The famous "what light?" question

RebelReef · 05/11/2010, 12:39 PM

Had this posted in another forum and didn't recieve any input so I'll try here.

I have a Current Outer Orbit light fixture with (2) 150w metal halides and (2) 130w actinic PC's for a total of 560 watts. I also have a Current Sunpod fixture with (2) 250 metal halides for a total of 500 watts. Should I consider this 300 watts vs 500 watts? Or 560 watts vs 500 watts?

I'm trying to figure out if one light is better than the other. I like the fact that the Outer Orbit has actinics, but it that purely for "cosmetic"reasons? Or does it actually add to the the total PAR value? I've heard that actinics trigger photosynthesis, but I'm no expert.

Which ever one I use, will be going over a 90g tank. Mostly stocked with LPS, some SPS and a few softies.

Sorry if this is confusing...

RebelReef · 05/11/2010, 10:48 PM

Does anyone have any input?

redfishsc · 05/11/2010, 11:08 PM

Either light will do the job.

The actinics do produce some useable light, depending on the color. The "violet" 420nm actinics don't produce as much but they look fantastic. The "blue" 460nm bulbs produce a lot more usable light, and look good but generally has a different look than the 420nm actinics.

The 2X250 will save you money in the long run (only 2 bulbs to replace: no PC bulbs to buy) but the Outer Orbit will look nicer to the eye if you prefer a lot of blue.

If I had to guess, I'd suspect the 2X250 would actually put more useable light into your tank, especially at the depth of a 90g tank. This is what I'd use.

Also, when comparing two lights together like this, don't worry about adding up the watts. A watt of energy used by a halide bulb produces a LOT more light than a watt used by the PC bulb--- a drastic difference in output.

RebelReef · 05/12/2010, 09:27 AM

Thanks for the info. I originally purchased the 250w fixture so that I could keep corals lower in the tank. But comparing the 250's on the tank to the 150's, I can't tell a difference. The only thing I can notice, is that the 250's put off a good bit more heat. But they both look the same. That being said, they both need new bulbs, which is why I'm trying to decide on which fixture to go with...

grigsy · 05/13/2010, 08:56 PM

I like the sunpods. They are nice. The 150 watt though should not be as bright as the 250 watt if you are using the same Kelvin lamp especially. You may want to check the capacitor of the 250 watt - perhaps it is faulty.

Maybe try a PHX 250 watt 14K. That is a popular lamp and better than the Current stock halide. 2 x 250 wattt should give you more growth than 2 x 150 with two blue 130w pc.

05/11/2010, 12:39 PM	#1
RebelReef Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Jax, Fl Posts: 154	The famous "what light?" question Had this posted in another forum and didn't recieve any input so I'll try here. I have a Current Outer Orbit light fixture with (2) 150w metal halides and (2) 130w actinic PC's for a total of 560 watts. I also have a Current Sunpod fixture with (2) 250 metal halides for a total of 500 watts. Should I consider this 300 watts vs 500 watts? Or 560 watts vs 500 watts? I'm trying to figure out if one light is better than the other. I like the fact that the Outer Orbit has actinics, but it that purely for "cosmetic"reasons? Or does it actually add to the the total PAR value? I've heard that actinics trigger photosynthesis, but I'm no expert. Which ever one I use, will be going over a 90g tank. Mostly stocked with LPS, some SPS and a few softies. Sorry if this is confusing...

05/11/2010, 11:08 PM	#3
redfishsc Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Wake Forest, NC Posts: 3,696	Either light will do the job. The actinics do produce some useable light, depending on the color. The "violet" 420nm actinics don't produce as much but they look fantastic. The "blue" 460nm bulbs produce a lot more usable light, and look good but generally has a different look than the 420nm actinics. The 2X250 will save you money in the long run (only 2 bulbs to replace: no PC bulbs to buy) but the Outer Orbit will look nicer to the eye if you prefer a lot of blue. If I had to guess, I'd suspect the 2X250 would actually put more useable light into your tank, especially at the depth of a 90g tank. This is what I'd use. Also, when comparing two lights together like this, don't worry about adding up the watts. A watt of energy used by a halide bulb produces a LOT more light than a watt used by the PC bulb--- a drastic difference in output. __________________ "The measure of a life is not its duration but its donation." Corrie Ten Boom “The tyrant dies and his rule is over, the martyr dies and his rule begins” -- Søren Kierkegaard Current Tank Info: ghetto grad school reef.....11g rimless tank, 36X9X9, lit by Cree and Rebels scobbled together. Stocked mostly with free stuff I got from panhandling my fellow reefers.

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05/11/2010, 10:48 PM	#2
RebelReef Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Jax, Fl Posts: 154	Does anyone have any input?

05/12/2010, 09:27 AM	#4
RebelReef Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Jax, Fl Posts: 154	Thanks for the info. I originally purchased the 250w fixture so that I could keep corals lower in the tank. But comparing the 250's on the tank to the 150's, I can't tell a difference. The only thing I can notice, is that the 250's put off a good bit more heat. But they both look the same. That being said, they both need new bulbs, which is why I'm trying to decide on which fixture to go with...

05/13/2010, 08:56 PM	#5
grigsy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Posts: 2,307	I like the sunpods. They are nice. The 150 watt though should not be as bright as the 250 watt if you are using the same Kelvin lamp especially. You may want to check the capacitor of the 250 watt - perhaps it is faulty. Maybe try a PHX 250 watt 14K. That is a popular lamp and better than the Current stock halide. 2 x 250 wattt should give you more growth than 2 x 150 with two blue 130w pc.