USED or New?

[216@aqua]

Ok this is it!!

I have finally got to the point where I am going to upgrade my lights on my 55 gall.

I will be keeping SPS corals and clams.

My tank is 24" deep and am thinking of going with two 250 watt 20,000K radiums. Is this a good idea?

Also I am looking at the electronic ballasts from reef fanatic to power these lights. Do you think that I should buy these ballasts, or should I buy used? If I should buy used what are the best ballasts? Should I buy a dual 250?

Thanks

[kentrob11]

for a 55 I think you would do best with a pair of 250watt Ushios on HQI....Just my .02 tho....

[opihi]

you might want to go w/ the dual HQI ballast if you're going w/ radiums. at 400W, the HQI ballast overpowers the radium bulb giving it a whiter look. i would assume it works the same at 250W.

i've also read that some electronic ballasts don't put out as much wattage as regular tar ballasts. these 2 points are probably worth reading up on.

[216@aqua]

Where is the best place to buy HQI ballasts?

[electric130]

for SPS and clams, your best bet would be iwasaki 6500k's for growth, but i don't like the color. IMO, i'd go with ushio 10000K's the still have pretty high PAR, but look 100X's better than the saki's. if you run the ushio's off an HQI ballast, they'll do better too.