Lighting for a 29gal SPS Dominated

[LionfishFinatic]

Ok now that I have put some thought into it, built a canopy for my tank I am ready to start the plunge. Right now I need advice on a lighting fixture. I want to be able to have enough light to keep clams/sps in all parts of the tank, and not just the top. I was looking at either an icecap 150w or 250w for the main light and some supplemental t-5/PC to fill the rest of the tank. I like the look of the phoenix bulb so that is really all I have come to a conclusion on now.

I just DO NOT know what to do. I have seen a couple SPS tanks with outstanding color on this forum but I don't have that kind of money to put into it. how do I go about doing this??? TIA and here are some links

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/Metal_Halide/IceCap/Deluxe_Systems_(MH_Only)/Mini_Pendant_System_-_250W_14000K+_HQI_Phoenix_by_IceCap

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/Metal_Halide/IceCap/Deluxe_Systems_(MH_Only)/Mini_Pendant_System_-_150W_14000K+_HQI_Phoenix_by_IceCap

[Im SpSing]

On my 29 I have a 250w metal halide and it works perfectly. Ih ave a 30 long as my sump with 2 4'' fans in the canopy the temp fluctuates only 1 degree.
Currently I have a 20k XM but if i was doing DE id go with the Pheonix.
Inside the canopy is also a 65w PC actinic for dusk and dawn. The 250w will cover your whole tank.

[sizzlinscion]

i have a 250w metal halide 12k reeflux with 2 VHO's actinics and i get great growth.

[LionfishFinatic]

ttt

[reefturkey]

I like the radium bulbs better. Really good par for a 20k bulb.

[LionfishFinatic]

so do you get the 20k bulb??? Does it look to yellow?? I just absolutely hate the pale yellow looking bulbs, they make the water look gross lol. that is why i picked the phoenix bulb but i might consider giving it a try.

[Lytehouse]

Tank of the month last month was a 600 gal, sps dominated tank and had only T-5 lighting, with no other supplemental lighting. Talking to him he says lot less energy usage, lot less heat and when he checked light out put to the bottom of his tank, T-5 outperformed the halides he was using.

[LionfishFinatic]

I already own 4-24w T-5's but of course no individual reflectors and no ballast. I wanted to try out MH this time and maybe in the future go back to t-5. I just wanted a light I can be absolutely sure that i can keep SPS with, but I may put some more thought into it and decide to go with T-5's instead.

[Bri Guy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11241016#post11241016 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by LionfishFinatic
so do you get the 20k bulb??? Does it look to yellow?? I just absolutely hate the pale yellow looking bulbs, they make the water look gross lol. that is why i picked the phoenix bulb but i might consider giving it a try.

Correct me if Im wrong but isn't it (roughly)

6500K = Yellow
10K = White
14K = Blue with some white
20K = BLUE

[LionfishFinatic]

ya my bad lol, I was thinking of 6500k and the 10k still looks pretty yellow as well. oops lol oh well. any other ideas on bulbs/fixtures??? i like to here a lot of info on the fixtures and first hand experiences before I buy. Right now i am still leaning toward the 250w............

[LionfishFinatic]

ttt

[LionfishFinatic]

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[LionfishFinatic]

ttt