MadReefer Posted January 31, 2009 Share Posted January 31, 2009 I just bought an odyssea 250 watt hqi light to replace a 96 watt PC light on my 20 gallon. It came with a 15,000K bulb. This is my first MH. I changed lights in the afternoon and then I ran the MH for 3.5 hours yesterday and everything seemed to like it. There are LEDs but no other lights on the tank now. I have heard that these ballasts are under powered. I was thinking about running the light for 7 hours and then adding a half hour every few days until I was up to 10-11 hours. I was just going to watch it very close, but I would really appreciate any suggestions on timing. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CCR Posted January 31, 2009 Share Posted January 31, 2009 Too fast. You should do this over several weeks. Raising the time very slowly. 10-11. hr. to long Way different light in all respect. Even start with the light higher off the water and watch very carefully. Also keep a close eye on the temp. A lot more heat!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadReefer Posted January 31, 2009 Author Share Posted January 31, 2009 Okay, I'll cut the time down to 6 hours to start? or 5? Final timing for 9 hours? Would it be good to add just half an hour a week? The first 3.5 hours was no change in temp over the PC fixture. But I am watching that close as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smann Posted January 31, 2009 Share Posted January 31, 2009 You should add some actinics, blues and a white then you can set your lighting and be able to enjoy your tank for 12 hrs while you start the MH at maybe 4- 5hrs then slowly increase it over a few weeks to 8hrs. This will give you more viewing time and also some different lighting during the cycle, like blue in the am, then white/blue, then white/blue/MH, then reverse it in the evening Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadReefer Posted January 31, 2009 Author Share Posted January 31, 2009 That would be nice but there is not room for any more lighting. If I had more money to spend I would have built my own canopy and done a 150/250 MH with a couple of T5s. The moon lights are bright and at night, when all light is off in the room, I can see very well into the tank. When other lights are on in the room, I can see pretty good everything in the tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsoz Posted January 31, 2009 Share Posted January 31, 2009 Time for an upgrade from the 20 to a 40b! dsoz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salty419 Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 My MH lights heat up my water real good i have a fan blowing across the top of my water to keep it cool.I have 2 250 watt lights and the fan keeps it in check for the most part.Any pics of the new light set up? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadReefer Posted February 1, 2009 Author Share Posted February 1, 2009 I was worried about heat but so far it only seems to raise 1 degree from night temp. It's been on for 6 hours and everything is looking very good. Here's a pic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salty419 Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 looks good bet the corals are loveing life with all the light:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downhill_biker Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 congrats on the new light. i too have an odyssea fixture and love it, of course nothing is stock anymore. the ballasts are only powerful enough to power odyssea bulbs. i tried upgrading bulbs and had to buy new balllasts. went ahead and replaced the undersized wiring, and am thinking about replacing the reflectors, but dont know if i can find a good one that fits, the stock ones seem to be pretty good for the time being. i think you will be very happy with the new fixture. if you ever have a ballast die, you can replace it with a new brand, or if money is tight, i have 2 of them i would sell cheap. FYI, that GORGEOUS fish you have in there, is an arabian pseudochromis, and one of the meanest fish you will ever get. They will eat any clean up crew you have, shrimp, snails, hermits; and also beat up much larger fish. Just keep this in mind when stocking your tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downhill_biker Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 oh and just wanted to confirm, start off with 5 hours, and move up 1 hour per week until you are up to your 9 hours. when adding new corals start them in the sand and work up over a couple weeks. most will exibit light shock, either too much or too little, but eventually get back their color, if not more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smann Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 Should be fine, looks like its well established with all the coraline algae growth. Tank looks very nice, I like the way those lights sit on the legs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadReefer Posted February 1, 2009 Author Share Posted February 1, 2009 Thanks for all the help and nice words. I figured I might have to upgrade the ballast in a year or so. I didn't consider the wiring. Did you use 18 gauge wires? The arabian is going to always be alone. I read that you have to put them with much bigger aggressive fish if you want to put them with anything. It is a pig of a fish. It cleaned out most of the amphipods in the tank the first week. Now it eats what I give it and then tries to still all the food I gave my corals. I have to distract it while the corals down their food. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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