small system-why not invest in some t-5's that you can run for 12 hours as aposed to some halides you have to put so high above the surface and have to limit use because of heating such a small water volume-If this tank is strictly for growing out corals as quickly as possible, I think you are making a mistake on the halides IMO.

fishes2889 · Dec 19, 2006

So your saying T5's on this small of a system would put out as much growth as a halide?

If so my option would be putting 4x24w retros on it.....and it would still cost the same as getting a halide...

Steve

TyreeUM · Dec 19, 2006

considering the setup-with no means of cooling, I would say you will get way more growth running t-5's due to the dastic increase in photoperiod you can have over the halides. I run 250 halides at school over my ricordea only because the building I do my research in is climate controlled and I am running monitored chillers and heaters. If I was at home and had a small tank such as a 20H-I would run t-5's in a second. Any body else have any thoughts?

fishes2889 · Dec 19, 2006

Thanks for your opinion......Anyone else have thoughts on what is should do?

Anyone??

Steve :color:

fishes2889 · Dec 19, 2006

Anyone got an opinion on either T5's or an MH for the 20H prop system? Maybe with the MH i could buy the 175w instead of the 250w because of heat...

Thanks Steve

twon8 · Dec 19, 2006

what are the dimensions?

i do agree, t5s are the way to go.

a tip, buy the longer reflectors and cut them in half, they are nearly the same price

you will have to buy extra clips for the bulbs and drill a couple of holes, but it should save you close to $40

fishes2889 · Dec 20, 2006

So 2 24inch 2x24watt Tek T5's for a 20H or L?

Also when ordering should i go with with 50/50 lighting wise or more of a daylight spectrum to get more growth out of the system?

The 20H is 24x12x16 and the 20L is 30x12x12... which one? Im thinking the 20L since it will have more space for eggcrate....

Thanks Steve