TEK T5's to MH

I am looking at replacing my TEK 8 bulb fixture with MH as I have had nothing but trouble with the TEK. I have been through 2 ballast on this thing since December. I thought the TEKs were supposed to be the bomb. Any way does any one have any recommendations on what MH fixture to get. My tank is 24" deep so could I get away with 2 250 watt or do I need 2 400 watt. I am wanting to use 20,000 k bulbs so would I still need actinics? Thanks for your help.

 

Wow, sorry about your troubles with the TEK. You got a lemon....because they are generally a great product. Sunlight Supply also makes a fixture called Maristar (but it is the same company that makes the TEK....so I do not know how you feel about that). The ballasts would be a different animal I am sure. For the 120g, two 250W are not enough IMO. I would go 2x400W. And yes, I would still use actinics. If you have a canopy I would just retrofit it with the 2x400W and get 4x54W actinics and run 420nm.

Again, sorry about your misadvantures with the lighting system. Hard thing to swallow. I will PM you.

 

You could do 2x either 250w HQI (double ended) or 400w MH (single ended) and be fine. Keep some lights either vho, pc or t5 for actinics though.
And just ship that POS tek light to me. I'll get it working and put it to use.

 

i would say 2 250s are enough my buddy had that setup on his 120. if you get 2 400's you will more than likely need a chiller.
imo actinics aren't necessary on any tank, but they will increase a corals coloration beyond what a halide could do.

 

Yes it is driving me mad having these problems out of a highly recommended product. I just cant believe both ballast went out in this short amount of time but I tell you if anything can go wrong it will happen to me. Not sure how I feel about sunlight supply's products now as I know a lot of people say they are good but then again look at my point of view. I guess I have some researching to do on the MH's. I will send you a PM about what you asked John.

Bogie could you explain why 2 double ended 250's or 2 400 singles. I am clueless about MH's and thanks for your input. If and when I do get rid of them they are already spoken for. Sorry my man. It is on its way back to me with brand new ballasts so it SHOULD be in working order but dang if I know for how long.

I really don't want to have to add a chiller and I am not that big a fan of sps corals so I am thinking of the 2 250's as mentioned and some sort of t5's for actinics now.


Thanks guys for the input so far.

 

Unfortunately, this EXACT light is the ONLY one that will work for your particular tank.
48 inch Giesemann Moonlight Infiniti 2x250W HQI + 4x54W T5 Light Fixture - Black





3G's -> you know I'm joking right, but seriously something setup similar to this is all you'll need.

 

3G's! yea right. I love the hobby but not that much. LOL I'll look around and see what I find. Thanks Bogie

 

Does this look like a good combo or should I go with a set up that is in its own fixture?
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/Me..._System_w!_2x250W_20000K _HQI_Ushio_by_IceCap
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5...5_High-Output_Retrofit_Kit_w!_Bulbs_by_IceCap

 

I would like to bump this because I was wondering the same thing.

 

My opinion is to go with 8 T5's on IceCap ballasts, BUT that may not be your cup of tea. I have a 90 with 6 T5's and it works well for me, add 6" of width and 2 more bulbs and you are all set.

However, if you are set on going to halides, I think a pair of 250W Phoenix 14K's would be great. That particular bulb looks very nice, without any actinic supplementation at all.

There are many ways to go, I am a T5 fan, but halides will certainly work as well.