Light help

suppressivefire · #1 12/26/2007, 04:53 PM

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...readid=1279404
:Posted in SPS forum:
Would like to here everyone's suggestions from Upstate.

suppressivefire · #2 12/26/2007, 05:53 PM

guess the link was bad but fixed now.

Gary Majchrzak · #3 12/26/2007, 08:38 PM

electronic ballasts will allow you to experiment with different MH bulbs. Bulbs don't last forever. You'll eventually figure out what you like

jjjo · #4 12/26/2007, 09:24 PM

what he said ^^

Ok i have a couple questions,

Icecap ballast?

i'd go with hamilton 14000ks. they have a bit of a blue tint, and are blue enough without actinics, but are not as blue as 20ks. Ive seen the 14ks running at CF and they look nice

Perhaps PFO magnetic ballast may be nice too?

suppressivefire · #5 12/26/2007, 10:02 PM

"the only thing is don't magnetic ballast run hot and not energy efficient and overdrive the bulbs?
any pics of your tank?
Fyi this is going over a 40 breeder which is 16-17 high and using 2 250 mh."

Gary Majchrzak · #6 12/26/2007, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by suppressivefire
Fyi this is going over a 40 breeder which is 16-17 high and using 2 250 mh."

wow.
I'd go with two 175watt halides.

suppressivefire · #7 12/27/2007, 12:26 AM

I was really planning to do the 250's they will have cheaper clam shell reflectors, its going to be a mainly sps tank.
You guy's really think I need to down-grade the lights?
whats the main concern with 250's.

jjjo · #8 12/27/2007, 11:07 AM

they run HOT! and with no chiller on a tank that small... you'll cook, not grow corals.

suppressivefire · #9 12/27/2007, 01:10 PM

The only thing is that I have heard that the 175 watts don't put out alot and don't a great bulb selection.

suppressivefire · #10 12/27/2007, 06:36 PM

well now looking into 175's
i was thinking the iwasaki 15k it's mostly very crisp white with just a hint of blue from what ive heard and i will use actinic's

jjjo · #11 12/27/2007, 06:40 PM

if u use actinics, i would go AB 10k(+) or something then

suppressivefire · #12 12/27/2007, 07:02 PM

you mean t5 actinic?

jjjo · #13 12/27/2007, 07:57 PM

i personally would use VHO actinic. they pack a good punch, and make colors pop.

run URI super actinic r, with an icecap ballast. i would use 2 actinic bulbs per 2 halides.

oh and i meant 10000k halides

Gary Majchrzak · #14 12/27/2007, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by suppressivefire
well now looking into 175's
i was thinking the iwasaki 15k it's mostly very crisp white with just a hint of blue from what ive heard and i will use actinic's

JMO- this is what I'd do.

suppressivefire · #15 12/28/2007, 12:59 AM

Yea and comming from a Reef Vet lol it seems like a good idea plus there supposed to be up there if not higher par than 250 se.
im thinking ice cap ballast for both MH and Actinic?

johno4 · #16 12/28/2007, 03:56 PM

Just to give you and idea. On my 40 breeder I have 1x 175w hamilton 14k and 2x t5. There is plenty of light and I have been successful with everything I've had under these lights. I also ran this tank with only the mh for months and not only did everything survive I had some decent growth.

I guess what Im saying is, you will have plenty of light with the 175's.

suppressivefire · #17 12/28/2007, 04:43 PM

any pics of you tanks with that bulb
actinics on / and off
thanks

jjjo · #18 12/28/2007, 04:48 PM

>>well now looking into 175's
i was thinking the iwasaki 15k it's mostly very crisp white with just a hint of blue from what ive heard and i will use actinic's

wont 15ks with actinic be too blue??

suppressivefire · #19 12/28/2007, 05:10 PM

its supposed to be more of a 10k from what people are telling me and that i have seen in pics.

suppressivefire · #20 12/28/2007, 05:13 PM

from some one who owns them and has been helping me decide on my lighting,

"175w iwasaki 15k destroys any other 175 watter and has the same par as a 250w bulb (if not more) - it's VERY bright and you will get great growth from it

personally I would use actinic supplementation with it because it's not like the 15k bulbs you are used to seeing, it's mostly very crisp white with just a hint of blue"

suppressivefire · #21 12/29/2007, 02:15 AM

if i used a 10 k will the vho be good enough to get the colors to pop?
any pics johno4

johno4 · #22 12/29/2007, 08:50 AM

I dont have a great camera but here are some pics. 14k mh, 1 actinic t5 and 1 10k t5.

These pics are from a month or so ago, I have had some nice growth since then. by the way my mh bulb is over 2years old so Im sure its not as blue as a newer bulb would be.

johno4 · #23 12/29/2007, 09:58 AM

By the way I dont know if color wise it matters or not but the t5's are high output not normal t5s.