GZ_Loach Posted April 28, 2011 Report Share Posted April 28, 2011 My new tank arrives on Monday so I thought now would be a good time to organise my lighting, After a bit of research it seems MH is the way to go and think that a twin 150W unit would be suitable?? So far I have seen two units that are within my price range http://www.trademe.co.nz/Pets-animals/F ... 572951.htm & http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =372560207 My tank is 200 L by 90D by 60H, so i need a unit that will spread out the light to cover the huge depth, not so much the height of the water. (minus approx 10cm for my poly background) Going for a mild plant setup, nothing too fancy at this stage - Will need to organise co2 when I can find a setup that won't break the bank. So my questions are: Are these two fittings any good? if so what one should i go for? Can you recommend something else below $1000 that would be suitable if the ones listed are not? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supasi Posted April 28, 2011 Report Share Posted April 28, 2011 If you are going to run MH you need to have CO2 up and running. Without it you are at an increased risk of having a bad episode with algae. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GZ_Loach Posted April 28, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 28, 2011 Are you able to point me in the direction of a good co2 kit? At the moment Im just using flourish and flourish excel on my current tank, the plan was to get co2 for my new one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanjury Posted April 28, 2011 Report Share Posted April 28, 2011 Why not source some 150W commercial units and then buy bulbs might set you back $150-200 and then mount them so they throw light over the whole tank would be far cheaper.. Unless of cousre you are wanting to spend alot more for flash looking ones? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Posted April 28, 2011 Report Share Posted April 28, 2011 http://www.fish-street.com/turles_reflector_l_size?category_id=134 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supasi Posted April 28, 2011 Report Share Posted April 28, 2011 These are what Ryan was referring to I think http://www.trademe.co.nz/Building-renovation/Electrical-lighting/Lights/Inset-lights/auction-371365676.htm They are heaps cheaper and you can position them as needed, unlike the prefab ones where you cannot adjust the positioning of the actual bulbs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanjury Posted April 28, 2011 Report Share Posted April 28, 2011 Yeah Simon that was what I was referring to.. http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/SearchResults.aspx?searchType=5964-5965-&searchString=metal+halide&type=Search&generalSearch_keypresses=12&generalSearch_suggested=0 Then head to fish steets or similar and buy the right temp bulbs and your away Sometimes have to wire them up to a bit of flex and mount them but you can control where the light goes how high they are etc.. And alot cheaper.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the-obstacle Posted April 29, 2011 Report Share Posted April 29, 2011 That's the way I went. Got some 150W 6K bulbs off trademe too. 2 lamps will be fine for that size tank but you will need co2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanjury Posted April 29, 2011 Report Share Posted April 29, 2011 Henwood just advertised his cheap.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the-obstacle Posted April 29, 2011 Report Share Posted April 29, 2011 http://www.fnzas.org.nz/fishroom/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=52350 oh, snap... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GZ_Loach Posted April 29, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 29, 2011 So i might be better off with two of these? http://www.trademe.co.nz/Pets-animals/Fish/Lights-lamps/auction-372571615.htm Can space them as required. I suppose what I'm trying to get at is, are they all pretty much the same? because there is a big price difference between MH from a lfs and your local electrical shop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwiplymouth Posted April 29, 2011 Report Share Posted April 29, 2011 I recently purchased these bulbs to fit 2 commercial 150w units that I got from Ryan http://cgi.ebay.com/MARINE-COLOR-HQI-150W-10K-10000K-METAL-HALIDE-BULB-/160578863363?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item25633f0103 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the-obstacle Posted April 29, 2011 Report Share Posted April 29, 2011 I recently purchased these bulbs to fit 2 commercial 150w units that I got from Ryan http://cgi.ebay.com/MARINE-COLOR-HQI-150W-10K-10000K-METAL-HALIDE-BULB-/160578863363?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item25633f0103/quote:3io0r9ka I have the same units from Ryan and I'd be interested to know if you found any difference between 10,000k and 6500k bulbs? I've got 10k t5s over 1 tank and the 6500 MHs over the other. Which would you choose to go forward with? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwiplymouth Posted April 29, 2011 Report Share Posted April 29, 2011 The 10000K MH bulbs haven't arrived yet but I do have another tank with 250w 14000k MH lighting and it out preforms my other t5 6500K and 10000K+ tanks in all respects as long as you can balance the ferts and pump in heaps of co2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the-obstacle Posted April 29, 2011 Report Share Posted April 29, 2011 The 10000K MH bulbs haven't arrived yet but I do have another tank with 250w 14000k MH lighting and it out preforms my other t5 6500K and 10000K+ tanks in all respects as long as you can balance the ferts and pump in heaps of co2 Sweet! I'll go that way next time then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted April 29, 2011 Report Share Posted April 29, 2011 I personally would have preferred a twin 75W unit. Unsure how common they are though but I have one and its great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antwan Posted April 29, 2011 Report Share Posted April 29, 2011 I recently purchased these bulbs to fit 2 commercial 150w units that I got from Ryan http://cgi.ebay.com/MARINE-COLOR-HQI-150W-10K-10000K-METAL-HALIDE-BULB-/160578863363?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item25633f0103 Can you please post pics of the tank you have these over when you have them set up? I would like to see what the plants look like under them. I think the tank looks a little too yellow under the 6700k ones I have at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Posted April 30, 2011 Report Share Posted April 30, 2011 I personally would have preferred a twin 75W unit. Unsure how common they are though but I have one and its great. For your 200L planted tank? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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