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Ahanix 
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 Topic: Fish Need It 70w Metal Halide Opinions?
Posted: March 08 2010 at 12:36pm |
Hey guys, I am looking at lighting upgrades eventually for my Biocube. If I can't keep my old hood from my biocube, I was looking into the possibility of buying the 70w Fish Need It MH kit with the 20k bulb. (it's currently $109)
Thanks for any input!
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Ryan Thompson
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Posted: March 08 2010 at 1:20pm |
Why not get the PAR38 LED bulb instead? You will want to replace the bulb that they send with it. Fish Need It carries cheap stuff IMO.
Does it work? Yeah but you will have to spend more money to get what you really want IMO.
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Ahanix
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Posted: March 08 2010 at 2:14pm |
Ah ok.
I was just playing around with the idea of lighting (to grow SPS) for around $100, but maybe i'll just wait till late summer if the fishneedit stuff isn't very good. I'll do some more reviews. but mostly this was just to get by with the stuff that I have until I decide to upgrade to a ~50g tank
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Aquaristnewbie
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Posted: March 08 2010 at 2:30pm |
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You could try the aquatraders pendant for 99. I really like their fixtures. plus it is 150w But like ryan said the bulb in this one is not the greatest either. It works and looks decent but I want more blue out of it. I would try to get an LED blulb setup if it were me. You get a great amount of light and very low energy consumption. I am very excited for all of the LEDs coming out. So if you can make it work I think you would be very happy with the LED over anything else.
Edited by Aquaristnewbie - March 08 2010 at 2:32pm
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150 gallon Reef
Millcreek Utah
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Ahanix
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Posted: March 08 2010 at 2:39pm |
http://shop.aquatraders.com/Odyssea-Metal-Halide-Pendant-150W-with-T5-p/54241.htm
is this the one you are talking about?
The only reason I was looking at the fishneedit stuff is because I have heard horror stories about the aquatraders stuff, but that might have been from before they had electronic MH ballasts.
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Aquaristnewbie
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Posted: March 08 2010 at 2:58pm |
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Yeah that is the one. I heard all of those stories to. But after 4 different fixtures of theirs I have been impressed. Maybe that had different fixtures in the past or something? They seem to work very well and for a great price. And their bulbs work fine I just do not like the color they put out. For instance in my 250w halide I have their 15k bulb in and it just seems to be bright white with no blue really. I am happy it is not yellow but with a 15k I would expect a hint of blue. I know other people that like their fixtures as well. If it were me and LED's were not an option then I would get one of their fixtures.
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150 gallon Reef
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Ahanix
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Posted: March 08 2010 at 3:08pm |
Well, maybe i'll look at that with some nanotuners actinic t5's and maybe a good 14 or 20k bulb, keep the one that it comes with as a backup in case one burns out.etc or just upgrade later.
I'm sure as it is, it will look / perform quite a bit better than the stock biocube lighting.
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Ryan Thompson
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Posted: March 08 2010 at 3:16pm |
I still vote for the LED. Less heat, less electricity and you don't have to worry about new bulbs and replacing bulbs once a year. But that is just me.
I had an Odyssea fixture once and hated it. I have heard they have changed things but I still wouldn't risk it myself. Not when I could get the LED bulbs for the same price and not have to replace a bulb next year.
If it were my only lighting I would get the 12k PAR38. It is supposed to look just like a Phoenix 14k bulb.
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Ahanix
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Posted: March 08 2010 at 3:19pm |
I guess for pricing right now, either I will wait, or would this diagram work below?
One PAR38 20k (not sure what degree, maybe 60)
and then two 24w PC Actinic Bulbs stripped from my biocube with some type of reflector in a hood
Also, if I did this in a hood over the biocube, would I need to have some type of covering for everything (non UV blocking media)
Would this be good, or could I just go with the 1 PAR and be done with it?
Edit: From what I was just reading, one bulb could cover this decently with a 60 degree optic
L 15.5 x W 16.7 x H 15 for the Biocube and from what other people were saying you could do 18″ square from 18-24″ deep
Edited by Ahanix - March 08 2010 at 3:44pm
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Ryan Thompson
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Posted: March 08 2010 at 5:22pm |
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One PAR38 bulb in the 60 degree optics would work great. Mount it anywhere from 14 to 18 inches and you shouldn't have issues keeping whatever you want.
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Ahanix
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Posted: March 08 2010 at 6:07pm |
Great, i'll let you know tonight or tomorrow if I want to get in on the group order.
Thanks a lot
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Aquaristnewbie
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Posted: March 08 2010 at 6:35pm |
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Good luck! I think you made the best choice. LEDs are awesome!
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150 gallon Reef
Millcreek Utah
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kellerexpress
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Posted: March 10 2010 at 6:05am |
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I also vote for LED's. The par38 bulb would be sweet. Here is another option. This fixture is supposed to be equal to a 75w Halide +t5's. It would be perfect size for your biocube.
http://www.lck-led.com/p688/MaxSpect-Aquarium-Led-Lighting---60W,-18cm,-220V/product_info.html
Edited by kellerexpress - March 10 2010 at 6:06am
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IM 30L
Kessil A160we x2
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Ahanix
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Posted: March 10 2010 at 1:55pm |
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Not bad looking at all. I think when the time is right (besides the current mod I am working on) i'm going to do an LED retro in one of my hoods. so I guess stay tuned....
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Deluxe247
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Posted: March 11 2010 at 8:32pm |
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Where do you guys get your PAR38 bulbs, and what do you need to run them?
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90G Mixed Reef
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kellerexpress
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Posted: March 11 2010 at 9:22pm |
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nanotuners.com. There is a groupbuy going on right now though in the buy/sell section.
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IM 30L
Kessil A160we x2
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