Switch from PC to MH (1 Viewer)

[aqua-nut]

In March, the wife bought me replacement lamps for my 150 and spent nearly $400 on 600 watts of PC lighting from hellolights.com... It comprised 4 - 96 watt bulbs and 4 55 watt bulbs.

I'm thinking that a two 400 watt MH retrofit system would be a good increase and actually be cheaper year to year for bulb replacements.

I would have to have a new canopy made, and this is the only thing holding me back at the moment.

Thoughts?

 

[Guest]

reefalot makes great canopies!

It's me stefanie

 

[Guest]

One or two 400W?

 

[Guest]

yup i second that, talk to kevin

 

[Guest]

Third that. He's awesome!

 

[Guest]

Narkon, Anan,
Thanks guys.

Aqua-Nuts,
I customize your canopy to fit your needs.

 

[Guest]

If I weren't trying to get my husband interested and involved in the tank by building our canopy, ReefALot would be building mine right now.

 

[Guest]

Aqua-nut, you definitely want 2 if it is 4' or 5', but if it is 6' you might want to go with 3 lights unless you have a big center brace that would block the light.

Now if you don't mind going expensive up front, I would say maybe go 250W DEs, yes the refectors will be expensive, but the light will rival your 400W, the bulbs will be cheaper, and heat will be less.

Whats the dimensions of your tank?

Nathan

 

[aqua-nut]

My thought is to go to 2 400 watt MH bulbs and run two 96 watt PC bulbs with Actinics in them front and back and possibly run two of the 55 actinics on the left and right of the system, just to balance it all out. This will increase my total number of watts in the tank.

BTW, the tank is 5 x 2 x 2, so two bulbs should do.

Reefalot, how well can you match the trim and stain work on my base? This tank is in my office and must look nice for all the visitors!

 

[Guest]

I can match it Very well, I saw that stand before. I can stains it sample piece first.