new bulbs

Discussion in 'Metal Halide Aquarium Lighting' started by Midnight_Madman, Dec 1, 2014.

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  1. DSC reef

    DSC reef Giant Squid

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    If you were used to the 10k bulbs then anything above that will look blue to your eyes. I had 12k bulbs for a day and it made my tank look horrible. I put 20k radiums back on and everything was glowing nicely. As you get used to the look they won't look as blue. 10k is really yellow so give it time.
     
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  3. Midnight_Madman

    Midnight_Madman Montipora Digitata

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    One of my ballast burned up already!
     
  4. civiccars2003

    civiccars2003 Great Blue Whale

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    Please explain.
     
  5. Midnight_Madman

    Midnight_Madman Montipora Digitata

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    I'm not sure what happend or wjy. I came home and noticed the smell of electrical burning. There was black power stuff all around it and the circuit tripped on it. I turned it back on and side is out. I opened the ballast and there is a burned hole through the epoxy and black burned powder all over inside
     
  6. Midnight_Madman

    Midnight_Madman Montipora Digitata

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    The seller on ebay refuses to refund and said I caused it from water hitting the bulbs or ballast! Nothing ever splashed..and that would not do it anyway
     
  7. Midnight_Madman

    Midnight_Madman Montipora Digitata

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    As much as I like the shimmer effect, I put my T5 back on the tank yesterday and man.. do the colors seem to brighten inside the tank with those bulbs. Seems like way more light with less watts using the T5s I have just two bulbs running right now (108watts) and it looks brighter then the MH did with 300watts
     
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  9. DSC reef

    DSC reef Giant Squid

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    Sounds like a cheap ballast. Comparing a metal halide bulb with a cheap ballast isn't really conclusive given the bulb can't emit light to it full potential. T5 has a glow effect to light the entire tank. You really need to invest in quality lighting parts to keep your tank happy and also to keep from burning your house down. Cheap knockoffs are to much of a gamble.
     
  10. Midnight_Madman

    Midnight_Madman Montipora Digitata

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    Well the T5 is a decent setup, its a Current Nova Extreme. I like it. I feel a bit safer with the T5's too.
     
  11. DSC reef

    DSC reef Giant Squid

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    I like current, I'm using there halide/T5 combo light on my tanks
     
  12. Vinnyboombatz

    Vinnyboombatz Giant Squid

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    If you want shimmer why not just add a strip of leds??
     
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