Getting new Lights

[DaveC]

I have some money built up in my paypal account so what better way to spend it then new lights...but I have a couple questions....first I have a 125 gallon which alot of acro's and some softies....right now I have a 250W in the center and 175W at the ends (total of 3 MH)...the center sucks because it is over the support...I was think the PFO from premimunaquatics the retro 250W 65K kit is only $368.00, but then again the 400W 65K kit is only $10.00 more than the 250W...would 400W be an overkill on a 125 Gall...what I was thinking is get rid of the 250W in the center...move the dual 175W left and right of the support with the new 250W or 400W at the ends...just not sure which to get the 250W or the 400W...also my other question which maybe I should ask premimun is if I get the 250W 65K or the 400W 65K and decide to change bulbs next year to the 10K Ushio German will the bulb work...does the probe, pulse think come into question here???? I kind of what the option to change bulbs to whatever I want....I usually only use either the Iwaki 65K or the Ushio 10K bulbs anyways....just wondering what you think about the setup in general, and about the bulbs and if either will work on a PFO ballast..the description does not say if the ballast is pulse or probe..

Tks
Dave C

[Chuck S]

You should be able to use the 65 10 and 20k bulbs all on a normal ballast. If the units ship on an eye ballast then that will only drive the 65k. Just make sure to get a ballast you can burn the 10 and 65k on which is most any normal halide ballast.

Now as far as halides I personally use 2 400watt halides over my 120 however you can get away with 3 250 watt halides over that tank. Save the money in electricity. Lord knows every penny helps.

I have 5 tanks and pay about 250-300 in electricity every month.

[DaveC]

Chuck...I know what you are saying about the ballasts and saving electricity...the only reason I was going to get duals and then use my dual 175W (total 4) instead of 3 total of whatever wattage is because of the center support..my 125 has the single divider in the middle...I have seen some 125's that have two evenly divided center supports which would work out perfect for 3 MH lamps..but I would have to offset the center either left of right and might look a little off if you know what I mean...I don't really want to run 4 bulbs, but I don't think I have alot of choices...

Tks
Dave C