Switching to MH need suggestions

I went with a no name fixture that I got new on ebay. 2 250 MH, 4 T5 accent, and 2 moon light clusters. It is plenty of light for my 90. I do recommend spending the extra and getting a name brand. The MH lamps that came with the fixture only lasted 3 months then I had to get new. Replaced them with 10000k Coralife lamps.

 

I had been thinking of that one for a while. I am so glad you posted this as all the ebay feedback was form customers who just got it. I had been wondering how it lasted in the long run.

 

This may be a stupid question, but again, I am new to the Halide's here, Did you have to change the ballasts when you switched to the 14k? Or is the ballasts just for wattage?
For example, If I had a 250w ballast, and changed from a 250w bulb, 10k, to a 250w bulb with 14k? ;D;D

 

a 250w ballast will power any 250w bulb... but then you get into HQI or normal types of bulb. they really arent that different other than the way that they start up and the size of the reaction chamber. If you get electronic ballasts you will be able to power any type of bulb you want... a magnetic ballast may or may not be able to power a HQI bulb

 

I was thinking of this one, 150 watts, and 14k. I l;ike the built in timer deal I have on the T5 unit:
AquaticLife HID Metal Halide fixtures with T5 HO and Lunar LEDs

or this one:
Coralife Aqualight Elite Series 3x175 Watt, 72 inch

or this one:
Marineland Marine Series Pro Metal Halide Fixture 3X150W HQI & 6X39W T5, 72 inch

or finally:
Hamilton Metal Halide Fixtures, 3x175W 10K, 72 inch

Decisions decisions.... What are your thoughts?

 

I would choose the marineland fixture first and the hamilton as my second choice.