Do softies do better under 150 or 250 MHs?

azhorsegal · 06/02/2007, 08:53 AM

OK, I almost have it narrowed down. I've decided to go with 3 IceCap MH 14K Retro Kits w/Electronic Ballast for my 125 gallon tank (72"L x 22"D x 18"W). My question to all you experienced reefers is this, would softies and frogspawn/torch do better under a 150 or 250? I might some day try some SPS, but it's not vital, but I would like to have an anemone and clam some day, but not at the expense of my softies and LPS (those would be my frogspawn and torch, right? Still trying to get a handle between softies and LPS.) I know T5s can be an option, but I've decided not to go with that, as retro kitting my canopy for this size tank will cost just as much, if not more as the MHs, so I've decided to go with MHs. Keep in mind the MH's will probably be at least 10" off the top of the water, if not more. I have a tall canopy being built and I want to make sure I have plenty of room to work with plus lots of space to keep the heat down. I'll have a 4 fan unit blowing accross the top of the water, plus the top of the canopy will be open.

Also, does anyone have the Lumenarc Mini Reflector? I was wondering if those are better than the Spider Reflectors. Maybe I can go with two MHs if I use the Lumenarc reflectors? (I've posted a picture below.)

mile sq. reefer · 06/02/2007, 09:23 AM

Since you are at 22" depth, go with the 250's. If you decide to go SPS later you will not need to upgrade lighting.

DSMpunk · 06/02/2007, 01:08 PM

I would also go with the 250s. IME contrary to popular opinion, most softies thrive under bright light. Just be sure to acclimate them first. LPS can shy away from brighter light though.

I have heard a lot of good things about the Lumenarch minis. I plan on getting a couple myself.

azhorsegal · 06/02/2007, 08:47 PM

Thanks for the reply. Anyone else have some thoughts before I place my order?

jmack · 06/03/2007, 05:04 PM

I had mostly softies and PC's before my upgrade...I got the current outer orbit 2x250 MH with T5's...all my mushrooms and even a kenya tree are doing GREAT...the zoas have multiplied too. I think anything but low light corals would appreciate the upgrade.

sirreal63 · 06/03/2007, 05:21 PM

I would do 150's and I did. There is a single 250 DE in the middle and a pair of LumenArc Mini's on each end. I retro'd my 150 watt DE's into it and it works awesome. I keep 3 clams on the sandbed under 150 watt XDE 10k's and they are grwing like crazy.

can you tell where the 250 is?

Not much difference is there?

open canopy shot, no actintic supplementation.

Check out sanjays site, 150 watt 10K XM's with electronic ballasts outperform many 250 watt bulbs with less elect., less heat and good color. 250's just aren't needed with a 125's depth.

azhorsegal · 06/03/2007, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sirreal63
open canopy shot, no actintic supplementation.

Check out sanjays site, 150 watt 10K XM's with electronic ballasts outperform many 250 watt bulbs with less elect., less heat and good color. 250's just aren't needed with a 125's depth. [/B]

How high up are your lights from the water? I've actually already placed my order before you posted. I went ahead and got 2 IceCap 250W MH 14K SE Retro Kits with Lumenark Minis. I'm hoping the two lights will cover most of what I need and if the middle does end up being a little darker I can use it for my lower light corals. And if I don't like it I can always buy a third light. I'm now thinking I should have gone with the 150s.

I've just been doing so much research on the lights I got to the point I was tired of researching, so I went with what I thought was best. Plus, my current lights are not that good and I think my frogspawn is starting to suffer, so I felt like I was under a little pressure to get new lights soon. I still might try and change my order though. I'm so confused!!!

sirreal63 · 06/03/2007, 08:21 PM

Light bulbs are 11" from the water and the bottom of the reflector is 7" from the water. Honestly what you got is fine but 2 may not cover 6' so you may need to raise them higher. I am happy with the mini's and I think you will too. 14K bulbs IMO are not worth it, I tried 250 watt Hamiltons...good color but low par, 250 watt 14K Phoenix's had great par but a washed out blue look. I prefer the look of the 10K XM's for color and par.

