Project 33 cube! need light advice

NALCOMIS · 07/23/2008, 11:04 PM

I bought this tank a year and a half ago thinking I may need it some day. I decided now I need it! my puny 12 gallon nano is overstuffed and this 33 would suit my corals just fine. I drilled the back wall of the tank, bought the wood for the stand from the Home depot scrap bin $6, and some supplies $15. here it is so far...

Should i use a 250w bulb or 175w? I have both at my disposal.

d_signr · 07/23/2008, 11:11 PM

The tank looks tall, i'd go with the 250 to get maximum light to the bottom.

h20poloman2 · 07/23/2008, 11:18 PM

I'd second the 250w since you only have to use one bulb. If you do roll with the 175w, go with the Iwasaki 15k aqua2 bulb. Great par!

NALCOMIS · 07/23/2008, 11:39 PM

This is going to be a non sps tank only lps/zoas/softies. I have some favia, torch, brain, mushrooms, zoas, toad stool, xenia and gsp going in there so far.

my 175 ballast is magnetic and my 250w ballast is electronic. I have read that electronic ballasts are more efficient than magnetic. Is is more cost efficient or is it that the output is more stable making it more efficient for the longevity of the bulb?

rlabriola · 07/24/2008, 12:38 AM

All of the corals you mentioned are going to flourish at the bottom of the tank if using the 250w...i recommend the 175w or less.....i run a 150HQI on a 24" deep tank and the softies like to grow about the middle. in my frag tank under 250w's, the softies slowly perish.....i recommend electronic ballast with 150w bulb...phoenix 14k.

07/23/2008, 11:04 PM	#1
NALCOMIS Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Laguna hills Posts: 1,271	Project 33 cube! need light advice I bought this tank a year and a half ago thinking I may need it some day. I decided now I need it! my puny 12 gallon nano is overstuffed and this 33 would suit my corals just fine. I drilled the back wall of the tank, bought the wood for the stand from the Home depot scrap bin $6, and some supplies $15. here it is so far... Should i use a 250w bulb or 175w? I have both at my disposal.

07/23/2008, 11:11 PM	#2
d_signr Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Anaheim Posts: 560	The tank looks tall, i'd go with the 250 to get maximum light to the bottom. __________________ Mikey Current Tank Info: 120g 4x2x2, 8 bulb t5 lighting.

07/23/2008, 11:39 PM	#4
NALCOMIS Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Laguna hills Posts: 1,271	This is going to be a non sps tank only lps/zoas/softies. I have some favia, torch, brain, mushrooms, zoas, toad stool, xenia and gsp going in there so far. my 175 ballast is magnetic and my 250w ballast is electronic. I have read that electronic ballasts are more efficient than magnetic. Is is more cost efficient or is it that the output is more stable making it more efficient for the longevity of the bulb? Last edited by NALCOMIS; 07/23/2008 at 11:46 PM.

07/24/2008, 12:38 AM	#5
rlabriola Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Dana Point, Ca Posts: 333	All of the corals you mentioned are going to flourish at the bottom of the tank if using the 250w...i recommend the 175w or less.....i run a 150HQI on a 24" deep tank and the softies like to grow about the middle. in my frag tank under 250w's, the softies slowly perish.....i recommend electronic ballast with 150w bulb...phoenix 14k. __________________ -- Doing nothing is always an option-- Current Tank Info: 30 Gallon Tall - 250W 14K Halide, 10G Sump, AC3, Tunze 6055, Tunze 9010, Custom CaRx, BB, SPS

07/23/2008, 11:18 PM	#3
h20poloman2 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Lake Mary FL Posts: 323	I'd second the 250w since you only have to use one bulb. If you do roll with the 175w, go with the Iwasaki 15k aqua2 bulb. Great par!