MH Question

[Magick]

Okay, I'm trying to get everything together to set up my 1st ever reef tank and I have a lighting question.
I have a 30 gallon cube tank and I'm looking at the SunPod 70W MH HQI setup. My question is this: Can I upgrade wattage to 150 simply by buying a 150 bulb? Or does the fixture itself have to be 150W?
I'm planning on having a pair of clowns & a BTA, along with cleaner crew & possibly some 'shrooms. In my dreams, I'd also have a clam. But that's down the road.
So if anyone can educate me on MH wattage bulb vs. fixture, or if anyone has any opinions on the SunPod, please let me know.

Thanx,
Tammy

[lReef lKeeper]

the fixture or ballast will also have to be 150w, so it will be able to fire the bigger bulb. sorry to bust your bubble, but if you use a 70w balast or fixture to push a 150w bulb it won't work. however, on a good note, you can usually find good deals on 150w kits on ebay. or Eric (perpetual98 on here) might be able to help you get an even better deal.

[Magick]

Okay... That makes sense. Thanks for the response. It's been a battle getting this started... my hubby is NOT thrilled, but I've got this great cube tank, so I figure I'll slowly gather the rest of the stuff, and before he knows it... We'll have a happy little reef!!

[lReef lKeeper]

not a problem, i like helping people out !! any more questions, just ask here and i am sure we can help you out !!

[perpetual98]

You could use the 70W for a while, but I wouldn't put a BTA under it, even though they're not as light demanding as some of the other anemones. Trust me, at some point you're going to wish that you spent the money on the right lighting the first time instead of buying lighting twice.

That's a cool sized tank. I was looking to get one for my office.

You can check out my store at www.myreefshop.com if you want. If you're looking for something that you don't see at the store, just let me know and I'll see if I can get it and add it to the store for you.

Later!
Eric

[Magick]

Yeah, I will wait til I find the 150W fixture. Has anyone had any experience with the SunPod? The tank is cool, but requires a short light fixture (20").

[perpetual98]

The sunpod is probably one of your best bets because of the limited tank width, unless you wanted to go with a retro type setup and make your own canopy or something like that.

Looking at the sunpods, you're talking about $250 for the 150W version or $230 for the 70W version. It's a no brainer to just get the 150W off the bat.

Those are prices from online stores. You might be able to get a better price on ebay, but just make sure that you watch the shipping charges. Sometimes they nail you.

Let me know when you're serious about buying and I'll see what kind of price I can get you.

Eric

[Magick]

Thanx Eric!!! As a total newbie, I'd be lost without the forums!! I figure I'll start with the cube, until I become offically addicted. Then I have dreams of a multi-tank setup connected by a HUGE basement sump... I figure if I'm gonna dream, might as well dream big :rolleyes:

[Magick]

Eric,

I'm about 80% ready to buy. Mostly depends on the price.

[perpetual98]

No problem! I've been doing this stuff for several years now and I know that it can be frustrating in the beginning. There's lots of helpful people here so feel free to ask all the questions you want. Better to ask first than make mistakes.

Eric

[perpetual98]

I'll check my price books tomorrow to make sure that nothing has changed!

Eric

[perpetual98]

FYI: I added the SunPods to my store. Let me know if you're going to order and I'll try to shoot you a coupon code to save you a few more bucks. :)

Eric

[Magick]

Eric,

You ROCK!! I'll be buying from you middle of next week... Just gotta sneak the delivery past the hubby :rolleyes:

[perpetual98]

You're fortunate that it's generally pretty easy to distract a husband. :)

[The coral Bandit]

Ok, How do you distract the wifey.... ?
If your tank is just going to have softies and shrooms 70w will be fine but if you plan to have stoneys wait and buy the 150w

[seahorsedreams]

Perpetual.... where's this store of yours :-) I'm setting up multiple tanks at the moment and could always use a new source.

Tammy, get your husband slowly involved in the hobby. If he sees something he likes for the tank that is appropriate... even if you don't particularily like it..... get it for him. Let him pick a spot in the tank... compliment him on his selection of placement..... comment a couple of weeks later about how well the coral is doing in the spot he chose.

Get really excited when you buy something....... share that excitment with him..... ummm.... that night. Repeat it enough and he'll recognize the cause and effect going on (subconciously or otherwise) and soon will get excited himself with new tank additons and what not....

He'll grow to love it too and than all your dreams will come true!

[seahorsedreams]

Ok, How do you distract the wifey.... ?

Buy her diamonds or get a Cabana Boy.

[Sea~Horse~Whisperer]

When my hubby spent WAY too much money in the casino.....he bought me the new 75G tank and stand. (which wasn't even close to what he lost in the casino! Yikes!) It didn't distract me, but I got what I wanted ;) And he only got screamed at for a few days instead of a few weeks.

Buy him something he wants, it doesn't have to be fish related.

[The coral Bandit]

Buy her diamonds or get a Cabana Boy.

Could I get her a diamond goby instead..lol

[Sweetpea]

I figure if I'm gonna dream, might as well dream big :rolleyes:
Tammy, you got that right!!! :-)
As for distracting the husbands/wives... you guys are too dang funny! A real diamond or a diamond goby? Hmm... I think I'd love either one! I think I wrote in my mock personal add to forget the roses, and buy me a fish! ;)