New kid to MH

[Buster]

Steve,

You don't need to go with a 400watt metal halide. I must admit I went a little over board when I bought my lighting, but you know I should be able to grow anything expect low light stuff hehe. My love though is for acropora's not low light stuff. With a 250w you will be at 7.5 wpg, which ain't bad at all dude. I am going to be running close to 20 wpg. That is almost insane, but you know still ain't as bright as the sun. :lol: I don't think you can go wrong with a 250w. I wouldn't be trying to push a 250w bulb though off a 400watt ballast, you would almost me begging for trouble, as I am told most ballast don't go backwards, but some do. You know though if you are going to run a 250watt bulb, buy a 250watt ballast. From what I can tell from what you wrote about saying you are more worried about coloring then speed of growth I probably wouldn't even think about a 10K. I was running a 10k which was bright, but the acropora's turned brown, and now that I am running a 20K the color is finally coming back in them... Thank god. This is just my own personal observation though. I think you can be set up with bulb though for under 300... Or atleast I would hope you can.

[Nano_Steve]

lol...thanks for the offer vinh but knowing myself i think it is best that i only deal with my own stuff. ive had friendships lost over borrowed things and id rather that not happen between any of my friends in this hobby. i do appreciate your offer though!!!

you also make a good point that i didnt catch until researching after you had said something vinh, about there not being such a thing as a 400 watt de.

joshua,

i was unaware of the differences between magnetic and electric. knowing what you have told me i think i will be looking into electric for sure :shock: i dont want any baked fish until i have decided they are too big and fry them up!!!... totally kidding. :o

so ok...heres an update...

250W DE 20K XM bulb
250W Electric HQI IceCap Ballast
Ceiling Hanging Kit
PC Fans x2

what else do i need, what type of wiring should i look into and what about reflectors and what not or do those come with the ballast? id really like to have a single pendant that i hang from my ceiling that looks a bit nice also.

i really hope im going about this the right way, i definitely dont want to screw anything up so please forgive me if i repeat myself more than once concerning what i will be purchasing.

steve

[witecap4u]

Steve, here is a list of what you will need (from wall to tank), if you go with just the MH and no supp. lighting.

1.)Powercord(usually comes with ballast but not always)
2.)Ballast
3.)Wiring from ballast to pendant(probably included with pendant but double check)
4.)DEPendant(will include socket and reflector and probably glass)
5.)Bulb
6.)Ceiling Hanging kit

I dont know for sure if you will need the two PC fans. What was your plan for those anyways?
Like I said before, I think you should take a look around at some tanks before deciding on what you go with and model your choices after what you like....

CS

[JimD]

! 400W XM on a standard PFO ballast, with 2 VHO or PC 10K's, viola, instant perfection.

[Nano_Steve]

http://oceanencounter.com/Merchant2/...gory_Code=ICMH

hey y'all,

vinh, you're definitely the man for finding this one for me!!! it seems that this offer has everything i am looking for except the bulb is different. im thinking that i will go with this offer seeing as how it is the best deal i have seen and its all from one place(just one shipping cost) if i do, would anyone be interested in either buying or trading the bulb that comes with it for cash or an xm that you might have lying around(note to self: yeah right)

anyways, if anyone is interested hit me back!

thanks again vinh! steve

[TexasState]

There's no need to for you to buy something that you don't want to use.
Premium Aquatic sponsor us $75 out of $150 GC for the Logo Contest. You should try to call them up and let them put together a Sunlight/Icecap setup for you w/out the bulb. You can't loose w/ PA b/c they're pretty competitive. Jim Norris of Tanku.net have an account w/ both Hello Light and PA. Tim Marvin up the street from you does have an account w/ PA too.