coralife aqualight w 150w de halides modifying to 250w de halides

Hey, tatted. If you're considering the Lumatek ballast simply for the 15' of conductor included, then you might consider the Aquamedic dual 250V halide ballast instead.

You can pick up some multiconductor cable at a home depot or Lowes. It shouldn't be that pricey. Obtain yours with 14 AWG (black, white and green). That will more than safely fill the bill. A male cord cap for the ballast end, and some butt splices for the new sockets at the lamps.

If you're unfamiliar with any of these terms, shoot me a PM and I'll help you out as best I can. I'm right behind you on this one. I'm currently finished with a job, and waiting for my next, so I'm not dropping the cash just yet--until I'm employed again. I'd be happy to help you out. After all, my interest in your success is somewhat self-serving.

Tigermike was kind enough to leave a link for the de 250W HQI sockets in my Upgrading the Coralife. . . .thread--to which you reponded. If I remember, they're about $16 a pair, I think. I just might pick up the sockets first, to make sure there's no issue with them fitting in the existing housings in the 150W fixture.

Let me know how everything is going. I think I'm going to go with the Aquamedic ballast for a few reasons: the single dual ballast is cheaper than two separate ones, I'm familiar with Aquacave's service, (I purchased an Aquactinics TX5 T5 fixture from them about a year ago and they did me right.) And, lastly, I'm an electrician, so the wiring poses no issue for me. They're a 3Reef sponsor, too.

 

reefsparky thanks a lot for your input. About an hour ago I just purchased 2 galaxy 250w electronic ballasts, lamp cables that has male connectors, 2 250w phoenix 14k's, and sockets from aquacave. fortunately aquacaves warehouse is only 40 min away and im gonna pick em up tommorow afternoon. Ill be installing everything tommorow night. So right now Im pretty psyched.

Im almost certain that the bulbs and sockets will fit. coralife makes a 250 w version of this fixture. Also there is plenty of room in this fixture. So im thrilled to do this tommorow night.

For a $400 upgrade it should be a great outcome.

 

I'm just as stoked as you. I'm most interested in the installation of the new sockets. All else should be a breeze. Good luck, man! I might be hitting you up for advice when I do the upgrade!

 

dont worry reefsparky... Im gonna be taking pictures as I do this little project and will post them.

 

you stated some butt splices for the new sockets... Please help me on these... not sure what they are

 

A butt splice is a barrel shaped affair, insulated (usually) on the outside, and bare metallic on the inside. The wires in need of a splice are stripped, slid in from either end, and a tool is used to crimp the barrel, forming a splice. It's permanent and non-reversible. A wrap of electrical tape is usually applied to the entire length of the splice, and you're good to go.



The one pictured is rated for wire from 10 AWG to 12 AWG.

By the way, if there is means to terminate the wire at the sockets, you wouldn't need these. If on the other hand, the sockets come with a short length of wire terminated on the device itself, (if the terminations were soldered, for example) then butt splices would be helpful. I've not dealt with these sockets yet, but I'm guessing they come with screw type terminals where you'd just insert the wire and tighten the screw. If that's the case, you wouldn't need to make any splices--and that would be ideal.

 

I just got home with my new ballasts, sockets, bulbs, and lamp cords... IM DREWLING RIGHT NOW.

these ballast just pullin them out the box is just beautiful.

The lamp cords are twice as thick as the coralife lamp cords... Good thing I bought these.

heres some pics from my phone. Lost the digital camera

 

ok heres this terminal block...
Honestly do I really need this reefsparky... Ive never seen this before... o yea I noticed it says "igniter" with all different voltages underneath...

Sorry I know pic not that good. using camera phone

 

well reefsparky its a success for the most part. Still cant get the cooling fan to go... but all in all a success!!!

Wouldnt recommend an aqualight now since I know what kind of ballast they provide. but for the beginner with metal halides... would be a good start.

Would post pictures but they didnt come out.

Phoenix 14k are BLUE!!! dont even need actinics. but actinics add the extra edge. 250w definitely more intense than the 150w. Not by an enormous amount. but definitely noticeable.

All thats left to do is fix the damn fan.

All in all I do recommend this type of project to anyone looking to upgrade their aqualight without having to buy a completely new light.

Will continue posting in this thread until fan problem solved.

And again THANKS reefsparky!!!!

 

Actually there is a HUGE difference in the intensity!!!!