Linda
Guest
I am getting ready to install the new tank...or maybe I should say we...anyway, any recommendations on the ballast or bulbs? Does anyone know anything about coralvue? Thanks.
-
Welcome back Guest!MARSH is a private reefing group. Comments and suggestions are encouraged, but please keep them positive and constructive. Negative threads, posts, or attacks will be removed from view and reviewed by the staff. Continually disruptive, argumentative, or flagrant rule breakers may be suspended or banned.
your opinion please on mh (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Linda
- Start date
- Tagged users None
Users who are viewing this thread
bigbird123
Guest
lights
Linda,
You need to see the link at the end of my post. It has now changed my sight on lights. When I up-grade to my large tank (300g wide) later this year, I will only have T-5s. No more MH and HIGH electric bills. JMO. By far one of the prettiest tanks I've ever seen.
link: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-03/totm/index.htm
Steve
Linda,
You need to see the link at the end of my post. It has now changed my sight on lights. When I up-grade to my large tank (300g wide) later this year, I will only have T-5s. No more MH and HIGH electric bills. JMO. By far one of the prettiest tanks I've ever seen.
link: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-03/totm/index.htm
Steve
Niko5
Guest
Spend extra and go with icecap ballasts they are reliable, quiet and cool. and enegery effectent. I like Hamelton 14K bulbs... i had Coralvue and their par is way down plus alot of prople have problems... i had one just stop working one day way before the 1 year mark.
fishcraze
Lifetime Member
Linda, more details on your tank dimensions and what you want to keep.
I also like the Icecap ballasts, compact annd energy efficient. I like the Phoenix bulbs 14k i got from reefgeek.com - supposed to the same bulb like the expensive German bulb- Aquaconnect.
If you go the MH way, i'd recommend to go w/ the double end bulbs/ pendant - they are much less messy than the single end bulbs.
I also like the Icecap ballasts, compact annd energy efficient. I like the Phoenix bulbs 14k i got from reefgeek.com - supposed to the same bulb like the expensive German bulb- Aquaconnect.
If you go the MH way, i'd recommend to go w/ the double end bulbs/ pendant - they are much less messy than the single end bulbs.
Niko5
Guest
Oh yea what he said double end are way better than single end now and on the plus side if you need a quick tan remove the UV Glass and tan away quickly
G
Guest
My vote is for the DE bulb also, much neater setup. 
I kinda favor the XM's at the moment, but the German bulbs are better IMO.
I kinda favor the XM's at the moment, but the German bulbs are better IMO.Linda
Guest
Thanks everyone...Quoc, I am putting in a 140 gallon 48" x 24" x 29"....It's going in the wall...sound familiar?? I love softies but I am sure I will move into sps at some point...would like a clam or two...
fishcraze
Lifetime Member
w/ a 48" long tank, i'd put either two 14k 250w Phoenix bulbs (good intensity/ color) and no VHO supplement - or - two 10k 250w bulbs (my favorites are Ushio or AB bulbs) WITH two 4ft VHO super actinic. I think either set-up would give you a good mix of intensity and color - jmo. i'm sure your softies/lps would love these lightings
Linda
Guest
Thanks Quoc.....Has anyone ever heard of coralvue. I found what seems to be a good price on a retro kit but don't know anything about coralvue.
G
Guest
i like the 10k XM(MX what ever) they have the 2nd best PAR rating.
G
Guest
I'm also using XM 10k's on magnetic ballasts. They are very bright, and the color is pretty nice with supplementation. I went with the XM's because of the insane amount of PAR, since I knew I would be starting this tank with mostly frags and I want good growth. After the tank grows out and I'm not as concerned with the growth, I will probably switch to a 14k or 20k bulb for the nicer color, and maybe an HQI ballast so the PAR doesn't drop off too drastically.
I agree that it would be best to get a DE setup if you are buying new, but don't overlook SE because you can usually find some good deals on used systems. If you do go with DE, be sure to buy HQI ballasts - electronic ballasts don't drive DE bulbs to their full potential, so you lose the benefit of going DE in the first place.
I agree that it would be best to get a DE setup if you are buying new, but don't overlook SE because you can usually find some good deals on used systems. If you do go with DE, be sure to buy HQI ballasts - electronic ballasts don't drive DE bulbs to their full potential, so you lose the benefit of going DE in the first place.
G
Guest
Well our Icecap e-ballast is pretty darn bight, and bleach out our LPS.
Linda what are you going to be raising in that tank? Just sps or some LPS also, LPS does good, but can get a little bleached under HQI MHs.
We have been running a 150W DE MH. We are going to try the 150W DEs on our new tank.
Linda what are you going to be raising in that tank? Just sps or some LPS also, LPS does good, but can get a little bleached under HQI MHs.
We have been running a 150W DE MH. We are going to try the 150W DEs on our new tank.
G
Guest
How much PAR does "pretty darn bright" equate to?
G
Guest
i posted a link somewhere on this site that lets you compare the pars and actuall pics of each bulb.
oceanencounters.com has great prices for their electronic ballast setups.
here is that site.
http://metricksystem.com/chris/250wcolour/
oceanencounters.com has great prices for their electronic ballast setups.
here is that site.
http://metricksystem.com/chris/250wcolour/
G
Guest
Mike, the par for the LPS and softies? To much.
The SPS seem to be fine with it.
When I compared the BLV 10K 150W DE par to the standard SE 250s using Sanjays page, well it measured more.
20Ks drop down a good bit.
So that is the reason I asked about what she wanted to keep.
Water quality is going to be more imporant, imo.
The SPS seem to be fine with it.
When I compared the BLV 10K 150W DE par to the standard SE 250s using Sanjays page, well it measured more.
20Ks drop down a good bit.
So that is the reason I asked about what she wanted to keep.
Water quality is going to be more imporant, imo.
G
Guest
i personally do not like the XM 10k's. A little too much of the red wavelength for me.
