Lighting options for 30g oceanic cube

caseymou · 12/03/2006, 08:07 PM

I just finished setting up my cube and am in need of lighting options. No retros which leaves hoods or pendants. I don't think I would like a 24" hood hanging over the sides so T5's are out. What I've found so far:

1) Retro a 70w bulb in my 2x40w orbit fixture. I had planned to do this long ago but never got around to it. I have most of the parts already but am afraid it won't be enough light for my taste. Then there's the safty issue of adding all that heat...

2) Aquamedic DE pendant. 150 or 250w. using 14k phoenix or 20k ab. I like the look of this pendant best but I'm now thinking that I would prefer the look of a hood after having my orbit fixture over the tank for a day. It is a pretty deep tank so I'm thinking 250w would work best with a bluer bulb.

3) 20" sunpaq 150w. If it had pc supplemental lighting it would be my choice hands down. But I'm afraid that by the time I go to 150w DE bulb with 14 or 20k I will lose enough par that it'll look too dim.

Any input or other setups I should consider? Price isn't really an issue since most setups are $300 or less. The Aquamedic pendant was going to be my choice and I am already setup to hang it but thought it wouldn't hurt to post first. I keep zoas, shrooms, and other softies but like monti caps and digi as well. Other than possible birdsnest and some pocillipora and monti's, I don't plan to keep much SPS. What is the best white/blue bulb in the 150w range if I choose to go that way? Does Phoenix make a 150? Sorry for alll the questions but I haven't kept up on the lighting scene. My previous tank used 250w MH retroed in a hood.

caseymou · 12/03/2006, 08:08 PM

BTW, my livestock is in tubs now so I'm looking to make this purchase by Tuesday. I know it should cycle but the old tank teardown was somewhat of an emergency so I didn't have the time to plan it very well.

A little more research shows that replacing the bulb in the sunpod is preferred. Also the ballast in the sunpod is internal which I see as convenient but probably not as rugged as an external magnetic ballast like the aquamedic pendant has. Also, will 150w of 14 or 20k light be bright enough in the 24" tall cube? BTW, the width is 20".

zachluhrs · 12/04/2006, 03:10 AM

The AquaMedic 250w DE pendant is probably your best bet. Either the Pheonix 14k bulb or the new 250w DE Ushio 14K bulb to go along with that setup. I've seen the new Ushio DE 14k bulb in action, sweet color. Not to blue or too white.

caseymou · 12/04/2006, 07:08 AM

AB 20K not a popular bulb then? 150w not enough?

DragonFish · 12/04/2006, 09:50 AM

I have the 33 cube with the JBJ Viper 150W on it and it really could use more light. There are two nice 20" 250W HQI setups out right now, the less expensive version is an Odyssea model that can be found on ebay. They have been know to have problems but this new version has an electronic ballast and good cooling. The couple people I know who have it love it and the price is right at around $175 shipped. The second and probably ideal choice is the new Sunpod Pro 250w. No supplemental actinics but it does have nice integrated moonlights. I've seen it for sale at www.petwarehouse.com so far for a bit over $300.

Chihuahua6 · 12/04/2006, 11:53 AM

The 20" Sunpod now comes in 250 watt. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...&N=2004+113352
I personally think the 150 watt would be sufficient for this application though. Here's another option if you want 250 watts with actinics in one compact unit. I ordered it last week with two 32 watt actinics and a 10000k Ushio bulb. I chose the Icecap ballast to run it so switching bulbs will never be a problem: http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewIt...product=PF2657

caseymou · 12/04/2006, 11:56 AM

I think I like the odyssea setup on ebay. The sunpod is just too expensive and none in stock anyways. Anyone with any exp using this fixture?

caseymou · 12/04/2006, 02:14 PM

Thought I'd update again. Difficult to find information on the odyssea MH setups but I did find one thread in particular. What I found was just a little too many stories of catching on fire. Regardless of whether it was improper setup of the equipment or faulty ballasts that were replaced by electronics, I don't feel comfortable having something like that turned on when I'm not home. I'm going to get an aquamedic pendant (250w) with 14k phoenix bulb.

NewSchool04 · 12/04/2006, 03:23 PM

I use this over my 30 gallon w/ a 12K Reeflux bulb:
http://www.reefgeek.com/products/cat...ng/104600.html

