Upgrading lights...need advice

Flipturn88 · 07-12-2004, 04:30 PM

This is for a 46 gallon bowfront tank (36" long). I currently have 2 96 watt 10,000k bulbs (one regular, one actinic blue). Although I want to add a good metal halide fixture, I'm short on money and I want one with enough wattage to support clams and most SPS. I also want an attractive color light (either crisp blue or purple), and I was told that could be accomplished with a higher kelvin--such as 14 or 20k. So, with all that said, I have been looking at two options for lighting, and I need your opinion/experience...thanks.

Option 1 - would I need actinic lighting to produce an attractive color, or would this suffice?

Option 2 - Offers a 20,000K bulb which means actinic lighting "is not needed," however it is only 150 watts...

I'd love to hear any imput on these fixtures or other's that may be a better option.

Thanks again,
Kayla

Flipturn88 · 07-12-2004, 04:45 PM

Here are two more options:

Option 3 -.PFO 250W 20K HQI Pendant - $315

Option 4 - Hamilton ReefSun Metal Halide Pendant (Single), plus 20,000K bulb upgrade = $320.

Which one is better? Thanks.

Mafiaman · 07-12-2004, 04:48 PM

Because the bouble ended lamps (option 2) require a glass shield for UV protection I personaly would go with option one. The glass shield needs to be kept clean or you will lose Par.

Vromb · 07-12-2004, 06:37 PM

I have a Reefstar 400wt, 20000K pendant over my corner tank, and it turns my whole apartment light blue (borderline "too" blue but I love it). Including taxes, free shipping, and ARC discount the whole unit cost me $263 from www.reeftanklighting.com. Well worth the money + great customer service. HTH
Michelle

Flipturn88 · 07-12-2004, 10:50 PM

Thanks! I actually have been looking into a DIY setup from reeftanklighting, since so many people reccomend Doug and his products. I am working on compiling a list of supplies I need to order, and when I'm finished I'll leave it open for comments/suggestions.

What size tank do you have Michelle? I need two MH bulbs on either side because I have a center brace in my bowfront that creates a huge shadow if the bulb is directly over it...

Heath Man · 07-13-2004, 09:51 AM

If you're ok with DIY, you could DIY two home depot ballasts for $60 and 2 14K hamilton's from Marine Depot for $175 and have 500W dual MH for around $250-275 by the time you figure in cords, etc.

bgi · 07-13-2004, 10:27 AM

I'd put two MH bulbs on a 36"-48" tank with a center brace. I installed a single Sunlight Supply Reef Optics III on my 54 bow corner a few days ago. The light has a fairly narrow illumination zone - not enough for a 36" wide tank. I'm considering additional CF lights to balance out the blue from the 20K DE bulb as well as help light up the corners and soften up some harsh shadows. The Home Depot deal sounds good. Are those HD ballasts magnetic MH ballasts?

goodfortune · 07-13-2004, 10:32 AM

I'm following along with this thread , as I am considering upgrading my lighting to MH as well, and I have a 36" tank.

Does anyone have an opinion about electronic vs. magnetic ballasts for MHs? Are electronic ballasts worth the extra cost?

Also, how about mogul-base (screw-in) vs. double-ended bulbs? DE bulbs deliver greater PAR, but tend to run hotter and do not come with UV shielding as mogul-base bulbs do. For the same wattage, will it be worth the extra $$$ to run DE bulbs instead of mogul-base ones?

Feel free to correct any assumptions I have made above. Thanks in advance.

P.S. - Flipturn88, I don't mean to take over the thread, and it seems that we are looking for the same thing

.

mojo · 07-13-2004, 10:42 AM

You guys may want to check out these articles:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issu...4/feature1.htm

and

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issu...03/feature.htm

I don't think that one type of light is "best" - it depends on what you're looking for. IE- wiping the glass is a small price to pay (to me) to have the most of the power of 400w MH with a 250W power bill.

bgi · 07-13-2004, 11:14 AM

Excellent suggestion. Reading those and seeing some other 54 bow corner setups helped me choose. Regardless, getting PAR from a 250W DE close to the output of a 400W SE was a no-brainer for me. My AC works hard enough already. I'm just not convinced that I like the 20K yet. I'll give it some time to settle down. Anyone running 20K's with supplemental PC's want to offer any advice? I may consider getting a 10K DE or some supplemental PC in a few weeks if this blue doesn't settle down a little bit.

Heath Man · 07-13-2004, 11:44 AM

Personally, I think the 20k's look too blue and unnatural. I prefer a 10k bulb, maybe supplemented with some actinic flourescents, or a 12 or 14k standalone. Even the Iwasaki 6500's with some actinics looks really nice and natural to me.

But opinions are like arm pits, everyone's got a couple, and some them stink!

bgi · 07-13-2004, 12:30 PM

So far, I would agree with "too blue and unnatural". It looked really nice when I put one of my 6700K planted tank 65W PC's next to it. So I'm considering that as an option. Overall, I think the 20K bulb was a mistake. I think a 10K MH with actinics would look nicer, though.

Who wants an AB 20K 250W DE with a few hours on it? ;-)

AquaticCo · 07-13-2004, 01:19 PM

If your going 10K go with the XM. Highest PAR

Flipturn88 · 07-13-2004, 03:56 PM

Wow, thanks for all of the replys!

Goodfortune--no prob. you've brought up some good points.

Heath Man--that's a really good idea. I could get the ballasts at HD and the lights @ MD, but where would I get the chords and everything else?

How could I make the purple/violet tint? I know it's not the most natural, but I really like the look. Thanks.

Flipturn88 · 07-13-2004, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AquaticCo

If your going 10K go with the XM. Highest PAR

I've been looking at your site for a DIY setup. Do you think 10k could look okay standalone? Also, do you know what lights produces the 'violet' tint?

Thanks!