Lighting options for 75G BB...

harlequin75BB · 05/13/2009, 12:08 AM

Hi, This is my first thread on RC. I live in KS and have been reefing since Nov, 08'
Here is the 29 I currently have setup

I recently picked up a 75 and have been reviewing my lighting options.

my plans for the 75 include a tall DIY steel welded stand/wood facia, C2C overflow, 3 pipe durso, BB with starboard, closed loop, and possibly 40G sump and skimmer (not sure, possibly octo or MSX) Mostly LPS/SPS.

I have been thinking either...

-6X54W T5 HO
or
-2X175 SE or DE with Pheonix 14k (not sure, which Pendant. LIII possibly) mini lumenarcs?

I am leaning toward the MH's as I love the shimmer, originally I thought 2X250MH but I think I could get away with 2X175 SE.

any ideas on SE v.s. DE? I don't mind cleaning glass lenses and/or any needed husbandry.

I plan to mount the canopy on a frame attached to the stand while utilizing linear actuators to raise/lower the canopy. I have all the time in the world and am in no rush. This project may not get wet until this time next year, just trying to figure out my build and where I want to go with it.

I would like it to be efficient as do not plan on buying a chiller. With 2X250 I feel I would most likely need a chiller, but with a properly ventilated canopy I 'THINK' I should be okay with the 2X175. any suggestions, ideas?

Does anyone have any suggestions for lighting with a 75G BB LPS/SPS?

Thanks!

Tajjo · 05/13/2009, 12:14 AM

I have used t5, the color was not bad, but I like the colors I am getting from MH way more.

I used a tek light 6bulb, It worked great, lit up the entire tank, then I switched to DE pheonix 14k, it was great, I got amazing colors, faster growth, then I kept looking at locals that are using 20k SE radiums, so I switched last week, I am loving it, all the pop I need.

I used 250 watter over my tank with no supp actinics.

I went with the 250 because I wanted to get as much par as I could into my tank.

If I did/do ad t5 actinics, I will switch my mh bulb to 10k for faster growth.

harlequin75BB · 05/13/2009, 12:24 AM

I am planning on either t5's or MH's. What size tank do you have? I love the look of the 20K XM's. those bulbs seem very popular with 400W MH =] thanks for the response.

2X175W should be a good compromise between decent par and not needing a chiller for a 75 right?

Toddrtrex · 05/13/2009, 12:25 AM

To Reef Central

I am a MH person myself.

Over my 75 I have 2*250 DE + 4*54 T5s. I don't think there will be much of a heat difference b/t 175s and 250s. For my 75 (( Haddoni anemones and SPS )) I am able to keep my temps in check with just clip on fans over the sump.

One reason I would suggest 250s ((DE or SE )) over 175s is for a larger bulb choice.

harlequin75BB · 05/13/2009, 12:27 AM

awesome info Todd!
In the back of my mind I have been thinking 250W all along.
Then I think about my electric bill... lol! hopefully with all the new growth i'll be able to frag away and make a few $'s that way. =]

Toddrtrex · 05/13/2009, 12:29 AM

I stopped paying attention to my electric bill years ago.

My only saving grace is that my tanks heat my place nicely in the winter, so my gas (( heat )) bill is pretty low.

harlequin75BB · 05/13/2009, 06:43 PM

Does anyone have advice for reflectors? I think I want 2X175W SE Metal halides. This is for a 75,

Marklu · 05/13/2009, 11:05 PM

I have a 75 with 175 watts iwasaki 15ks with 2 54 watt t5's. I only have spider reflectors, but I have great growth and color. the iwasakis are intense so you go with a 14k bulb with less par i'd get some lumenarc's or lumenbrights.

harlequin75BB · 05/13/2009, 11:22 PM

from what I have read, lumenarc's are much better than the lumenbrights. I have had a difficult time finding 175W DE or SE reflectors. does anyone have a link to the lumenarcs or have a opinion on what I have read? lumenarc>lumenbright.

Thanks for the response marklu, You are saying you have the 15K's but would recommend a 14k iwasaki?

any pics to your lighting setup and or FTS marklu? Thanks!

Kent D. · 05/13/2009, 11:29 PM

I like my MH's but Icecap's T5 Retro kits are amazing.....depending on what bulb you get, it can look almost like a MH without the shimmer....

