Lighting setup, did I finally decide?

[nine9d]

Tell me if I am an idiot for wanting this setup or if I am on the right track here. It is for a 75g. I really like the way actinic supplements look, so I definitely want something like I have listed. Thanks everyone and don't laugh at me.

MH
QTY 2 (20K 250watt DE Hqi Metal Halide Bulb - CoralVue) $69.95 ea.
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=PA&Product_Code=20K-250HQI-CV&Category_Code=Hbulbs

QTY 2 (Reef Optix III Plus - 250W HQI Pendant) $109.00 ea.
http://reefgeek.com/products/categories/lighting/104278.html

QTY 1 (IceCap 250watt NEW Style Halide Ballast) $114.95
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=PA&Product_Code=ICE-250NB&Category_Code=Ice-halide

SUPLEMENTS
QTY 1 (48" Retrofit: 2-54W T5 HO Fluorescents) $179.00 (BULBS INCLUDED)
http://reefgeek.com/products/categories/lighting/104067.html

QTY 1 (54W 11000K Aqua T5 HO Fluorescent -INCLUDED)
http://reefgeek.com/products/categories/lighting/104039.html

QTY 1 (54W Actinic 03 T5 HO Fluorescent - INCLUDED)
http://reefgeek.com/products/categories/lighting/104041.html

Ross,
not Russ <-- I think I am going to use this for my new sig :) LOL

[Tomzpc]

Ross,

Sounds like a good setup to me Ross. Does Premium Aquatics sell the stuff that you're planning to get from reefgeek? I'm pretty sure that they'll match any price. They're my favorite online supplier for drygoods.

How do you plan on suspending/mounting the flourescents along with the MH pendants?

I'm thinking about replacing my vho system in the new year. I currently run 660 watts of retrofit vho on two icecap ballasts and am considering two metal halide pendants or an 8 bulb T-5 Tek light. I am currently leaning heavily towards the tek-light which would allow me to use an open-top canopy with reduced heat and longer bulb life but it's hard to say no to those glitter lines from halides.

Tom

[masterswimmer]

Hey Ross,
Looks really good. You should be able to keep anything under those puppies that you want. I just put my actinics and blue plus and 11k bulb in my 6 x 54w T-5. The colors look great. Your supplementing w/ T-5 will bring out some awesome colors.

How wide is the 2 bulb T-5 fixture? Will you have enough room to suspend the T-5's and the MH? Remember you'll want to keep the T-5's only a couple of inches above the tank. The MH will be about 8" above the tank. Don't want to see the T-5 fixture block the MH. Shadows wouldn't be good. Glitter lines=good, shadow=bad.

Russ, not Ross

[masterswimmer]

By the way, I like your new sig.!!!!!!

[ChrisRD]

Sounds like a great setup to me - you'll be able to keep anything under that lighting. With that much light, though, you might as well put a 120 (4'X2'X2') under it now...;)

[andro]

Damn, I thought my tank was bright, can't wait to see your tank lit up like that.

I was thinking of going with 2x250 15k and 2 actinic vho tubes possibly next year, I will wait to see your tank lit before I decide.

-Ian

[nine9d]

O.k. guys. Just a quick post and I will answer your questions later tonite. Do you think that the prices are about right? I don't want to over-spend.

P.S. - If that lighting is good for a 120g at 4'X2'X2', I may just go with that size. Sheesh, I think the wife will kill me!

[seaham358]

Ross stop by my home and after you see my 125 you will go for the 120 insetad of the 75. I was going to get a 75 to start but Ed at the barn talked me into the 125 and Im glad he did. Talk to casiokid about getting a tank, he can hook you up.

[foxstop]

It looks great Russ!
I know you were wrestling with the lighting choice as was I as we spoke at the last meeting.

