Trying to decide on new MH lighting

[reeferaddict]

I voted for Mexico... need someone to babysit all those frags while you're gone?

If ya want to try, I have a spare 250W PFO that will run whatever you want to try ... you just need to find a bulb...

[muck]

Originally Posted by ProPs

full radiums for my vote =o)

Im thinking of going radium on my new tank as well. After seeing some of the colors Jonathan (Canadian_man) had in his 230G tank (now no more) Im seriously thinking about it.

Ive also heard good things about the Hamilton 14K bulbs.
From what I hear most people who try them are very happy with them.

Christy are you running VHO actinics as well? or will it just be MH..??

[muck]

Also upgrade to a couple HQI Ballasts..

[christyf5]

I don't really know what I'm doing. I was sort of planning on just going with VHO and stick with the iwasakis. Then the Ice Cap ballast I bought crapped out. I've sent it in to Ice Cap and maybe they can magically repair it for cheap and I'll just do that. I have a feeling the ballast really is toast though or they'll charge me an arm and a leg. If that happens I'll probly just do MH for now. I've hooked up the old NO ballast I had running previously but it doesn't seem to be working properly either. Anyhoo, I was thinking if I got a decent kelvin bulb I wouldn't have to worry about it. I'll probly go with the 10000K XM bulb. I was checking them out at J&L and it was the one I liked best. I'll definitely be going with the HQI ballasts

[crusty1]

There is nowhere on the poll to select new bulbs. Personally I don't like the look of 6500K bulbs. I would try finding the bluest set of 14000k bulbs you can find. It will save you a ton of money, and the tank will look crisper, and the corals will light up with color.
I just bought a PFO with hamilton DE 250W 14k bulbs. It is a lot bluer, than my Arcadia 250W 14k with NO actininc lighting.
Talk to Hidden Reef, they are awesome!

[christyf5]

Oh I'm definitely going with new bulbs, it was just a matter of whether I should stick with 250W or upgrade to 400W. I'm not really one for the blue, I think I'll just stick to 10000k

[cprowler]

Since you put up a poll do you have to do what ever the outcome is?

400W isn't looking so good.

[christyf5]

Originally Posted by cprowler

Since you put up a poll do you have to do what ever the outcome is?

400W isn't looking so good.

Nah, I was bored and polls are fun I just thought I'd get some fellow reefers ideas on whether 400W was overkill. I think Props was the only one that was pro-400. I have a chiller so 400W wouldn't be a problem except for the electric bill. I think a couple of 250w HQI ballasts and XM 10K bulbs will be the way to go Now I just have to save my pennies

[cprowler]

Originally Posted by christyf5

Nah, I was bored and polls are fun I just thought I'd get some fellow reefers ideas on whether 400W was overkill. I think Props was the only one that was pro-400. I have a chiller so 400W wouldn't be a problem except for the electric bill. I think a couple of 250w HQI ballasts and XM 10K bulbs will be the way to go Now I just have to save my pennies

Are you sure it's not because "Stay with 250s but get new ballasts" is winning.

I agree with what you are saying, I like your thinking.

[EmilyB]

Yup those HQI ballasts open up a whole new world.