MH Lighting opinion...

[ChrisIsBored]

I've got my heart set on using 65k Iwasaki's. I'll also be supplementing with VHO's but the point i'm stuck at right now is the ballast and Wattage.

My tank is a 200G Oceanic RR. I don't particularly plan to keep SPS but who knows in the future. I will try my hand at a few towards the top of the tank.

My thoughts on my MH confirguration are as follows...

4x250W all 4 on most of the day..

or

2x250W on for most of the day
2x400W on for 7-9 hours of the day

Which would suit me better? I'm also planning on using spider reflectors.

Now the 2nd question. Which ballast? Upfront cost isn't much of a problem. If I can save a significant $ amount on monthly energy bills that would make me happy. My only doubts about the blueline e-ballast is the interference caused by it... I'm still undecided though... maybe PFO? I'm... so... undecided... Your opinions are welcomed!!!

[golfish]

Hi Chris,
Jeff's Exotic fish has a 300 gal tank with 4x250 watt Iwasaki's and VHO's. Its a real nice setup and he keeps just about anything he wants in there. I think you'll be fine with 4x250 watt Iwasaki's

I'm not a fan of e ballast's of any kind........I would stick with a PFO standard ballast....JMO

Mark

[ChrisIsBored]

What's the depth of that tank? Mine happens to be 24" deep.

[thezookeeper]

I would say that 4-250 watt's should be more than fine IMO. I agree totally with golfish.


Joanne

[PerryinCA]

Hey Chris ~ I am a fan of more power. But, if you are going to be using the Iwasaki's, the 250w seem to be less yellow, and are great lights. I personally like the color of the iwasaki, but also like the 10k. Great tanks can obviously be had with both. In your case, I am sure that the 250 will suit you. Just be wary of putting light demanding coral, or clams in the lower half of the tank. I've kept Crocea and Max. under 250w EYE lamps with great results.

I think you are choosing the best in terms of reflector. As for ballast, if up front cost isn't a big deal, I would recommend the Icecap. I love them and have had no problems with them. In my experience they can run every type of lamp without retuning and without flicker*. But thats just my experience. I really want to try out the LN ballasts and take some PAR readings of the two for comparison....but won't be doing it for quite sometime...

If you are not into Icecap, go with the PFO. Bulletproof stuff at a good price. Main downsides are that it may not be as effiecient, they can't run the 20k or HQI lamps (which seem to be picking up popularity), and they are pretty bulky. Heat is also there.....

Realyy there are many good options that will work just fine. Choosing is part of the fun eh? Everyone has thier own preferences from thier experiences.

Just my 2 cents.

-Perry

*I have found that with some lamps during the "burn in", there is a slight light 'throb' or spectral shift, not a flicker which is generally characterized by an audible arching within the lamp. This is stopped after a couple weeks with each lamp I experienced it with (HQI, and 10k Ushio....both run on the Iwasaki 'tuned' ballast).