Please critique my lighting plans

[Skripo]

Hello all,

I was wondering if someone can comment on my lighting plan.

I have a 180 gallon in wall in which I plan to keep SPS and clams. I want absolutely no lighting limitations.

To this end I have purchased 4 400 watt advance transformer ballasts and plan to add 4 400w bulbs 20K, either radiums or the ones on sale at hello lights for 69.00.

The reflectors are parabolic and the ballasts will be remote mounted.

1) Is this over kill?

2) Should I only install 3 400 watters?

3) What is the proper orientation of the bulb/reflector housing vis a vis the top of the tank?

4) Do I need a glass UV filter even if the bulbs already have one?

5) Shoul dI add other spectrums or is the 20K a "do it all" bulb?

6) Where can I get a neat extruded aluminum enclosure for these ballasts?

7) Any other suggestion or comments?

Thanks!

[Reefland]

Hi Skripo,

I think you would be better using 2 10k 400watters and 2 20k which should give you the best of both worlds. The perception is that the 20k radiums provide better color for the corals but the 10k's provide better growth, so I would mix the 2.

Regards,
Scott Z.

[kevinpo]

I would also go with a mix especially if you are not going to use HQI ballasts. The Radiums are rather dim when driven by regular ballasts.

Regards,
Kevin

[Skripo]

Thanks for the feedback!!!

I would still like to know if this is over kill and how to install the reflector.

And I decided to go with XM 20K not radium. Is this a better idea with my m59 advance ballast?

Thanks guys!!!

[Elmo18]

Thanks for the feedback!!!

I would still like to know if this is over kill and how to install the reflector.

And I decided to go with XM 20K not radium. Is this a better idea with my m59 advance ballast?

Thanks guys!!!

Well i have XM 20ks on M58 ballasts for 250 watters. If m59 is for 400 watt, should be fine

- Elmo

[Poseidon]

guess it depends on the reflectors you have... My tank is in the wall so aestecics didn't matter I used shelf brackets and aluminum from Lowes to hold it above my tank KISS (keep it simple stupid)

here is a picture from the backside of my tank... The reflectors are attached to the Aluminum using stainless steel self taping screws...

http://www.reefland.com/gallery/show...cat=500&page=1

[Skripo]

I decided to scrap the 400 watt deal because I have been shown that a 250 watt dual end bulb actually puts out more par than a 400 watt mogul. Plus I get to save alot of power. I have also decided to go for electronic ballasts.

Thanks!

[Skripo]

Forget about the above. I am an idiot. The lesson is always insist on the original source. I am sticking with the original plan. The only thing I need to find is Diamond Light Luminarc III. Anybody know where I can get only the reflector?

[Poseidon]

Not that particular one, but alot of us use this one....

http://oceanencounter.com/Merchant2/...egory_Code=RSC