lighting for 93 gallon sps dominant cube

[kylemm]

Hello everyone!

I got out of owning a reef for about a year and a half now. However, I'm being pulled back in and can't help but start a new tank. This is going to be a sps dominant tank with a few lps corals amongst the deeper part of the tank. The dimensions of the tank are 30x30x24.

I've only done compacts and LED's before. However, this time I'm wanting to go metal halide. From what I've seen I like the look the the phoenix 14k bulbs. I do not have experience on selecting a reflector and balast from there. I've been doing my research so I now have a basic understanding at least. The first question I have is, should I be looking at a 250 or 400w bulb for this tank? The tank is not going to have a ton of room in the hood. So I most likely will not be able to hang mh higher than 8 in. or so off the water. My second question was, what would be a better choice? Hqi (I think hqi are the same as de?) or the single ended bulbs. Last question, what would be a good compliment to either of those bulbs in terms of balast and reflector? I'm assuming electronic balast would work for either one? Correct me if I'm wrong. I saw that the cayman sun pendants and balast combos have been getting pretty good reviews?

Thank you so much for any input I can get. I will continue to research further. However, I really appreciate your guys years of experience.

[Brian0813]

I'm thinking about switching over from my gen2 radion so I'm interested in this too.

[rtparty]

400w Radium in a reflector that will be big enough for your tank. I don't know which reflectors well enough.

Get the proper ballast to run the Radium which I believe is the M80. You'll love it!

[kylemm]

Originally Posted by rtparty

400w Radium in a reflector that will be big enough for your tank. I don't know which reflectors well enough.

Get the proper ballast to run the Radium which I believe is the M80. You'll love it!

Thanks for the reply! The m80 is a magnetic balast if I'm not mistaken. If I want to run a radium or pheonix 14k bulb would I be better off paying more and getting the electronic balast?

[rtparty]

Originally Posted by kylemm

Thanks for the reply! The m80 is a magnetic balast if I'm not mistaken. If I want to run a radium or pheonix 14k bulb would I be better off paying more and getting the electronic balast?

Only if it's the ballast meant to run those bulbs.

The Radium is specifically designed to run on the magnetic

[Southreef]

Originally Posted by rtparty

Only if it's the ballast meant to run those bulbs.

The Radium is specifically designed to run on the magnetic

I was under the impression that the 250w Radiums were designed for magnetic ballasts while the 400w Radiums are designed to run to spec on electronic ballasts.... I have never personally run halides but I have been bitten by the same bug as the OP and have been doing a lot of research lately (hopefully the right kind of research)

[rtparty]

Originally Posted by Southreef

I was under the impression that the 250w Radiums were designed for magnetic ballasts while the 400w Radiums are designed to run to spec on electronic ballasts.... I have never personally run halides but I have been bitten by the same bug as the OP and have been doing a lot of research lately (hopefully the right kind of research)

Could be that as well.

I haven't run halide in years and only research them every so often.

If I were setting up a new tank, Radiums are the only way I would go

[jdraider75]

I believe spec ballast for 400 watt radium is m135. And for 250 is m80. But I could be wrong.

[Southreef]

I was confused... Electronic ballast will run it closer to the 360w spec with a sacrifice in PAR ratings. I went this route with my Halide setup that I just purchased (yesterday)as I'm getting two 400 watt pendants for my standard 90. I love blue light and figured the reduction in par from an electronic ballast will provide the right amount of par(read this as "I don't want to cook my corals"). I'm still reading through the thousands of posts about halide setups to help myself dial in my new setup.


I found the answer in this article: http://premiumaquatics.com/articles/radium

That's what I love about this hobby, there's always something to learn!

[moondoggy4]

^^^ 2nd good read.

Another option is Reef Brites MH/Led lighting. There is one for sell on the used forum so the OP would have to get wordy with some good post to buy it.

[moondoggy4]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_G6nqhkWTGM HTH

[Indiana Reefin]

http://test.reefcentral.com/forums/s....php?t=1780539
check my old 93 with a 400 watt radium. My favorite light setup I have ever had

[MarksReef]

Originally Posted by moondoggy4

^^^ 2nd good read.

Another option is Reef Brites MH/Led lighting. There is one for sell on the used forum so the OP would have to get wordy with some good post to buy it.

I don't see that sale? Can you point it out ?

[MarksReef]

oops double post

[grigsy]

For a few years, I ran 3 - Phoenix 250 Watt HQI with my Cayman Sun 250 reflectors with M80 ballasts. I liked the look it gave my tank and the growth was great. Very nice color out of the corals. Good light if you have only halides with no other supplemental lighting.

Magnetic MH ballasts last forever. I still use them now.

That or a 250 Cayman Sun Radium system would both be good choices for that tank.

Radium is a bit more natural blue look in my opinion. It really looks nice.

[Bpb]

Originally Posted by grigsy

Magnetic MH ballasts last forever

+1

I run two Hamilton M80 ballasts. This is for any bulb I choose. Started with radiums and have moved to XM10k. These ballasts drive the XM bulbs to an amazing 180+ ppfd. That ranks 4th highest on all currently available mh bulbs used in this hobby (including 400 watt). The radiums look just lovely on the m80 ballasts.

On their longevity. I got my first ballast for free and it looks like it was built during the silent film era. I mean this thing looks like an antique or something pulled out of a time capsule. I purchased a brand new one to run side by side and the old one functions just as well. Fires the bulbs just as quickly, runs at the same temperature and sound level (warm and quiet), and to my eye I can detect zero color temp difference among identical bulbs from old ballast to new. Good stuff.

[kylemm]

Originally Posted by grigsy

For a few years, I ran 3 - Phoenix 250 Watt HQI with my Cayman Sun 250 reflectors with M80 ballasts. I liked the look it gave my tank and the growth was great. Very nice color out of the corals. Good light if you have only halides with no other supplemental lighting.

Magnetic MH ballasts last forever. I still use them now.

That or a 250 Cayman Sun Radium system would both be good choices for that tank.

Radium is a bit more natural blue look in my opinion. It really looks nice.

What tank did you have that over? I'm trying to decide between a 93 gallon cube or 90gallon rectangle. Both are 24 inches deep. With a rectangle tank like a 48x18x24 would I be able to do 2x250 w or would I have to go for 2x400?

Do the radium bolbs have a decent tint of blue? I'm thinking of doing mh only. At least for a while. I do like a bluer light which is why I was leaning towards the phoenix. Its hard to tell though through just pictures though

[kylemm]

Bulbs not bolbs. Lol

[MarksReef]

I found a used one but I can't believe there isn't any long term reviews on the Reef Bright Hybrids.
Kylemm:
I am going to try it on my 30X30X24.
He has 2 of them for sale. I can P.M. you the details on it if you want.

[dabob79]

Originally Posted by MarksReef

I found a used one but I can't believe there isn't any long term reviews on the Reef Bright Hybrids.
Kylemm:
I am going to try it on my 30X30X24.
He has 2 of them for sale. I can P.M. you the details on it if you want.

This is one of the fixtures I was looking at for my 93 gallon cube! You say he has 2 of them???

[MarksReef]

Originally Posted by dabob79

This is one of the fixtures I was looking at for my 93 gallon cube! You say he has 2 of them???

Yes I bought one and he has one left. I will P.M. you his Info.

[mirkus]

8 inches seems a little low to get the kind of spread you are looking for

[kylemm]

Are you still looking to sell one? Sorry I am getting back so late!

[MarksReef]

Originally Posted by kylemm

Are you still looking to sell one? Sorry I am getting back so late!

I pm'ed you the info~