MH problem and question about clams

I've *finally* changed out the lighting over one of my tanks and added
400 W MH. My problem is that the bulb will fire for about 2 hours
and then shut down. After 10-12 minutes it turns back on again, then
goes off about 5-8 minutes later, repeating this cycle.

I've done some research and everything that I can find about on/off/on/off
indicates that it happens right away, not after 2 hours of being on.

The ballast is Advance M59 dual volt HID, Ushio 10,000K mogul bulb
(hellolights said would work fine with ballast) Is this a heat problem
or could it be part of the burn-in cycle or ???

Next for you clam owners:
If you had a choice between these 2 lighting scenarios, where would
you place a maxima or crocea clam?
1) 400 W MH 10,000K & 2x40 NO actinic 12 inches above water, water
to DSB = 15 inches
2) 4x110 W VHO & 2x40 NO actinic 5 inches above water, water to
DSB = 10 inches

I'm thinking #1 will give me the best penetration to the depth, anyone
disagree?

Thanks,
Dave Johnson

Dave Johnson wrote:
I've *finally* changed out the lighting over one of my tanks and added
400 W MH. My problem is that the bulb will fire for about 2 hours
and then shut down. After 10-12 minutes it turns back on again, then
goes off about 5-8 minutes later, repeating this cycle.

I've done some research and everything that I can find about on/off/on/off
indicates that it happens right away, not after 2 hours of being on.

The ballast is Advance M59 dual volt HID, Ushio 10,000K mogul bulb
(hellolights said would work fine with ballast) Is this a heat problem
or could it be part of the burn-in cycle or ???
It is hard to say, how long have you had this lighting system running.
My first guess is that it is part of the burn in and will quite in a
couple of days.










Next for you clam owners:
If you had a choice between these 2 lighting scenarios, where would
you place a maxima or crocea clam?
1) 400 W MH 10,000K & 2x40 NO actinic 12 inches above water, water
to DSB = 15 inches
2) 4x110 W VHO & 2x40 NO actinic 5 inches above water, water to
DSB = 10 inches

There is no comparision, setup 1 will give a lot more light to the
clams even though it is farther to the light.

Kim
www.jensalt.com

I have no idea why your lights are shutting off. It does sound like it is
overheating to me. However, I don't know if your bulbs are getting too hot, or
your ballast perhaps...

Regarding lighting for your clams... go with Option 1. I'm about to follow
suit. I have dual 175w 10,000K bulbs going over my 55g as soon as the quick
connect cords arrive. I'll supplement with one 110w VHO actinic at first. If
that isn't enough, I'll add one more.

Marc


Dave Johnson wrote:

I've *finally* changed out the lighting over one of my tanks and added
400 W MH. My problem is that the bulb will fire for about 2 hours
and then shut down. After 10-12 minutes it turns back on again, then
goes off about 5-8 minutes later, repeating this cycle.

I've done some research and everything that I can find about on/off/on/off
indicates that it happens right away, not after 2 hours of being on.

The ballast is Advance M59 dual volt HID, Ushio 10,000K mogul bulb
(hellolights said would work fine with ballast) Is this a heat problem
or could it be part of the burn-in cycle or ???

Next for you clam owners:
If you had a choice between these 2 lighting scenarios, where would
you place a maxima or crocea clam?
1) 400 W MH 10,000K & 2x40 NO actinic 12 inches above water, water
to DSB = 15 inches
2) 4x110 W VHO & 2x40 NO actinic 5 inches above water, water to
DSB = 10 inches

I'm thinking #1 will give me the best penetration to the depth, anyone
disagree?

Thanks,
Dave Johnson

--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

"kim gross" wrote in message
...
Dave Johnson wrote:
I've *finally* changed out the lighting over one of my tanks and added
400 W MH. My problem is that the bulb will fire for about 2 hours
and then shut down. After 10-12 minutes it turns back on again, then
goes off about 5-8 minutes later, repeating this cycle.
It is hard to say, how long have you had this lighting system running.
My first guess is that it is part of the burn in and will quite in a
couple of days.

Today was the 5th day running the lights. And if I'd have remembered
the motto of reef (PATIENCE) and waited til tonight to post, instead
of this morning, I'd have seen the lights work just great w/out shutting
off at all today. Sigh...

Thanks, and I'm gonna go with clam(s) under the MH, just wondering
if anyone had a compelling argument against. Plus the tank where the
clam(s) will be is topless so it'll be much easier to see them from above.

Cheers,
Dave Johnson