What MH combination should I go with?

J Mac · 02/19/2014, 02:07 PM

I'm looking to change my lighting which currently is a Coralife double ended 250W MH compact system with 2 65W PC and 2 moonlights. I'm not getting the color out of the double ended halide even with a 20K bulb. I'm looking for a deeper blue and I understand the single end bulbs provide a deeper blue.

My question with combination should I go with regarding bulbs, reflectors, and ballast. Should I have 1 x 400W, 2 x 250W (space my be an issue), or 1 x 250W. My tank demensions are below and I would like to keep a good amount of SPS in the tank.

90 Gallon Reef Savvy Tank
L 36" W 26" H 22"
My canopy is approximately the same size except in height. The canopy is mounted on the wall above the tank and floats approximately 14 inches above the tank. The canopy is 12 inches deep so plenty of room for a reflector.

grigsy · 02/19/2014, 09:22 PM

You may want to try just changing out your metal halide and pc bulbs first and lowering your lighting system (if possible) first before investing in a new set up.

Try a PHX 250 Watt HQI bulb and two 460nm blue pc bulbs or dual blue (460/420).

That will give you plenty of blue and shouldn't cost more than $100 - $120.

J Mac · 02/19/2014, 10:15 PM

I recently bought a 30k bulb for my current light system. I know...I know. Yes Iquatics in the UK actually makes such a bulb and it didn't make a difference. I was previously running 20k megachrome. I also run a super actinic 30" LED reef bright strip with the halide. This makes a big difference, but still not through color I see in other tanks running a single end 250w 20k radium. Anyone ever change from double end to single and notice a difference in color?

02/19/2014, 02:07 PM	#1
J Mac Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Ponte Vedra, FL Posts: 10 Blog Entries: 1	What MH combination should I go with? I'm looking to change my lighting which currently is a Coralife double ended 250W MH compact system with 2 65W PC and 2 moonlights. I'm not getting the color out of the double ended halide even with a 20K bulb. I'm looking for a deeper blue and I understand the single end bulbs provide a deeper blue. My question with combination should I go with regarding bulbs, reflectors, and ballast. Should I have 1 x 400W, 2 x 250W (space my be an issue), or 1 x 250W. My tank demensions are below and I would like to keep a good amount of SPS in the tank. 90 Gallon Reef Savvy Tank L 36" W 26" H 22" My canopy is approximately the same size except in height. The canopy is mounted on the wall above the tank and floats approximately 14 inches above the tank. The canopy is 12 inches deep so plenty of room for a reflector.

02/19/2014, 09:22 PM	#2
grigsy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Posts: 2,307	You may want to try just changing out your metal halide and pc bulbs first and lowering your lighting system (if possible) first before investing in a new set up. Try a PHX 250 Watt HQI bulb and two 460nm blue pc bulbs or dual blue (460/420). That will give you plenty of blue and shouldn't cost more than $100 - $120.

02/19/2014, 10:15 PM	#3
J Mac Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Ponte Vedra, FL Posts: 10 Blog Entries: 1	I recently bought a 30k bulb for my current light system. I know...I know. Yes Iquatics in the UK actually makes such a bulb and it didn't make a difference. I was previously running 20k megachrome. I also run a super actinic 30" LED reef bright strip with the halide. This makes a big difference, but still not through color I see in other tanks running a single end 250w 20k radium. Anyone ever change from double end to single and notice a difference in color?