What Lighting?

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by Myka

What I call "low light" corals are the ones I don't want to grow like mad!!! LOL! Like GSP, my Bubble, and all the Euphyllia's. I do have really nice coloration on my Monti caps which are about 8" from my two 39W T5s. I figured if I added more T5s that I might be able to get the same coloring with the Monti's 12-14" away from the bulbs...?

remember, more lights won't increase the intensity, only the spread so there still won't be anymore PAR at 12 to 14" than there is under the bulbs now, you wil just put a more even coverage of the same level by addinbg more bulbs.

ya, I had a 65X turnover with the 6" bedd, but when I upped it to 120X turn over it was insain on the sand bed so I had to keep it in the top 1/2 of the tank, when I got rid of the sand it let me even the flow out over the whole tank. and believe it or not high flow is one of the things that will prevent corals from bleaching from new lights, you just need tones of it.

Originally Posted by Myka

You still haven't said exactly what you would suggest I light my tank with...? I understand you're all for the MH, but considering I refuse to put more than one MH over my tank, what type of ballast/wattage setup do you suggest? Personally, I'd like to use the PFO mini pendant. I'm thinkin a 250w HQI would likely be enough light, especially considering there is dyck all for bulb choice if I go for 400w HQI. My understanding is you get the highest PAR if you use an HQI bulb with an HQI ballast in comparison to HQI w/ electronic ballast or a mogul bulb w/HQI overdriving the bulb...?

Thanks for all your input Steve.

Hmm, I have just been looking at lights myself so here is what I would do if you can only use 1. get a good mogal bulb enclosed reflector pendant. go with a giseman bulb say the 12.5K or "marine" I believe it is called (if AB's were easy to get I would go with there 10K but they are expensive and hard to get). and then run it with a newer style HQI electronic balllast or even better a digital ballast. (newer ones don't under drive the bulbs like the first ones 5 or so years ago did. A mogal based bulb will give you more coverage than a double ended will. actualy I believe there is some one on the board selling electronic ballast and mogal pendant for 75 bucks each but I am not sure what kind of ballasts they are. If you are using a hood you could use a retrofit reflector, but I mentioned the pendant style as it will be a little less heat.

Steve

[Myka]

Originally Posted by StirCrazy

ya, I had a 65X turnover with the 6" bedd, but when I upped it to 120X turn over it was insain on the sand bed so I had to keep it in the top 1/2 of the tank, when I got rid of the sand it let me even the flow out over the whole tank. and believe it or not high flow is one of the things that will prevent corals from bleaching from new lights, you just need tones of it.

Holy jebus!

Hmm, I have just been looking at lights myself so here is what I would do if you can only use 1. get a good mogal bulb enclosed reflector pendant. go with a giseman bulb say the 12.5K or "marine" I believe it is called (if AB's were easy to get I would go with there 10K but they are expensive and hard to get). and then run it with a newer style HQI electronic balllast or even better a digital ballast. (newer ones don't under drive the bulbs like the first ones 5 or so years ago did. A mogal based bulb will give you more coverage than a double ended will. actualy I believe there is some one on the board selling electronic ballast and mogal pendant for 75 bucks each but I am not sure what kind of ballasts they are. If you are using a hood you could use a retrofit reflector, but I mentioned the pendant style as it will be a little less heat.

Steve

I thought the PAR of an HQI bulb was considerably higher than a mogul?? Ya, I really like the look of the Giesemann Marine (13K actually :P ). I have never heard of an electronic HQI ballast...? I was going to go with this one:

http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/s..._ID=pfo-bh401q

What about this pendant?

http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/s...ct_ID=pfo-hp8m

Here's J&L Aquatics' 400w mogul based bulb selection (they only have one 400w HQI):

http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/s...ategory_ID=197

[StirCrazy]

Ok, here is my recomendation along the lines you are thinking.

from J&L
this ballast
http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/s..._ID=pfo-be250e 177ish

the pendant you picked is fine, I personaly don't like the PFO stuff as it is bulky and there is way better out there for only a little more.

and 250W Megachrome Marine Mogul (13000K) Metal Halide Bulb - Mogul Base 93.ish (buy it from where ever.)
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personaly this would be my pick from sunlight supply
Galaxy™ 250 WattElectronic Ballast 120/240 Volt 902490Metallic Green Anodized Aluminum8.5lbs.$157.95Each

reflector pendant
http://www.sunlightsupply.com/produc...s%3D%26pgi%3D1

and the same bulb as above.

Steve

[Myka]

I have to get to bed, so I'll reply in the morning, but why are you suggesting I go with a 250w instead of a 400w?

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by Myka

I have to get to bed, so I'll reply in the morning, but why are you suggesting I go with a 250w instead of a 400w?

400 is a waist of power, 250 mogals on HQI ballasts and good reflectors, put out more light than 400's, longer bulb life,

Steve