Metal Halide

[discretekarma]

Hello,

 

I recently have been working on setting up my new 180 gallon tank. Everyone has been so helpful every step of the way. I just added water today for the first time and I now have a question about the lighting.

 

The tank came with two VHO 110 watt T-12 actinic bulbs and two 250 watt metal halides. Both are retro kits built in to the hood. One of the metal halides seems to be brighter than the other so I was assuming that the bulbs may need to be replaced. Is this correct?

 

If so, what would be a good bulb to purchase? I.e. brand, 10,000k, 15,000k, 20,000k etc.

 

Also, the bulbs independently turn off for a while and then turn back on. Is this an overheating problem? Would it be a good idea to put fans blowing under the hood on to the ballasts or bulbs?

 

Sorry for so many questions but I really want to set this up properly.

 

Everyone has been so helpful.

 

When I was told that WAMAS would be the best $20 I even spent....that was an understatement.

 

Thanks so much.

Edited July 11, 2007 by discretekarma

[jamesbuf]

Where do you have your ballasts placed? Make sure they are in a place where the air is not stagnant and the heat will not build up. I would also double check your wiring. Its weird that one bulb is buring brighter than the other. I had no problems with it. I've got some old XM 10K bulbs you can borrow to compare to see if its the bulbs or not.

[discretekarma]

It's not actually brighter...one is more blue than the other. If it is the bulbs...what would be the best bet to replace them with?

 

 

Where do you have your ballasts placed? Make sure they are in a place where the air is not stagnant and the heat will not build up. I would also double check your wiring. Its weird that one bulb is buring brighter than the other. I had no problems with it. I've got some old XM 10K bulbs you can borrow to compare to see if its the bulbs or not.

[Guest tgallo]

Ballast Cycling

Undesirable condition under which the ballast turns lamps on and off (cycles) due to the overheating of the thermal switch inside the ballast. This may be due to incorrect lamps, improper voltage being supplied, high ambient temperature around the fixture, or the early stage of ballast failure.

 

Thermal Protector

A self resetting switch that disconnects power to the ballast if internal temperatures rise above the trip point- typically 105C.

 

What type bulbs do you have, what type ballast's, are the ballast's mounted inside the hood?.

[Gatortailale]

When the bulbs are cool, pull them out of the socket and see if there is any marking on each bub - like a brand name, or 10k, 14k, 20 .... Could be possible that person who sold them to you put in two old bulbs of different brands. Unless you know the date they were first installed, or on a budget, I would replace with new.

 

Why they cut out -- I'll leave that to the electricians of the club - like tgallo

[discretekarma]

I took out the bulbs and I don't think they are the same. They are different sizes and one says XM250/D and the other says 250w and then below it says CE. Should I just replace? What would be a good replacement?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When the bulbs are cool, pull them out of the socket and see if there is any marking on each bub - like a brand name, or 10k, 14k, 20 .... Could be possible that person who sold them to you put in two old bulbs of different brands. Unless you know the date they were first installed, or on a budget, I would replace with new.

 

Why they cut out -- I'll leave that to the electricians of the club - like tgallo

Edited July 11, 2007 by discretekarma