pantherguy30 Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 I'm interested in getting into the hobby but It seems there are tons of metal halide bulbs to choose from. What are the pro's and cons to the different styles of bulbs? I am starting a cube tank that is 2x2x2 and plan on having hard corals,clams, along with many other items. (scratch) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael7979 Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 In general and just for starters there are 4 main groups of in the kelvin range. 1- 6.5k very very yellow and most use it to grow macroalgeas in refugiums 2- 10k a yellow bulb that gives good growth but alot don't like the color and use actinic 03 supplementation with them 3- 12-15k not as yellow and some say somewhat blue, a middle of the road bulb for color, many love some of them 4- 20k bulbs a blue bulb some say to blue and use white actinic bulbs to balance them out, brings out good coral colors Alot will depend on what you like visually. There are as many selections as there are reefers it seems. SE bulbs = a bulb with a single socket just like a typical light bulb. DE bulbs = a bulb that snaps into a 'cradle' kinda like the newer bulbs used in cars turnsignals and such. These bulbs must have a glass cover as they send out UV rays. (a bad thing for corals and others) Now that is very basic. MHs come in 150w, 175w, 250w and 400w bulbs. Along with smaller sizes for nano tanks. I would say you need to look into buying 250w or 400w bulbs/ballasts for your two foot deep tank. That is since you are wanting to do sps' and clams. What else can you tell us about your tank. Anything might help us turn you down the 'right' road. HTH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nyles Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 Most cubes in the range your looking (2' sq) for hard corals are running 250 watt MH bulbs, and those with the cash would run supplemental Actinic light (t-5) with it for corals health, this would be best done with a pendant that contains both lights. Just a thought. If your going to run 400w be prepaired to have to purchase a chiller or get very creative with your cooling techniques. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arsonmfg Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 Totally off subject but where did you get your cube from? I've been in the market for a 60 gallon cube. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pantherguy30 Posted January 25, 2008 Author Share Posted January 25, 2008 Thanks for the reply's. I would also like to know what manf you could recomend? As for your question Clownfish. James & Holly @ Envision Acrylics. The tank is still being made so as soon as I get it. I'm sure I will have a ton more questions! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael7979 Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 What wattage? If 400watts I love radiums Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pantherguy30 Posted January 25, 2008 Author Share Posted January 25, 2008 I'm pretty sure I'm gonna go with a 250 watt setup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mister crabs Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 for a 60 cube i really like a pendant like this one: http://www.lumenarclighting.com/proddetail.asp?prod=LA3-Stealth-SE-mini with a 400 w bulb in it or something like this http://www.pfolighting.com/AquariumPgFolder/AqJepgFiles90402/HFP8SIL.jpg the first is a great pendant from what i have seen or if you are going open to the second will look good and also allow for actinic supplementation. I have just purchased the second option used to put over my 29g biocube. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pantherguy30 Posted January 25, 2008 Author Share Posted January 25, 2008 Did you buy this locally or online? The second option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arsonmfg Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 Was this the tank that was for a previous customer that couldn't take that James has almost finished or was this one that you ordered? I talked to him about a specific cube today, but it sounded like it was pretty much spoken for. I'm just curious cause if his friend didn't want it I wanted to take it home. If that's now your tank it's siiick! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pantherguy30 Posted January 25, 2008 Author Share Posted January 25, 2008 Small world! Yeah that's the tank and its actually 2x2x18" so more like 45 gallons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arsonmfg Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 Eh... I have to say I'm quite depressed, I was really hoping you weren't going to buy it! Guess I'll have to give James a call tomorrow and figure out exactly what its going to cost to build another one cause I need a tank like yesterday! Congrats, that's and absolutely beautiful tank. James is an awesome guy and his work is second to none! Make sure you you post some pics of the build! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mister crabs Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 I bought the second option used from a member here. just waiting to get it in the mail! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pantherguy30 Posted January 25, 2008 Author Share Posted January 25, 2008 Sorry to depress you Arsonmfg. I will make sure to get some pics up for everyone as soon as I can piece it all together. Thanks again for all the help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pantherguy30 Posted January 25, 2008 Author Share Posted January 25, 2008 Since I'm new here what's with the fish names under our usernames? Do they change with reputaion points? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arsonmfg Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 No worries, I just sold my tank and I'm trying to avoid having to buy a nano to house my livestock. I ultimately want a cube and fell in love with yours when I saw it in person. I should of called James on Monday like I had planned... lol As far as the names, its like your rank that comes from how many posts etc... I look forward to seeing that tank stocked up and running! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael7979 Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 Since I'm new here what's with the fish names under our usernames? Do they change with reputaion points? Post count goes up.......... and the name changes with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted January 26, 2008 Share Posted January 26, 2008 Awesome, we are getting quit the cube club going here. Siskiou and I both have 60gal cubes. Mine is not setup yet, but she started a thread for hers already! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mister crabs Posted January 26, 2008 Share Posted January 26, 2008 yep. cant wait to get back to oregon and get a big tank setup. im looking at a brand new 135 with matching stand for $400 from the local club here. will just have to put it in a U-haul i guess! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pantherguy30 Posted January 27, 2008 Author Share Posted January 27, 2008 Do they make a 2' maristar combo light anymore? I saw a guy on the classified thread selling one. I need a 2' light set up and this one looked good. I just couldnt find any info on that size hood. Can you guys recomend something for me to go with? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spectra Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 Do they make a 2' maristar combo light anymore? I saw a guy on the classified thread selling one. I need a 2' light set up and this one looked good. I just couldnt find any info on that size hood. Can you guys recomend something for me to go with? That set up you are talking about is nice. I looked at it today but is big for what I am setting up. Also nice avatar is it a male or a female? I have one to but he is real leg happyDOH! Ask Arson about that one. Here is a pic of him. Kind of like Christmas Vacation has a little bit of leg hound in him(laugh) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mister crabs Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 the odyssea fixture from www.aquatraders.com looks promising. the 24" w/ a 250w HQI and 2 actinic PC's is like 178 shipped. I have heard they fixed thier issues with hot ballasts but now the ballasts are under powered and only give out like 180w. Lots of people have bought this and replacedthe ballast with a nice brand of ballast such as an icecap or the like and had a great fixture for under $300 bucks. plus it comes with the bulbs. I would have gone this route but got a great deal on a pendant (thanks again spectra) and i needed something to hang over the tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThePremiumAquarium Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 I actually had the older style of this in the 175w version running over one of my tanks for a while and it worked pretty well. I will say that it was kinda noisy and the actinics that it came with seems to be just a blueish bulb and not so much that actinic look. never had any problems with heat from the ballast on this version. My roommate actually still uses it over his nano cube and it works excellent for him. It has gotten noisier as time has gone on and I think the fans might need to be replaced. Garrett Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAVES Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 Do they make a 2' maristar combo light anymore? I saw a guy on the classified thread selling one. I need a 2' light set up and this one looked good. I just couldnt find any info on that size hood. Can you guys recomend something for me to go with? Pantherguy, they dont make the 2' maristar anymore, but I bought the last few that Sunlight Supply had. I have 2 left. Im working on making some starfire 2' cubes in the near future, so Ill be keeping one of the maristars for that tank. Ill have one other maristar for sale. Im selling them for $200 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cobalt Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 I have no personal experience with the Odyssea fixtures but google "odyssea fire" and you'll find tons of threads how they catch fire. Some say they have fixed it now but do you want to risk it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.