Need bulb help for new tank.....36x30x16

docwells · 10/17/2007, 09:28 PM

I am going to be starting up a new tank measuring 36x30x16. I am going for the shallow tank look. I will be viewing it mainly from above. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestion for a 250 watt DE bulb I could use without actinics? I am going to possibly simplify my lighting and would like to only use halides. What do you think? I will be using the new Icecap 250 watt ballasts and run 2 halides.
Thank for the help.

carlso63 · 10/17/2007, 10:00 PM

Pheonix 14K 250w DE -

Best overall, all around choice in terms of getting good PAR for growth, pleasant color to look at (mid blue; not purplish, not 'yellow') and that desired coral "pop" w/o need for any actinic supplementation lighting...

And not too pricey, either

docwells · 10/17/2007, 10:07 PM

Carlos63,
I had used them before and went back to a bulb with lower K. That was what my eyes were used to. But that is definitely an option now with the new tank. Any other higher K ( 20K )bulbs that might work?

docwells · 10/18/2007, 12:42 PM

Afternoon bump

luke33 · 10/18/2007, 01:24 PM

20k radium's are very nice to look at and should be fine par wise with such a shallow tank.

E.Smith · 10/18/2007, 01:33 PM

You could try using 1 full size lumenarc with either a 250 or 400w MH. I am going to be setting up a cube 3'x3'x2' tank and from what I have seen the lumenarc 3 does a good job of lighting the entire are. Of course the outer edges of the tank might be slightly dimmer than the center. Just a thought worth looking into though.

docwells · 10/18/2007, 01:49 PM

Can you get 20k radiums in DE's? I already have 2 Reef optix De pendants that I want to use. I thought about the lumenarc, but was concerned about dim edges. The dim edges would lead me back to some vho or T5 supplementation.

luke33 · 10/18/2007, 02:07 PM

Nope, only SE

docwells · 10/19/2007, 06:15 PM

How do people feel about the 20k XM? I think I have narrowed my SE choices to 20K radiums, 20K XM, or Reeflux 14k. If I go the DE way, I will probably go phoenix .

10/17/2007, 09:28 PM	#1
docwells Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 952	Need bulb help for new tank.....36x30x16 I am going to be starting up a new tank measuring 36x30x16. I am going for the shallow tank look. I will be viewing it mainly from above. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestion for a 250 watt DE bulb I could use without actinics? I am going to possibly simplify my lighting and would like to only use halides. What do you think? I will be using the new Icecap 250 watt ballasts and run 2 halides. Thank for the help. __________________ Wellington Current Tank Info: 69 gallon AGE rimless starphire tank in progress...

10/17/2007, 10:00 PM	#2
carlso63 Reefkeeping since 1977 Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Lehi, Utah Posts: 948	Pheonix 14K 250w DE - Best overall, all around choice in terms of getting good PAR for growth, pleasant color to look at (mid blue; not purplish, not 'yellow') and that desired coral "pop" w/o need for any actinic supplementation lighting... And not too pricey, either __________________ -Member of the 35 & Over Club- Wanna see my tank? Go to www.utahreefs.com Current Tank Info: 150g Reef: 3 X 250 Halides (LumenMax3 / IceCap / Pheonix 14K DE), 2 X Gyre 150s, Elite Aquatics sump, dc9000 return, Curve 7, RKE, BRS Dual Reactor, Chaeto / Caulerpa Fuge

10/17/2007, 10:07 PM	#3
docwells Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 952	Carlos63, I had used them before and went back to a bulb with lower K. That was what my eyes were used to. But that is definitely an option now with the new tank. Any other higher K ( 20K )bulbs that might work? __________________ Wellington Current Tank Info: 69 gallon AGE rimless starphire tank in progress...

10/18/2007, 12:42 PM	#4
docwells Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 952	Afternoon bump __________________ Wellington Current Tank Info: 69 gallon AGE rimless starphire tank in progress...

10/18/2007, 01:49 PM	#7
docwells Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 952	Can you get 20k radiums in DE's? I already have 2 Reef optix De pendants that I want to use. I thought about the lumenarc, but was concerned about dim edges. The dim edges would lead me back to some vho or T5 supplementation. __________________ Wellington Current Tank Info: 69 gallon AGE rimless starphire tank in progress...

10/18/2007, 01:24 PM	#5
luke33 Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,375	20k radium's are very nice to look at and should be fine par wise with such a shallow tank.

10/18/2007, 01:33 PM	#6
E.Smith Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Central Valley, CA Posts: 160	You could try using 1 full size lumenarc with either a 250 or 400w MH. I am going to be setting up a cube 3'x3'x2' tank and from what I have seen the lumenarc 3 does a good job of lighting the entire are. Of course the outer edges of the tank might be slightly dimmer than the center. Just a thought worth looking into though.

10/18/2007, 02:07 PM	#8
luke33 Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,375	Nope, only SE

10/19/2007, 06:15 PM	#9
docwells Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 952	How do people feel about the 20k XM? I think I have narrowed my SE choices to 20K radiums, 20K XM, or Reeflux 14k. If I go the DE way, I will probably go phoenix . __________________ Wellington Current Tank Info: 69 gallon AGE rimless starphire tank in progress...