sknoch78 Posted February 26, 2007 Share Posted February 26, 2007 I am curious what everyone is using and how happy they are with it. My setup is currently 3 250w DE PFO mini pendants with Phoenix 14k bulbs being fired by Ice Cap ballasts. I also have two 6' actinics running. I have this over my 72x30x26 tank. Initially I was happy with it, but I have for a while felt it was a little dim. I am seriously thinking of scrapping the whole setup and going with 400w radiums fired by PFO HQI ballasts. I am just curious what others are using. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reefgeek84 Posted February 26, 2007 Share Posted February 26, 2007 I am running dual 400w non-hqi SE XM's on PFO ballast. I am very happy with this set up. I came to this set up, by talking about with Travis at Upscales. He suggested the set up and well, we all have seen his cube. He told me not to go with HQI since my tank is not more then 30", he says there is no need and hates replacing bulbs every 5-6 months with HQI. As people know I had an 8 lamp tek fixture over my tank. The halides give much more pop to the corals and they all seem to be doing better. I am considering adding some retro t-5's for running longer photo periods with less halide running time. Plus, rumor is tanks look really good with halide t-5 combos. I would recommend these bulbs and set up to anyone...I am not saying t-5's can grow coral, they can and they do very well. It just comes down to preference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sknoch78 Posted February 26, 2007 Author Share Posted February 26, 2007 What reflector are you using? I am thinking of using the Luminarcs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reefgeek84 Posted February 26, 2007 Share Posted February 26, 2007 What reflector are you using? I am thinking of using the Luminarcs. Lumenarcs, are great reflectors and the best chioce...I am just using an off the shelf parabolic reflector, since my tank is only 20"tall... Eventually I will get lumenarc mini's...but the ones I have work great for right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H20cooled Posted February 26, 2007 Share Posted February 26, 2007 I'm using 8 54w T5's overdriven with Icecap 660 ballasts (82w each), with Icecap SLR reflectors, the whole canopy is cooled with 3 120mm fans. Works great so far but I'm now considering going with 2 400w PFO setup (similar to reefgeeks) with the lumerarcs and T5 actinics. Not sure why exactly for the change, I miss the shimmer from the MH. The only thing I'm not sure about it I've got some of the best color I have ever had now under T5's, so its kind of a hard choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nu2reef-n Posted February 26, 2007 Share Posted February 26, 2007 I'm running a dual 400 watt PFO ballast with 15K SE bulbs, with four VHO super actinics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted February 26, 2007 Share Posted February 26, 2007 I'm running 2x175W 10k MH, using Hamilton ballasts (one is magnetic, the other electronic) supplemented with a 110W VHO actinic. One of these days I'm going to swap out the magnetic ballast for another Hamilton electronic. I'm thinking about adding a second VHO actinic, but haven't made up my mind yet -- space is tight in my canopy as it is and I'm not sure I really need it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldbrownies Posted February 26, 2007 Share Posted February 26, 2007 65 gallon with the 2 400watt MH ballasts I got from you Sknoch, running 10k XMs, and 2 110 vho actinics I LOVE the growth I get off this set up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted February 26, 2007 Share Posted February 26, 2007 Two 400W MH on a 65gal? Wow, that's a lot... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted February 26, 2007 Share Posted February 26, 2007 I have a 6-54w TEK T5 fixture on my 75gal. I love the flexibility it give me for colors, the reduced power bill, reduced heat, and longer life of these T5s. Plus they are freaking bright!!! I'm getting some really good growth on my SPS, comparable to the 250w MH i previously used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mbeef61 Posted February 26, 2007 Share Posted February 26, 2007 on my 5 foot 100 gallon im using...2x250 halide with hamilton 14k bulbs and a 175 halide over centerbrace with hamilton 14k also...along with 3x110 watt uri vho ran off a icecap430. one bulb is day light other 2 are super actinic.. i really like the look of my tank. it has a nice super white look....and the actinic vhos make everything pop. i really like it but always want more...its just so expensive to run Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael7979 Posted February 27, 2007 Share Posted February 27, 2007 I'm running a dual 400w HQI system with 20k helios bulbs. Supplemented by 4 110w vho bulbs, 3 actinic and 1 50/50. this is sitting over a 5foot 100 gallon tank. I ran radiums before the helios and i'm thinking of going back to radiums. The Helios are very similar to the radiums but have read that they are unpredictable, (same bulbs being different looking), and are hard to come by, (with them being back-ordered alot). Overall I'll will eventually go back to radiums on this system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sknoch78 Posted February 27, 2007 Author Share Posted February 27, 2007 What are you using for a reflector? