What to do

[stang69]

Looks like I have my tank sold so Im open to suggestions on lighting. Should I go with 2 IC 175's or should I go with the Dual PFO pulse start ballast for the 150 de's.

It will be a 60x18x24 tank .

Thanks
Jeff

[jwall1]

Hi Jeff,
If you use the DE blubs I would go with an HQI ballast not a pulse start ballast. I have a dual 150 watt HQI with 10000k blubs on my 65 gallon tank and I like it. Sorry I dont have any pictures. They are Sunlight supply reflectors and dual ballast.

Hope this helps
Joe W.

Looks like I have my tank sold so Im open to suggestions on lighting. Should I go with 2 IC 175's or should I go with the Dual PFO pulse start ballast for the 150 de's.

It will be a 60x18x24 tank .

Thanks
Jeff

[Poseidon]

I really like the AB 250W on the HQI ballasts from Icecap....

I have some pix posted in Reef Discussion!!!

Mike

[stang69]

Im not to crazy bout 250's I had them b4 and ended up with a heat issue. Do the DE's run as hot as normal mogule bulbs? Could I step up to the next size in DE's without the heat?



Jeff

[jwall1]

Jeff,
Before we start making suggestions as to lighting options I think a little more details will need to be given.
1) what types of corals are you planning to keep
2) what clams will you be keeping
The reason I am asking these questions is your tank is 60" long two bulbs is the starting point for a 48 inch tank e.g L = 24"x W =24" per MH bulb.
If you are looking for total coverage you may want to use 3 MH bulbs.
As far as wattage, the corals that you want to keep will determine the wattage you will need and also where the placement of the corals will be in the tank.

The main difference between mogul bulbs and DE bulbs is the mogul has UV protective cover where as the DE do not. You NEED a piece of glass in your reflector if you go with the DE bulbs to protect your eyes and the corals you will be keeping from UV. I have not seen any heat difference with either mogul vs. DE 150 watts of heat is 150 watts as will as 175 watts, 250 watts, 400 watt.

Hope this helps and gives you some things to think about before you spend money on MH

Joe W.

Im not to crazy bout 250's I had them b4 and ended up with a heat issue. Do the DE's run as hot as normal mogule bulbs? Could I step up to the next size in DE's without the heat?



Jeff

[stang69]

I have dual 175's now on the tank I currently have and it is the same size as I am moving too. Tank just has a different design to it. It will be mostly sps and maybe a cpl clams. Only time will tell for sure.


Jeff

[zhenya]

I have dual 175's now on the tank I currently have and it is the same size as I am moving too. Tank just has a different design to it. It will be mostly sps and maybe a cpl clams. Only time will tell for sure.


Jeff

Hi Jeff,
I think I have the same tank as you do(the new one),it's a 110g Oceanic(in my case). I've had all sorts of lights on it,from PC's to 175 and now 250W MH mogul base Ushios. I firmly believe that I've made a mistake in not springing for the either AB fixture or the Guisemann(sp?) with 250 DE HQI bulbs. I've seen them in action over my friends tank and it is much brighter over my 250 Ushios,to my eye anyway. I'm not sure if there is much difference in intensity in the 250w bulbs but there is a big one in the 400 watters according to Sanjays study. Reflecting back on it, I've spend twice as much money in upgrading bulbs and ballast as I would've just coughing up the 900 or so for AB fixture in the first place.
Oh, I did not noticed any difference in temp. between 175 or the 250 watters(mogul),FWIW.Also, I believe that those fixtures come with the protective lenses over the dE bulbs,I think I just talked myself into buying one