This is just a single 150 watt 10K XM (xde in DE variety) and the color is correct in the pic with what they eye sees. No actinitcs in this shot.

sirreal63 · 06/03/2007, 08:23 PM

On a different note...the center bulb is a 250 watt 10K XDE and it is more yellow than the 150's. What brand bulbs did you get?

azhorsegal · 06/03/2007, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sirreal63
On a different note...the center bulb is a 250 watt 10K XDE and it is more yellow than the 150's. What brand bulbs did you get?

I got the CoralVue 250W 14K. I wasn't wanting to do actinics, so that's why I went with the 14K. But your pictures look good. It wouldn't be hard to change the bulb though if I don't like it, so long as it's a 250W, right? I had the option of getting the following bulbs:

CoralVue 10K
CoralVue 14K
CoralVue 20K
ReefLux 10K (add $6)
ReefLux 12K (add $6)
XM 10K (add $5)
XM 15K (add $5)
XM 20K (add $6)
Aqualine 10K (add $43)
Radium 20K (add $35)
Giesemann 12.5K (add $65)
Giesemann 14.5K (add $85)

Even if I change the bulb do you think 250W is overkill?

sirreal63 · 06/03/2007, 09:29 PM

You can learn a lot about bulb and ballast combinations by going here...if you haven't already discovered it.
http://www.reeflightinginfo.arvixe.c...rmancedata.php

250 watts isn't overkill by any means and you will most likely do as many of us have...try different bulbs until you find one that is visually appealing and gives good growth. Single ended and double ended often render color differently, so an XM 250 10K may look different than an XDE 250 10K and the ballast you fire it with will also play a factor in color.

azhorsegal · 06/03/2007, 11:16 PM

Thanks for the info and your help. I think I'll stick with what I have and see what it looks like when I get it all set up. Then if I have to I'll play around with some different bulbs if I don't like the look. I do know though, that I will need to wait for 100 burn hours before the lights will be at it's true color, correct?

sirreal63 · 06/03/2007, 11:22 PM

At least....it can take a while for the true color of the bulb to appear. It took about a month for the 250 watt XDE to get the right color...it was very yellow when I first fired it up, not it has mellowed into a nice bright white color with a hint of blue.

frederickk · 06/08/2007, 06:43 PM

Nice tank sirreal63

sirreal63 · 06/08/2007, 07:14 PM

Thanks...it is a work in progress.

DSMpunk · 06/08/2007, 09:12 PM

Isn't it always a work in progress?

06/02/2007, 08:53 AM	#1
azhorsegal Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 488	Do softies do better under 150 or 250 MHs? OK, I almost have it narrowed down. I've decided to go with 3 IceCap MH 14K Retro Kits w/Electronic Ballast for my 125 gallon tank (72"L x 22"D x 18"W). My question to all you experienced reefers is this, would softies and frogspawn/torch do better under a 150 or 250? I might some day try some SPS, but it's not vital, but I would like to have an anemone and clam some day, but not at the expense of my softies and LPS (those would be my frogspawn and torch, right? Still trying to get a handle between softies and LPS.) I know T5s can be an option, but I've decided not to go with that, as retro kitting my canopy for this size tank will cost just as much, if not more as the MHs, so I've decided to go with MHs. Keep in mind the MH's will probably be at least 10" off the top of the water, if not more. I have a tall canopy being built and I want to make sure I have plenty of room to work with plus lots of space to keep the heat down. I'll have a 4 fan unit blowing accross the top of the water, plus the top of the canopy will be open. Also, does anyone have the Lumenarc Mini Reflector? I was wondering if those are better than the Spider Reflectors. Maybe I can go with two MHs if I use the Lumenarc reflectors? (I've posted a picture below.)

06/02/2007, 01:08 PM	#3
DSMpunk Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Des Moines IA Posts: 1,064	I would also go with the 250s. IME contrary to popular opinion, most softies thrive under bright light. Just be sure to acclimate them first. LPS can shy away from brighter light though. I have heard a lot of good things about the Lumenarch minis. I plan on getting a couple myself. __________________ -Sean Current Tank Info: SPS Dominated 150

06/03/2007, 05:21 PM	#6
sirreal63 Go Spurs Go!!! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Meadowlakes Texas Posts: 13,357	I would do 150's and I did. There is a single 250 DE in the middle and a pair of LumenArc Mini's on each end. I retro'd my 150 watt DE's into it and it works awesome. I keep 3 clams on the sandbed under 150 watt XDE 10k's and they are grwing like crazy. can you tell where the 250 is? Not much difference is there? open canopy shot, no actintic supplementation. Check out sanjays site, 150 watt 10K XM's with electronic ballasts outperform many 250 watt bulbs with less elect., less heat and good color. 250's just aren't needed with a 125's depth. __________________ Jack No One has ever been seriously injured by using the search function. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency. Current Tank Info: Reefing the Pentagon.

