HQI lights ... which one should i buy?

[AashK]

I've been running 150 watt HQI's in my tank for a couple of yrs and now decided that it may be time to upgrade my lights. I'm having a tough time deciding wether to go with 250 Watt or 400Watt and what make/brand is good? Can anyone help?

Thx

A:confused:

[Ti]

What K?

[AashK]

Currently i am running 10K ... and i am debating whether to go for 10k or 20k ... not sure yet ... would like to find out what models are good to buy first tho. :)

[Ti]

Well, 20K has lower growth, is that a concern?
What are you looking for?

[AashK]

I would like more growth ... 10K 's have worked well for me ... i'll most likely stick to that ... you can see the tank pic in my album.

[BeanAnimal]

Yes but you are going to be almost doubling the PAR just by going up in wattage. You may be able to go to 20K get better growth and more pleasing color rendition from the lamps.

What size tank?

[Ti]

xm 10K if you want growth.

[BeanAnimal]

Ti, he is moving from 150 to at least 250. Moving to 20K will certainly still provide AT LEAST the growth of the 150 10Ks and then some.

Honestly, without knowing what size tank....

[Ti]

good point.
He mentioned he'd like to stick to 10K, so i suggessted XM 10K.
with the bumped wattage he'll get even more par with the xm 10K since he said he wanted more growth.

[BeanAnimal]

Or bleach everything :D

150W to 400W is surely not a good idea... acclimation would be an understatement.

[Ti]

might be a 120

Hobby Experience: 4 yrs FW, 3yr Reef
Current Tanks: 120 Gallon Reef tank (48x24x24), LR, Fish, LPS & SPS, 150W HQI's

[BeanAnimal]

Ahh I have signatures turned off... they bug me and take up way too much space... and have maybe clicked on the "profile" button 3 times since I signed up here!

[AashK]

so you guys suggest 250s then? Any make of HQI unit manufacturer? PFO's or IceCaps or any other make?
Thx for your help guys!

[BeanAnimal]

What size tank? (120 we guess?) how many lights?

IceCap ballasts have decent reviews. I prefer Magnetic HQI ballasts myself. Look at Sanjays reef lighting website. You can plug the bulb and ballast type in that you have now, then compare it to prospective new setups. You are looking for the PPFD (PAR) number.

Just search google for "Sanjay reef lighting" and you will find the page.
Bean

[BeanAnimal]

here
http://www.reeflightinginfo.arvixe.com/

[Ti]

HQI usually drives in more power and puts out more par for growth.

[Rattleramm]

i just upgraded from 175 xms to hamiltons reef star 400 de 14k with pulse start ballasts, and i think i may be getting less parr than my 175'slooks like actinics on only. There isnt much selection yet for 400 de bulbs yet. Im going to try 10 k just not sure what brand yet.

[BeanAnimal]

Twidling with the select query for Sanjays site...

I tweaked the query to show just the 400 bulbs that were tested on pulse start. The second linke shows ALL of the tested 400W bulbs on ALL of the ballasts.

http://www.reeflightinginfo.arvixe.com/tabular-lamp-data.php?Watts=400&LampManuf=Select+Lamp+Manufacturer&Lamptype=Double+Ended&LampName=Select+Lamp+Name&BallastName=20&BallastNameText=Venture+400W+Pulse+Start+%28M135%29&Shielded=Y+&Submit=Search

As you can see the pulse start kinda sucks when compared with the other ballasts
http://www.reeflightinginfo.arvixe.com/tabular-lamp-data.php?Watts=400&LampManuf=Select+Lamp+Manufacturer&Lamptype=Double+Ended&LampName=Select+Lamp+Name&BallastName=20&BallastName=Select+Ballast+Name&Shielded=Y+&Submit=Search