Lighting idea

Fiziksgeek · 02/16/2006, 02:30 PM

I am trying to light a 30" cube for acros and clams.

I am considering 2-400W EVC electronic ballast, simple because they are much cheaper then Icecaps. What are people opinions on their quality???

For the bulbs, I was thinking of 1-XM10K and 1-XM20K. One is very blue, one is very white with a bit of yellow. Each in a Lumenarc A3 mini or Lumenarc 4. I was hoping that if you put one behind the other (and maybe tilt the reflector a bit), that the footprint of two lights would overlap thus combining the colors. If they were side by side, I think the color difference were obvious, but if one is behind the other...I wonder...

Anyone think this might work??

Either that, or I will have to wait for the Iwasaki 14K to come out in the 400W version, haha.

Wryknow · 02/16/2006, 04:12 PM

It's my humble opinion that that is complete over-kill for a 30 x 30 x03 tank. One 400W bulb with a lumenarc will provide plenty of light. I'd go with the 10K personally. Heck, I might even consider going with a single 250W DE 14K phoenix on that tank.

jimbo045 · 02/16/2006, 04:20 PM

I like and use 14,000s. I feel that they are between 10 and 20,000s. JD

Fiziksgeek · 02/17/2006, 06:53 AM

Bump for more opinions...

jasutton · 02/17/2006, 08:32 AM

i agree with wryknow, i think that is way too much light...250 should be fine

Fiziksgeek · 02/17/2006, 09:19 AM

How bout a single 400W in a lumenarc 3 reflector??

02/16/2006, 02:30 PM	#1
Fiziksgeek Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Oxford, CT Posts: 1,565	Lighting idea I am trying to light a 30" cube for acros and clams. I am considering 2-400W EVC electronic ballast, simple because they are much cheaper then Icecaps. What are people opinions on their quality??? For the bulbs, I was thinking of 1-XM10K and 1-XM20K. One is very blue, one is very white with a bit of yellow. Each in a Lumenarc A3 mini or Lumenarc 4. I was hoping that if you put one behind the other (and maybe tilt the reflector a bit), that the footprint of two lights would overlap thus combining the colors. If they were side by side, I think the color difference were obvious, but if one is behind the other...I wonder... Anyone think this might work?? Either that, or I will have to wait for the Iwasaki 14K to come out in the 400W version, haha.

02/16/2006, 04:12 PM	#2
Wryknow Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 1,203	It's my humble opinion that that is complete over-kill for a 30 x 30 x03 tank. One 400W bulb with a lumenarc will provide plenty of light. I'd go with the 10K personally. Heck, I might even consider going with a single 250W DE 14K phoenix on that tank. __________________ You cannot use reason to change the opinion of a person that did not use reason to form their opinion in the first place. Current Tank Info: 65 G RR, w/ 50 G sump/refugium, DIY LED lighting, AquaMaxx CO-1 skimmer, Tunze 1073.050 return

02/17/2006, 08:32 AM	#5
jasutton Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 770	i agree with wryknow, i think that is way too much light...250 should be fine __________________ Cheers! Jamie "I started laughing till it didnt hurt"- The Good Life Current Tank Info: 20L and building a 5.5 (almost done!)

02/16/2006, 04:20 PM	#3
jimbo045 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Aiea, HI. Posts: 1,788	I like and use 14,000s. I feel that they are between 10 and 20,000s. JD

02/17/2006, 06:53 AM	#4
Fiziksgeek Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Oxford, CT Posts: 1,565	Bump for more opinions...

02/17/2006, 09:19 AM	#6
Fiziksgeek Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Oxford, CT Posts: 1,565	How bout a single 400W in a lumenarc 3 reflector??