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy-S Posted February 27, 2007 Share Posted February 27, 2007 This may help you out tank size 72"x26"x30" Light 3x400 watt hqi radiums 2x72" VHO super atinics. reflectors lumax? I forget what there called from sunlight supply here is a pic of the reflector http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v349/ranran/New%20Tank%20Build/NewTankBuild009.jpg here are all three installed in the canopy i put them on sliders to ajust were i want them and to get them out of my way for maintenance. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v349/ranran/New%20Tank%20Build/NewTankBuild030.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v349/ranran/New%20Tank%20Build/NewTankBuild032.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sknoch78 Posted February 27, 2007 Author Share Posted February 27, 2007 Randy, do you havve a tank shot? Are you glad you went with the 400's or do you think it is overkill? I am almost positive this is the route I want to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powdertang05 Posted February 27, 2007 Share Posted February 27, 2007 i use 2 icecap 250w se 10k xm on my 40 breeder. same on 1 of my frag tanks 48x24x10 then 2 150W phoenix on other frag tank thats 2 20L's dont ask. and have 8 54w t-5s for another frag tank that just havent had time to setup which is also a 48x24x10, and 2 t-5's over my broodstock tanks and another 150w hqi phoenix over my growouts dont ask on that either. reflectors are spiders on the icecaps and pci on the phoenixs and nothing on my t-5's. im thinking of going to 250w de phoenix's on all tanks with the icecap pendents. just havent got the money yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CCR Posted February 27, 2007 Share Posted February 27, 2007 both tanks have 400w 15k, all mh are going to 20k XM bulbs both have 2 VHO atinic PFO reflectors Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldbrownies Posted February 27, 2007 Share Posted February 27, 2007 Two 400W MH on a 65gal? Wow' date=' that's a lot...[/quote'] It's not too much, the corals love it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly guy Posted February 27, 2007 Share Posted February 27, 2007 3- 250w Icecap elec. and 15k xms on my 225 2- 250 w Icecap elec and 15k xms with 2 110 vho actinics on the 90 Ive been using these bulbs for a long time and love the color.....I know the par sucks but i get good growth out of them..........ive been shopping recently for a bulb change though......think next bulbs will be Hamilton 14k's. No intention or need to go to different wattage IMO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sknoch78 Posted February 27, 2007 Author Share Posted February 27, 2007 Yeah I have tried several different bulbs over time. I am just not getting the light I like. Whenever I see a tank with radiums, I love it. I think it is time to start the change. Anyone interested in a 250w setup? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael7979 Posted February 27, 2007 Share Posted February 27, 2007 What are you using for a reflector? Just your normal spider reflectors.............would like to upgrade to different style in the future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldbrownies Posted February 27, 2007 Share Posted February 27, 2007 one thing about the 400 watt 10k.. I think I am going to add a 175 watt 20K to the hood as well, so I can get a bluer color, with out cutting the par by 70% Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powdertang05 Posted February 27, 2007 Share Posted February 27, 2007 how much do you want them for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy-S Posted February 27, 2007 Share Posted February 27, 2007 Randy, do you havve a tank shot? Are you glad you went with the 400's or do you think it is overkill? I am almost positive this is the route I want to go. With my tank being 30" deep 400 watt was my only thought for lamps. If I had unlimeted buget/power and a 1 hp chiller i would of put 6-400 watt on my tank. I am happy with my over all lighting plan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sknoch78 Posted February 27, 2007 Author Share Posted February 27, 2007 I would like to get $200 per set. This includes IceCap ballast, PFO mini pendant and 14k Phoenix bulb. The bulbs still have a good six months of life in them. I have 3 sets. 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.