Speaking with Adam about the 250W, 20K, DE bulbs helped me decide to go in that direction too. (I'm guessing it helped you too:D)

At the moment think I am going to go with 2 Coralvue 250w with the Coralvue Electronic Ballasts and 2 PFO pendants.

Can't wait to see your pics after you get your setup!

Take care.

Brian

[masterswimmer]

Hey Brian,
I think you meant Ross, not Russ.

Confused? I think my mother would be confused too....
Russ, not Ross

[seaham358]

You guys are killing me....... at least us Bobs and Robs have it easy........
The other Bob

[absolut]

QTY 1 (IceCap 250watt NEW Style Halide Ballast) $114.95


Dont you need two of these ballasts to power two bulbs/pendants?? or is it a dual ballast??

[foxstop]

Thanks for the correction.
I'll get the Ross/Russ thing straight eventually!:hammer:

[Casanokid]

After you decide what you want....Get the price and contact me....
I may be able to give you the best price

[nine9d]

Originally posted by Casanokid
After you decide what you want....Get the price and contact me....
I may be able to give you the best price Did you get my e-mail bud?

P.S. - I have been busy the past few days. My bro's b-day on the 30th and mine on the 31st. Went out yesterday and just got back at 5 am. I am tired! Talk to you all went my energy kicks in. Lata.

[foxstop]

Ross,

I decided to go with the 250w, 20K DE Coralvue electronic ballasts and bulbs in th PFO HQI pendants from Adam at Tridacna Reef.
I think I'm eventually going to hang them from the ceiling.
Right now I'm not planning any supplementation, but I will evaluate how it looks and performs before I decide what to do.

Brian

[nine9d]

I was also thinking the same only to save on a couple of bucks in the beginning being how bright these lights are. I am such a fool, I didn't know Adam had these for sale, I just thought he was speaking highly of them. I rather go through him and give a local guy the business. Thanks for letting me know.

[andro]

To save some $$$ that's why I went with the 250 watt XM bulbs and no activic VHO, I am happy with the color, and it is damn bright enough. I would like to see what the coralvue bulbs look like.

-Ian

[absolut]

andro,

would you mind listing what 250W ballast and pendant you are using??

my plan for my 250W upgrade is to use the PFO mini pendants w/ Icecap Electronic HQI Ballast.

At first I was going to get the Ushios and then buy actinic supplement later, but after the crazyness of the thread I read about endcap fires I think I changed my mind and will go with a 20k bulb.

[andro]

absolut,

I have:

2 @ PFO Optimal Reflector w/mogule socket
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=PA&Product_Code=PFO-RSAMOG&Category_Code=Sockets

and

1 @ PFO 250 watt Dual Metal Halide Ballast
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=PA&Product_Code=PFO250D&Category_Code=PFOballast

with

2 @ 250W XM 20,000K
http://www.hellolights.com/250wxm20000k.html

-Ian

[foxstop]

Those of us who saw Ian's tank know that setup puts out some intense light with nice blue color. That helped me solidify my choice of the 20K bulbs to start with.

Brian

[absolut]

is this: http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=PF1632

the same as this: http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=PA&Product_Code=PFO250D&Category_Code=PFOballast

and if so, what's with the huge price difference?? am I missing something or does premium aquatics have it wayyy cheaper??

edit: well I did just notice that the price for shipping is higher @ premium but that's still $192.95 compared to $246.95

[andro]

Looks the same to me, if you mention when you order from premium aquatics that you are a RC ember, they might waive the shipping cost, they did for me.

-Ian

[andro]

Oops, just noticed that the marine depot one is HQI, that is what the diff is, HQI is more money, you need HQI for radiums (i think) Even though it is 250 watt, it overdrives the bulbs I think.

-Ian

[absolut]

good catch, I didn't see that.

I'm goin for a DE application so I will be needing the HQI anyway. I'm thinkin about goin with the Icecap 250W electronic HQI ballast over the core and coil 250W PFO HQI ballast, just for the fact that it is electronic.