Best lighting for my new 30x30x18 starphire rimless cube

jmdavis · 11/22/2009, 09:53 PM

My new cube will arrive from Coast-to-Coast in December. I love the shimmer and will use MH, likely a single 250 14000 bulb, or a 175 10K bulb with actinics. I need to spread the light for a 30x30 footprint. I want a mixed reef, including mushrooms. Minimalist live rock formations. No walls. Any light advice or specific model recommendations would be a big help. Thanks.

Peter Eichler · 11/22/2009, 10:03 PM

I'd suggest you get a Lumenarc reflector/pendant of some type, they do particularly well lighting a larger area. Bulb wise, it just depends on what's most important to you and how blue you like a tank to be. Best bang for the buck is Phoenix for DE bulbs, Radium on an M80 ballast is nicer but more expensive, if you want something with a little less blue the Aquaconnect 14k SE bulb is very nice. Driving all 3 of those bulbs with an M80 ballast will give you more par, electronic ballast with give you a little more blue and less par.

11/22/2009, 09:53 PM	#1
jmdavis Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Northampton MA Posts: 7	Best lighting for my new 30x30x18 starphire rimless cube My new cube will arrive from Coast-to-Coast in December. I love the shimmer and will use MH, likely a single 250 14000 bulb, or a 175 10K bulb with actinics. I need to spread the light for a 30x30 footprint. I want a mixed reef, including mushrooms. Minimalist live rock formations. No walls. Any light advice or specific model recommendations would be a big help. Thanks. __________________ Mike Current Tank Info: shallow reef cube 30x30x18

11/22/2009, 10:03 PM	#2
Peter Eichler Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 6,081	I'd suggest you get a Lumenarc reflector/pendant of some type, they do particularly well lighting a larger area. Bulb wise, it just depends on what's most important to you and how blue you like a tank to be. Best bang for the buck is Phoenix for DE bulbs, Radium on an M80 ballast is nicer but more expensive, if you want something with a little less blue the Aquaconnect 14k SE bulb is very nice. Driving all 3 of those bulbs with an M80 ballast will give you more par, electronic ballast with give you a little more blue and less par.