06/03/2007, 08:21 PM	#8
sirreal63 Go Spurs Go!!! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Meadowlakes Texas Posts: 13,357	Light bulbs are 11" from the water and the bottom of the reflector is 7" from the water. Honestly what you got is fine but 2 may not cover 6' so you may need to raise them higher. I am happy with the mini's and I think you will too. 14K bulbs IMO are not worth it, I tried 250 watt Hamiltons...good color but low par, 250 watt 14K Phoenix's had great par but a washed out blue look. I prefer the look of the 10K XM's for color and par. This is just a single 150 watt 10K XM (xde in DE variety) and the color is correct in the pic with what they eye sees. No actinitcs in this shot. __________________ Jack No One has ever been seriously injured by using the search function. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency. Current Tank Info: Reefing the Pentagon.

06/03/2007, 08:23 PM	#9
sirreal63 Go Spurs Go!!! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Meadowlakes Texas Posts: 13,357	On a different note...the center bulb is a 250 watt 10K XDE and it is more yellow than the 150's. What brand bulbs did you get? __________________ Jack No One has ever been seriously injured by using the search function. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency. Current Tank Info: Reefing the Pentagon.

06/02/2007, 09:23 AM	#2
mile sq. reefer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: NJ Posts: 2,045	Since you are at 22" depth, go with the 250's. If you decide to go SPS later you will not need to upgrade lighting.

06/02/2007, 08:47 PM	#4
azhorsegal Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 488	Thanks for the reply. Anyone else have some thoughts before I place my order?

06/03/2007, 05:04 PM	#5
jmack Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: NV Posts: 1,060	I had mostly softies and PC's before my upgrade...I got the current outer orbit 2x250 MH with T5's...all my mushrooms and even a kenya tree are doing GREAT...the zoas have multiplied too. I think anything but low light corals would appreciate the upgrade.

06/03/2007, 09:29 PM	#11
sirreal63 Go Spurs Go!!! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Meadowlakes Texas Posts: 13,357	You can learn a lot about bulb and ballast combinations by going here...if you haven't already discovered it. http://www.reeflightinginfo.arvixe.c...rmancedata.php 250 watts isn't overkill by any means and you will most likely do as many of us have...try different bulbs until you find one that is visually appealing and gives good growth. Single ended and double ended often render color differently, so an XM 250 10K may look different than an XDE 250 10K and the ballast you fire it with will also play a factor in color. __________________ Jack No One has ever been seriously injured by using the search function. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency. Current Tank Info: Reefing the Pentagon.

06/03/2007, 11:16 PM	#12
azhorsegal Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 488	Thanks for the info and your help. I think I'll stick with what I have and see what it looks like when I get it all set up. Then if I have to I'll play around with some different bulbs if I don't like the look. I do know though, that I will need to wait for 100 burn hours before the lights will be at it's true color, correct?

06/03/2007, 11:22 PM	#13
sirreal63 Go Spurs Go!!! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Meadowlakes Texas Posts: 13,357	At least....it can take a while for the true color of the bulb to appear. It took about a month for the 250 watt XDE to get the right color...it was very yellow when I first fired it up, not it has mellowed into a nice bright white color with a hint of blue. __________________ Jack No One has ever been seriously injured by using the search function. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency. Current Tank Info: Reefing the Pentagon.

06/08/2007, 06:43 PM	#14
frederickk Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 2,712	Nice tank sirreal63

06/08/2007, 07:14 PM	#15
sirreal63 Go Spurs Go!!! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Meadowlakes Texas Posts: 13,357	Thanks...it is a work in progress. __________________ Jack No One has ever been seriously injured by using the search function. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency. Current Tank Info: Reefing the Pentagon.

06/08/2007, 09:12 PM	#16
DSMpunk Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Des Moines IA Posts: 1,064	Isn't it always a work in progress? __________________ -Sean Current Tank Info: SPS Dominated 150