Questions about metal halide

[dirtyxducks19]

So I have just recently set up a 70 gallon upgrade and had some questions. I have some old metal halide lights a growing friend of mine was gonna throw away. I took them thinking about my future reef tank. They have been in a box for years. The current orbit USA leds strip I have on my 30 gallon will not suffice for my new 70 gallon upgrade. My main question is how to properly operate these lights. I know they produce a lot of heat and are old school(still great).

what is the appropriate wattage for a 3ft 70 gallon tall?
Are there different light spectrum bulbs?
Should I buy some T5’s until I can upgrade to LEDs?

 

[oreo54]

First thing is to find out what ballasts/sockets you have.

 

[DCR]

From your build thread it looks like you have a single 150W HQI pendant with a Sunlight Blue Wave ballast. It takes a 150 W HQI double ended (DE) bulb. Most MH users would strongly recommend the Phoenix 150 W HQI bulbs for that ballast. It is considered 14K. A single 150 W will probably limit you somewhat on a tank that deep (24") , but you can keep a lot of nice corals with that set-up. It should not be that bad on heat. From the picture, I think your ballast can actually drive two 150W bulbs so you could add a second 150W pendant reflector if you wanted more light and better spread on a 3 ft tank. The Sunlight Blue Wave ballasts were very good magnetic ballasts. You could also add some T5's for better coverage with a single 150W HQI. I would not necessarily consider LED's an upgrade from that set-up.

 

[dirtyxducks19]

From your build thread it looks like you have a single 150W HQI pendant with a Sunlight Blue Wave ballast. It takes a 150 W HQI double ended (DE) bulb. Most MH users would strongly recommend the Phoenix 150 W HQI bulbs for that ballast. It is considered 14K. A single 150 W will probably limit you somewhat on a tank that deep (24") , but you can keep a lot of nice corals with that set-up. It should not be that bad on heat. From the picture, I think your ballast can actually drive two 150W bulbs so you could add a second 150W pendant reflector if you wanted more light and better spread on a 3 ft tank. The Sunlight Blue Wave ballasts were very good magnetic ballasts. You could also add some T5's for better coverage with a single 150W HQI. I would not necessarily consider LED's an upgrade from that set-up.

Thanks a lot for the information. I forgot to attach the photos. I do have a second pendant that I have not set up yet.

 

[xtian]

Both of those on that setup will definitely do the job. Those pendants are SLS Reef Optix III’s. I believe that ballast will pull around 190-200 watts per.

 

[jda]

Two of those 150w over that 70g is solid light. No need for T5 or LED unless you just want them for dusk/dawn. 14k Phoenix is a wonderful bulb with great growth and great color (almost unheard of to get both in one package). That bluewave ballast is bad butt.

If it gets hot, then a simple fan over the top when the lights come on can keep nearly all heat from accumulating. Don't try and get cute by waiting until the tank heats up a bit with an apex or something - just turn the fan on when the MH comes on and don't get behind.

 

[dirtyxducks19]

Two of those 150w over that 70g is solid light. No need for T5 or LED unless you just want them for dusk/dawn. 14k Phoenix is a wonderful bulb with great growth and great color (almost unheard of to get both in one package). That bluewave ballast is bad butt.

If it gets hot, then a simple fan over the top when the lights come on can keep nearly all heat from accumulating. Don't try and get cute by waiting until the tank heats up a bit with an apex or something - just turn the fan on when the MH comes on and don't get behind.

Sweet thanks for the knowledge. I was hoping to have the dawn dusk feature but I didn’t realize what I actually already had in these metal halides. I’m planning on installing the second one properly. Since I have a canopy Ill probably need some sort of exhaust fan in the canopy? When you speak of using a fane are you talking about directly at the ballast or for where the pendants are? I’m fortunately able to keep this behemoth of a ballast out of the stand and out of view so the heat from that shouldn’t affected my water.

 

[dirtyxducks19]

Phoenix Electric Company Metal Halide HQI 14000K DE Bulb for Aquarium

Is this the correct bulb? Also. What is the life span on these bulbs?

 

[jda]

That is the bulb. I forgot to mention that it was cheap too...so trifecta of cheap, color and growth.

I use a Vornado fan across the tops of my tanks in the summer. You will need a real fan. Computer or other small fan is too weak when I tried them.

 

[oreo54]

MHDE150/UVS/14K (1143) Plusrite 150W Double Ended Aquarium Lamp

The Plusrite MHDE150/UVS/14K (1143) is a 150W Enclosed rated Double Ended Aquarium Lamp with 7000 lumens and a 14000K color temperature.

ballastshop.com

Even cheaper ...for FUN...
Bulbs aren' t rocket science ..
Could be junk..

Commercial LED Lighting | Industrial Lighting - Plusrite Australia

Plusrite Australia are leaders in commercial LED lighting solutions suppling high-quality lighting products, including commercial LED lighting, Solar lighting, Street Lights, Hydroponic Lights, Dimmable LED Downlights, Sports lighting, LED Lights, Solar flood lights, LED warehouse lighting...

www.plusrite.com.au

 

[Bpb]

Don't try and get cute by waiting until the tank heats up a bit with an apex or something - just turn the fan on when the MH comes on and don't get behind.

Well said.

 

[Jposch]

MHDE150/UVS/14K (1143) Plusrite 150W Double Ended Aquarium Lamp

The Plusrite MHDE150/UVS/14K (1143) is a 150W Enclosed rated Double Ended Aquarium Lamp with 7000 lumens and a 14000K color temperature.

ballastshop.com

Even cheaper ...for FUN...
Bulbs aren' t rocket science ..
Could be junk..

Commercial LED Lighting | Industrial Lighting - Plusrite Australia

Plusrite Australia are leaders in commercial LED lighting solutions suppling high-quality lighting products, including commercial LED lighting, Solar lighting, Street Lights, Hydroponic Lights, Dimmable LED Downlights, Sports lighting, LED Lights, Solar flood lights, LED warehouse lighting...

www.plusrite.com.au

I run 14k plusrites and have been very happy with them. I'd say they are quite a bit less blue than what you would expect. To me, they are like the perfect WHITE lighting.

 

[Jposch]

Also, please excuse my disgusting sand bed. I have had more important things to do lately and haven't had a chance to replace those crushed oyster shells that it took six months to figure out if it was a bad idea. lol.