Lighting for a 90

[jfloydr]

I'm looking at getting 2x400 Mh with electronic Coralvue ballast and 14k Hamilton bulb
Or I can get 2x250 with Icecap E ballast and same bulb for $40 less
I wanted this bulb because from my research I've done people say you don't need actinics
Has Anyone seen this bulb in person?
Any other suggestions?
Thanks,
Jeff

[JNG567]

Im using this bulb, I like it very much. But its not as bright as a 10k obviously but I am very happy with the color. I was going to do it over again I would go with the DE set up

[JNG567]

I like it minus the problems Im having hahah

[jfloydr]

are you using actinic supplementation with it?
what wattage is yours?

[manderx]

i've seen the 250w DE on icecap and it looks nice. i wish i had gotten them rather than the giesemann 14.5s i recently got.

[jfloydr]

Was that without actinics? What kind of light do you have over that 30 cube in your post with the pics?

[manderx]

with and without actinics looks nice. i have an old XM 20K over the 30 cube. it'll probably be a hamilton sooner than later so i'll feel better about putting clams in there.

[jfloydr]

Should I go with 2x400w SE or 2x250w DE? The DE will cost a lot more won't they?

[mbort]

Jeff,

The 14Ks on icecaps that Matt saw are on my tank. The Hamilton DE 250 bulbs right now (they are on sale) are less expensive than the 400 watt and mogul 250 watt bulbs. What expensive about DE bulbs is that you generally want to buy a pendant for proper light distribution, which is expensive, and with a mogul you can buy just the socket and reflector (and mount it to a DIY fixture assembly).

[mbort]

Oh yeah, and Matt saw it both with and without actinics. IMO, as far as overall aesthetics, I think the Hamilton bulbs can be used with or without actinics, either way.

[mbort]

And, 400 watt SE bulbs are generally much more expensive than most any 250 watt bulbs

[bigzman]

Go with the 14K DE. I have two 250 DE on my 90 and it looks great. I used the Maristar unit.

[jfloydr]

http://diyreef.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=39&products_id=116
Here is the 400w with Coralvue eballast and 14k hamilton. I can get this to my door for $467
mbort- if I got 2 of your 250 icecaps could I get the rest of the stuff for around this price? I can get 2 of the DE bulbs for $138 shipped from the same company. Are they cheaper anywhere else?
Thanks,
Jeff

[jfloydr]

I got your PM mbort. Thanks for the reply. I'll probably go with the 250 SE and switch to DE later when I have more money.

[manderx]

if you get the 250 SEs, i'd love to bring one of my 250 DEs over to run side-by-side to compare. i think that would be a great club activity for a meeting.

[jfloydr]

Sounds cool!

[jfloydr]

OK heres what I'm looking at:
2-250w Icecap ballast $180
2-250w Hamilton 14k $117 shipped
What kind of reflectors should I get? Spider? Parallel?
Where are the best prices for these?
Heres where I was looking http://www.customaquatic.com/customaquatic/subsubcategorypage.asp?subcatindexid=lt-mh-rf
Thanks,
Jeff

[jfloydr]

Also, I bought one of these the other night. Anybody have any experience with this model. A lot of people on RC use these but I was looking for some local info- http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=46310&item=4322532265&tc=photo
Thanks,
Jeff

[manderx]

i personally think the spiders are the best, in that they fill in shadows more than others. and they are cheap, you can get each one with socket and wire for 30 bucks (parallels come bare). though one of the guys here in bburg has the parallel over a 75 and it seems really nice. i would give the parallel more consideration if you were planning on running them with actinics since they are designed to handle them. with spiders, you have to raise them up a bit and just run the actinics below them (depending on how wide your tank is).



on the RO- i don't like horizontal DI chambers. also, i'd look for a 70 over a 100gpd. it makes less, but has a higher rejection rate so it makes your DI last a bit longer (in theory, don't know if you'd really notice it). also, this one uses jaco fittings, which really suck. seems like once you disconnect the tubing that first time, it never goes back together quite right and leaks.

but for 86, you can't go too wrong. you can replace any of the jacos with speedfits for only ~2 bucks each at home depot.

i have a dual input in-line tds meter left over from a bulk purchase we did a few months ago. $30 if you want it.

[mbort]

Jeff,

Those spiders at custom aquatic look like a good deal, especially if they come with a mogul socket. All you would need is wire between the ballast and bulb, which is easy to find and pretty cheap. I have used the PFO spiders (and still use one over my frag tank), and I am very happy with them. I also agree with Matt, that the spiders fill in the shadows a bit better.

As far as RO/DI, Matt is right again .. $86 is hard to beat. I have always dealt with Walter at airwaterice.com, and I have been very happy with him in general. Competetive prices and good, fast service.

I forgot that customaquatic also has the Hamilton mogul bulbs on sale, and for a really good price!

[jfloydr]

I'll take the TDS meter.
Do you have to mount spider reflectors parallel to the tank?
Does this one look like a good deal
http://diyreef.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=40&products_id=75
Thanks for all you guys help. I'm stupid when it comes to lighting.
Jeff

[mbort]

Jeff,

Like I said, the one at customaquatics looks like the best deal. Wire is certainly not 8 or 10 dollars for an 8' chunk. As long as the one from customaquatic has the socket included, it is the better deal.

Spider reflectors are generally designed to be mounted perpendicular to the front of the tank

[jfloydr]

I dont think the ones at customaquatics come with a plug. But could I do it for less than $20 bucks for cords. That is the price difference between the last link I posted. If I get them from customaquatics should I get the 15" or 12" version?
Thanks,
Jeff

[mbort]

Also Jeff, the dual inline TDS meter is really nice with an RO unit, you will not be disappointed.

[mbort]

For a 90 I'd get the 12", just to make sure you have plenty of room for actinics. I am using 12" even on a 180

[mbort]

That is, if you decide to get actinics in the future

[jfloydr]

Sorry was typing when you posted. Thanks for the answer.

[jfloydr]

Thanks for the ballasts mike.

[mbort]

No problem .. let me know if you have any questions.

[mbort]

Oh yeah .. did you order the rest of the stuff yet? Fire up the ballasts yet?