12/03/2006, 08:07 PM	#1
caseymou Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: West side of Indianapolis Posts: 373	Lighting options for 30g oceanic cube I just finished setting up my cube and am in need of lighting options. No retros which leaves hoods or pendants. I don't think I would like a 24" hood hanging over the sides so T5's are out. What I've found so far: 1) Retro a 70w bulb in my 2x40w orbit fixture. I had planned to do this long ago but never got around to it. I have most of the parts already but am afraid it won't be enough light for my taste. Then there's the safty issue of adding all that heat... 2) Aquamedic DE pendant. 150 or 250w. using 14k phoenix or 20k ab. I like the look of this pendant best but I'm now thinking that I would prefer the look of a hood after having my orbit fixture over the tank for a day. It is a pretty deep tank so I'm thinking 250w would work best with a bluer bulb. 3) 20" sunpaq 150w. If it had pc supplemental lighting it would be my choice hands down. But I'm afraid that by the time I go to 150w DE bulb with 14 or 20k I will lose enough par that it'll look too dim. Any input or other setups I should consider? Price isn't really an issue since most setups are $300 or less. The Aquamedic pendant was going to be my choice and I am already setup to hang it but thought it wouldn't hurt to post first. I keep zoas, shrooms, and other softies but like monti caps and digi as well. Other than possible birdsnest and some pocillipora and monti's, I don't plan to keep much SPS. What is the best white/blue bulb in the 150w range if I choose to go that way? Does Phoenix make a 150? Sorry for alll the questions but I haven't kept up on the lighting scene. My previous tank used 250w MH retroed in a hood. __________________ 30 oceanic cube with custom sump 1x250w DE aquamedic pendant ER 5-2 Current Tank Info: 30 cube

12/03/2006, 08:08 PM	#2
caseymou Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: West side of Indianapolis Posts: 373	BTW, my livestock is in tubs now so I'm looking to make this purchase by Tuesday. I know it should cycle but the old tank teardown was somewhat of an emergency so I didn't have the time to plan it very well. A little more research shows that replacing the bulb in the sunpod is preferred. Also the ballast in the sunpod is internal which I see as convenient but probably not as rugged as an external magnetic ballast like the aquamedic pendant has. Also, will 150w of 14 or 20k light be bright enough in the 24" tall cube? BTW, the width is 20". __________________ 30 oceanic cube with custom sump 1x250w DE aquamedic pendant ER 5-2 Current Tank Info: 30 cube Last edited by caseymou; 12/03/2006 at 08:46 PM.

12/04/2006, 07:08 AM	#4
caseymou Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: West side of Indianapolis Posts: 373	AB 20K not a popular bulb then? 150w not enough? __________________ 30 oceanic cube with custom sump 1x250w DE aquamedic pendant ER 5-2 Current Tank Info: 30 cube

12/04/2006, 11:53 AM	#6
Chihuahua6 Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: West Hempstead, NY Posts: 2,124	The 20" Sunpod now comes in 250 watt. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...&N=2004+113352 I personally think the 150 watt would be sufficient for this application though. Here's another option if you want 250 watts with actinics in one compact unit. I ordered it last week with two 32 watt actinics and a 10000k Ushio bulb. I chose the Icecap ballast to run it so switching bulbs will never be a problem: http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewIt...product=PF2657 __________________ Leah Amanda Current Tank Info: First salt tank 1985, current tank 150 g acrylic

12/04/2006, 11:56 AM	#7
caseymou Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: West side of Indianapolis Posts: 373	I think I like the odyssea setup on ebay. The sunpod is just too expensive and none in stock anyways. Anyone with any exp using this fixture? __________________ 30 oceanic cube with custom sump 1x250w DE aquamedic pendant ER 5-2 Current Tank Info: 30 cube

12/04/2006, 03:10 AM	#3
zachluhrs Moved On Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Farmington, CT Posts: 232	The AquaMedic 250w DE pendant is probably your best bet. Either the Pheonix 14k bulb or the new 250w DE Ushio 14K bulb to go along with that setup. I've seen the new Ushio DE 14k bulb in action, sweet color. Not to blue or too white.

12/04/2006, 09:50 AM	#5
DragonFish Unregistered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Pleasant Prairie, WI Posts: 1,988	I have the 33 cube with the JBJ Viper 150W on it and it really could use more light. There are two nice 20" 250W HQI setups out right now, the less expensive version is an Odyssea model that can be found on ebay. They have been know to have problems but this new version has an electronic ballast and good cooling. The couple people I know who have it love it and the price is right at around $175 shipped. The second and probably ideal choice is the new Sunpod Pro 250w. No supplemental actinics but it does have nice integrated moonlights. I've seen it for sale at www.petwarehouse.com so far for a bit over $300.

12/04/2006, 02:14 PM	#8
caseymou Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: West side of Indianapolis Posts: 373	Thought I'd update again. Difficult to find information on the odyssea MH setups but I did find one thread in particular. What I found was just a little too many stories of catching on fire. Regardless of whether it was improper setup of the equipment or faulty ballasts that were replaced by electronics, I don't feel comfortable having something like that turned on when I'm not home. I'm going to get an aquamedic pendant (250w) with 14k phoenix bulb. __________________ 30 oceanic cube with custom sump 1x250w DE aquamedic pendant ER 5-2 Current Tank Info: 30 cube

12/04/2006, 03:23 PM	#9
NewSchool04 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Go Bears! Posts: 7,629	I use this over my 30 gallon w/ a 12K Reeflux bulb: http://www.reefgeek.com/products/cat...ng/104600.html __________________ 180 w/ Tek 8 bulb T5 fixture 2 6105 Tunze w/ 7095 controller Tunze Wave Box