Opinions on lighting

[biomekanic]

Currently I'm running my 75g tank with 440w of VHO - 2x URI 03s & 2x URI Actinic White (20,000K). I'd like to pump up the lighting on tank.
I've found a refit I like - http://www.aquariumlight.com/product_info.asp?dbid=324 dual 250w MH & quad 110w VHO's. I like the look of 20,000Ks, so I was thinking, 2x 250w Radium 20,000K, 2x 10,000K 110VHOs and 2x110 03's.

I'm planning on sticking with zoo's and LPS's, maybe adding a clam or three. I figured this would be enough lights for crocea's kept way up near the top of the tank.

Anyone have any thoughts on this?

[Illusion]

I think you would be just fine with that setup... However I would look on Ebay... The go by "CooltouchLighting" there and the prices are usually alot cheaper... I would sugges just getting the kit without the VHOs and using 2 of your existing VHOs... It will save a few hundred... Also since you are wanting to run the radiums make sure you ask them to upgrade to pulse Start ballasts.. Its like 15.00 more... But if I were you I would use the XM20k bulbs and get standard probe start ballasts as your options are going to be alot more open if the future as bulb wise... The radium bulb is pretty much the only bulb you want to run on the Pulse Start in the 250w version.. If your wanting the Reflector they can throw that in the package for like 30.00

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=2360247778
Or
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=4338140935

http://stores.ebay.com/Cool-Touch-Li...enameZl2QQtZkm

They are a great company BTW.. I know a few people that have purchased from them as well as Did I and have not regretted it for the past 1 1/2yrs

hth,
James

[SnowboardKid26]

why not just put 1 400w MH over the center of the tank, should be more than enought light.

[biomekanic]

Originally Posted by Illusion

I think you would be just fine with that setup... However I would look on Ebay... The go by "CooltouchLighting" there and the prices are usually alot cheaper... I would sugges just getting the kit without the VHOs and using 2 of your existing VHOs... It will save a few hundred... Also since you are wanting to run the radiums make sure you ask them to upgrade to pulse Start ballasts.. Its like 15.00 more... But if I were you I would use the XM20k bulbs and get standard probe start ballasts as your options are going to be alot more open if the future as bulb wise... The radium bulb is pretty much the only bulb you want to run on the Pulse Start in the 250w version.. If your wanting the Reflector they can throw that in the package for like 30.00hth,
James

They are cool touch lighting, if you check out the bottom of their webpage, that's who they list themselves as.
Hmmm... maybe just buy the ballast, sockets, and reflector and move the VHO's over. not a bad idea. I'll talk to them about it. Hopefully they do price matching, hellolights has the Radiums for $8 less, plus you get a freebie from them.
I was considering it also, because I'd then have the existing VHO system available for a grow out tank.

[Krux]

really if you want to save cash, you can just keep an eye out for either a used dual 250 watt ballast, or find a new ballast through marine depot. reflectors are cheap, sockets are cheap, you can do good on bulbs a variety of places, and wiring it all together is a 2 beer project.


a dual pfo 250 ballast will run you between 225 and 275 new, used you can probably get one for about 150. add in 125 for 2 bulbs, 100 bucks for 2 sockets and reflectors, and you are running around 300 bucks less than that place is selling them.

call r2, he has ballasts, he might be able to hook you up, or pm me and we can discuss further.

[biomekanic]

Okay, sounds good. I do like the reflectors they have though. I've also asked them about MH/T5 retrofits.