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What is THE BEST lighting system? |
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Hamilton's best lighting system is the Deluxe Aluminum Metal Halide combined with Compact Fluorescent. The compact fluorescent can be left on all day, and the Metal Halides can be left on in the middle of the day (4-6 hours). This simulates a dawn to dusk effect, and the Metal Halides simulate high noon.
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What type of lighting do you recommend for a reeftank (Corals)? |
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Corals, anemones, etc. require much lighting. The best light to supplement a healthy marine environment is Metal Halides and Compact Fluorescents (or T12 Fluorescent tubes). This combination of lights will also allow you to create a dawn and dusk effect to your tank, and will most naturally simulate natural sun.
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What type of lighting do you recommend for a Saltwater tank (Fish)? |
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Metal Halides are not necessary, but they would make a better crisp appearance of the tank with along with a rippling effect to the water. The Blue Compact Fluorescent bulbs in the ABS systems & retrofits, and the Super Actinic Blue in the Fluorescent Deluxe Aluminum Lighting systems & retrofits bring out the fluorescent vibrant colors of your fish.
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Which bulb is better: Compact Fluorescent or (T12) Fluorescent? |
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The Compact Fluorescents are better because they are MUCH BRIGHTER than the VHO's and they hold their spectrum longer. The Compact Fluorescent bulb is a new technology, and you only have to replace them every 14-16 months while the VHO's need to be replaced every 4-6 months.
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What type of lighting do you recommend for a Freshwater tank (Plants)? |
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No Actinic Blue lights are necessary. Use only Metal Halides or Compact Fluorescents. Do not go any higher than a 10K bulb. |
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| TROUBLESHOOTING |
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What should I do if my Metal Halide won't light up? |
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The Metal Halide may come on and off. This is normal for the first two or three weeks. The bulb will do that a few times before staying on. After this break-in period, the bulb should stabilize. First, unplug your system, and let it cool down if hot. All Metal Halides will not work unless they are allowed 30 minutes to cool down before restarting. Then, pull the little tab on the end of the spring inside the socket up to make sure base of bulb is in contact with bottom of the socket. It may be that the bulb is not making contact with the socket. Screw the bulb back in all the way so that it is in contact with bottom of the socket. Check bulb for internal damage, a small amount of broken glass is normal inside the outer glass. If you have another bulb, try it. If the second bullb does not light, the ballast may be the problem. Check to make sure the connection from ballast to bulb is in contact.
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My Fluorescent Tube is not lighting. |
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Each tube has 4 pins (2 at each end). If one of the four pin connections is not good or one tube is bad, the other 2 tubes will not work with the ballast on. Make sure the tube is rotated in the socket and socket makes good contact with each pin. Switch bulbs around. Try other tubes, if 40w system, substitute with regular "household 40w". Make sure the customer is using the correct wattage bulbs for his system, i.e. 40w bulbs with 40w ballast.
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| LIGHTING INFO. |
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What is the volatage? |
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All light systems are made for U.S. standard 110/120 volt 60 Hz house current 240V 60Hz. 400w and 1000w Greenhouse lights are available (but optional). Also available on request: 100 volts 50 Hz or 60 Hz for Japan and 220V 50 Hz for Europe and other countries.
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How many amps do the lights use? |
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Each 400 watt uses less than 5 amps of electricity at 120 volts. Each 175 watt uses less than 2 amps of elextricity at 120 volts. |
