almostthere002

http://shop.aquatraders.com/Odyssea-...ct-p/54202.htm

Can you let me know what you think of this? I never heard of the brand before although that's not saying much because I never looked into MH lighting but this seems like what I am looking for. This is 350 watts am I going to strong now? My tank dims are 30"L x 18"W x 24"H. It's 56 gallons. They have a 250 watt light too if you think this is too much. Also, if you are familiar with MH lighting could you please read the discription because I dont know if I need a seperate ballast or if it is built in. I am confused on what a ballast is. Thanks.

Slug

The ballast is the thing that powers the light. The ballast will be what plugs into the wall. On this one its included, but is external. So you'll have the light system thats shown in the picture then a cord from it to a ballast...which is like a box type thing then that has a cord to the wall. Power switch will be on the ballast box for the MH. The compact florescent ballasts will be inside the fixture itself and the switches for those lights and the moonlights will be on the fixture.

These things can get very hot so make sure you have somewhere to put it (the external ballast). And don't put it where water could drip onto it.

The 350w is including the Actinic and moonlights....which neither is going to do much for you for lighting anyway. I wouldn't even count them. So 250w, since the bulk of your light is coming from the MH. The Actinics just provide more blue to the spectrum. And the LEDs are just moonlights for night. With this light it seems like the tank color will be quite blue, not sure. You can always switch the MH bulb for a different K rating later if its to blue.

250w MH should be fine for the tank.

I must warn you though. I've seen many heated discussions about Aquatraders. Not the best reviews...i'd save your money on this one and buy a better fixture later.

almostthere002

Thanks for the info. I really want a PC instead of MH because of heat issues and other things I have been reading. I was reading another thread on this light in another forum and it is getting mixed reviews but I did read in most of the reviews not to order from aquatraders.com. The PC i find aren't going to work with my tank because it is 24" deep and only 30" wide which is making it hard to find anything. Do you just mount the ballast to a wall away from the tank or is it too hot for a wall?

harpua2002

I'd suggest the clamp-on Coralife MH light I linked in your other thread rather than anything Oddysea/Jebo. The 150W should be fine for your tank IMO, and you can get a nice bluish color without supplemental lighting if you go with a 14K or 20K bulb. That fixture isn't the best out there by a long shot, but the price is good and I'd trust anything by Coralife as opposed to Odyssea/Jebo. I've heard too many horror stories to even consider their products. Just a thought.

almostthere002

I am definitly keeping the link you sent me as my first option. I was just looking around and found that other light and I liked how it was set up. I don't want to go cheap I'd rather save up for something then buy something I will need to replace. The one you sent me the link to...do I need to purchase a ballast seperately. I can contact the store if you don't know off hand. Honestly, my biggest worry here is a fire/melting hazard with the MH because they get so hot. So, for MH lighting I want a good safe product, not cheap and dangerous. Thanks again for your help while I wade through all this lighting info. It is quite confusing to me...I know nothing when it comes to this part. My LFS is very helpful but their products are highly marked up. They always suggest products and then I buy the same thing somewhere else because I save at least 20%. They even suggest looking at another store for the same product on some things. But they are great. It's too bad that light wont work. It would look really nice above the tank and I need moon lights and it had them.

harpua2002

Here's the link again.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...2&pcatid=13922
Looks like it includes a ballast and a bulb.

almostthere002

I think I will get that one. It is somewhat small, nice and That's a trusted brand and website. Do you know what my tank lighting would be considered with this light when I am looking for coral? (low, medium or high?) Thanks again for all your help. I could figure almost all of the other stuff out but the lighting...you've been a huge help.

harpua2002

Honestly, I'm not sure because your tank is so deep. I do know that the bulb that's included isn't the best, and you could probably get better results with another brand. That said, I wouldn't bother replacing it until you need to... MH bulbs are expensive. I would imagine that you could keep high light corals, like some SPS, near the top of the tank and they would be fine.

almostthere002

Ok...That's fine because I dont really know what i will keep in there yet but most I was looking at was low to medium (I think). I was busy researching my fish for awhile and now that I am just about done with that I was going to get started on other things. I still need a more advanced testing kit, refractometer and research but atleast I know what range to buy in. I will probably buy in the medium range just to keep it on the safe side.