05/13/2009, 12:08 AM	#1
harlequin75BB Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Wichita, Ks Posts: 59	Lighting options for 75G BB... Hi, This is my first thread on RC. I live in KS and have been reefing since Nov, 08' Here is the 29 I currently have setup I recently picked up a 75 and have been reviewing my lighting options. my plans for the 75 include a tall DIY steel welded stand/wood facia, C2C overflow, 3 pipe durso, BB with starboard, closed loop, and possibly 40G sump and skimmer (not sure, possibly octo or MSX) Mostly LPS/SPS. I have been thinking either... -6X54W T5 HO or -2X175 SE or DE with Pheonix 14k (not sure, which Pendant. LIII possibly) mini lumenarcs? I am leaning toward the MH's as I love the shimmer, originally I thought 2X250MH but I think I could get away with 2X175 SE. any ideas on SE v.s. DE? I don't mind cleaning glass lenses and/or any needed husbandry. I plan to mount the canopy on a frame attached to the stand while utilizing linear actuators to raise/lower the canopy. I have all the time in the world and am in no rush. This project may not get wet until this time next year, just trying to figure out my build and where I want to go with it. I would like it to be efficient as do not plan on buying a chiller. With 2X250 I feel I would most likely need a chiller, but with a properly ventilated canopy I 'THINK' I should be okay with the 2X175. any suggestions, ideas? Does anyone have any suggestions for lighting with a 75G BB LPS/SPS? Thanks!

05/13/2009, 12:14 AM	#2
Tajjo Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Denver Posts: 1,039	I have used t5, the color was not bad, but I like the colors I am getting from MH way more. I used a tek light 6bulb, It worked great, lit up the entire tank, then I switched to DE pheonix 14k, it was great, I got amazing colors, faster growth, then I kept looking at locals that are using 20k SE radiums, so I switched last week, I am loving it, all the pop I need. I used 250 watter over my tank with no supp actinics. I went with the 250 because I wanted to get as much par as I could into my tank. If I did/do ad t5 actinics, I will switch my mh bulb to 10k for faster growth. __________________ Expect the worst and hope for the best! Current Tank Info: 75 gal display, 40 breeder sump. 1 Tunze 6105, 1 Maxi Jet mod, octopuss nw 200, 618 GEO calcium reactor, 2 250w mh icecap pendant with icecap ballast, pheonix bulbs, with 4 t5 VHO actinic

05/13/2009, 12:25 AM	#4
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	*To Reef Central* I am a MH person myself. Over my 75 I have 2250 DE + 454 T5s. I don't think there will be much of a heat difference b/t 175s and 250s. For my 75 (( Haddoni anemones and SPS )) I am able to keep my temps in check with just clip on fans over the sump. One reason I would suggest 250s ((DE or SE )) over 175s is for a larger bulb choice. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

05/13/2009, 12:29 AM	#6
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	I stopped paying attention to my electric bill years ago. My only saving grace is that my tanks heat my place nicely in the winter, so my gas (( heat )) bill is pretty low. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

05/13/2009, 12:24 AM	#3
harlequin75BB Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Wichita, Ks Posts: 59	I am planning on either t5's or MH's. What size tank do you have? I love the look of the 20K XM's. those bulbs seem very popular with 400W MH =] thanks for the response. 2X175W should be a good compromise between decent par and not needing a chiller for a 75 right?

05/13/2009, 12:27 AM	#5
harlequin75BB Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Wichita, Ks Posts: 59	awesome info Todd! In the back of my mind I have been thinking 250W all along. Then I think about my electric bill... lol! hopefully with all the new growth i'll be able to frag away and make a few $'s that way. =]

05/13/2009, 06:43 PM	#7
harlequin75BB Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Wichita, Ks Posts: 59	Does anyone have advice for reflectors? I think I want 2X175W SE Metal halides. This is for a 75,

05/13/2009, 11:05 PM	#8
Marklu Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 323	I have a 75 with 175 watts iwasaki 15ks with 2 54 watt t5's. I only have spider reflectors, but I have great growth and color. the iwasakis are intense so you go with a 14k bulb with less par i'd get some lumenarc's or lumenbrights.

05/13/2009, 11:22 PM	#9
harlequin75BB Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Wichita, Ks Posts: 59	from what I have read, lumenarc's are much better than the lumenbrights. I have had a difficult time finding 175W DE or SE reflectors. does anyone have a link to the lumenarcs or have a opinion on what I have read? lumenarc>lumenbright. Thanks for the response marklu, You are saying you have the 15K's but would recommend a 14k iwasaki? any pics to your lighting setup and or FTS marklu? Thanks!

05/13/2009, 11:29 PM	#10
Kent D. Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: NY Posts: 684	I like my MH's but Icecap's T5 Retro kits are amazing.....depending on what bulb you get, it can look almost like a MH without the shimmer....