Lighting suggestions?

[fkshiu]

Originally Posted by Myka

^ I see you have the XM 10K with the HQI ballast. Can you post a pic of your tank? I'd really like to see the color you're getting, and just how much blue pull the T5s are giving you.

I don't understand how a ballast that only pushes 250w could push 330w through a bulb....? Do you have any references on that information?

I apologize to the original poster for the hijacking, but:



And here's Sanjay's results for 250W bulbs on an HQI ballast:

http://www.reeflightinginfo.arvixe.c...&Submit=Submit

The column to look at is "watts". Note that the 250W SE XM 10K is a PAR monster, but uses 374 watts (!) with most others falling in around 330. The ballast is simply overdriving the bulbs the same way an Icecap 660 ballast overdrives, for example, 54W T5HO bulbs to around 80W giving you more PAR ooomph.

[michika]

I really like what I've gotten out of my 175w MH, and the luminarc reflectors are REALLY bright. I have one now on my nano, and its bright enough that it may be causing problems for my SPS.

I've seen a lot of nice tanks that are MH with T5 supplements, and they seem to have the best growth and nicest color that I have seen. If you have the time take a look through ReefKeeping Magazine's Tank of the Month's, and check out their lighting. It might help you decide on the look you want, and if you want to go with T5s or MH.

I also think Gold's in town runs a tank with just T5s, Elite does as well.

[Myka]

Originally Posted by fkshiu

The column to look at is "watts". Note that the 250W SE XM 10K is a PAR monster, but uses 374 watts (!) with most others falling in around 330. The ballast is simply overdriving the bulbs the same way an Icecap 660 ballast overdrives, for example, 54W T5HO bulbs to around 80W giving you more PAR ooomph.

Ohhhhhhhhh, I get it. I didn't realise that overdriving the bulb would actually draw more power. I thought a 250w ballast would draw 250w no matter what. I never really looked at that watts column before, but it seems like most bulb/ballast configurations are way over their "rated" wattage anyway, so really it's still all relative.

I really like the color you're getting on your tank. Makes me happy on my decision! Nice corals too btw!