sps lighting help

**SPSPhreak** · 10-06-2002 05:16 PM

Hey Guys,

I have a 75 gallon sps tank, and right now I am running 2 250 watt sakis, and I was thinking about adding a radium 400 watt to the middle. Does anyone think this will look good, or will it just be bluer in the middle and still yellow white on the outside? I am alternately thinking of changing out the 65ks and running 2 AB 10ks. I am wanting good growth combined with good coloration, and a good look to the tank. Thanks alot guys.

Scott

**dattack** · 10-07-2002 01:48 AM

I think it would be a good option to put in a 400 W radium.

Might want to have a reflector that combines all 3 light though (Parallel reflectors) so it can mix with the Iwasakis.

Your problem might be deciding on the ballast to run the Radium.

Maybe a M135 ballast might actually look better with the Iwasakis because it's actually more blue.

You can run a PFO or Eballast but it's a less blue.

**Reefland** · 10-08-2002 09:09 PM

What kind of supplemental actinic are you currently using with your Iwasaki's? It seems to me that the 20k Radium would make the center of the tank awefully blue, however I have never seen this combination before.

Scott Z.

**SPSPhreak** · 10-08-2002 09:19 PM

Scott,

I am thinking the smae thing, and I would hate to get it and not like it at all. I have 220 watts of actinic vhos, and I have thought of adding another 220. I have also thought of just putting in 10ks instead of the 65 ks, as some have told me that I would still get good sps coloration and growth with 10ks, ushios or AB. Right now I am getting great growth and coloration with the 65ks, and that makes it sooooo difficult for me to switch. That is why right now I am actually leaning toward adding 220 more watts of vho!! The lighting saga continues

Scott

**jeff967** · 10-08-2002 10:25 PM

i am running two 250 iwasakis, and four atcinic blue 48in. tubes on an icecap 660. nice looking to me.

**SPSPhreak** · 10-08-2002 11:15 PM

Do you have any pictures that represent the colors? I know that it is so hard to get pictures of lighting!

Scott

**Reefland** · 10-09-2002 12:15 AM

Is your tank currently "Yellow" in appearance? If so, the addition of 1 or 2 more actinic tubes could be very helpful in balancing the appearance for you. Maybe even consider another actinic and 1 50/50?

Just some thoughts,
Scott Z.

**jeff967** · 10-09-2002 12:32 AM

SPSPhreak,I would love to post a pic, but the puter won't do it right now. Hard drive messed up.

**mrok12** · 10-09-2002 08:21 AM

Thsi is a pic iof my favorite acropora under 2-400 watt radiums and 2-250 watt iwasakis in my 120

**SPSPhreak** · 10-09-2002 12:26 PM

That is really nice. I am getting ready to set up a 180, and when I do, I think I am gonna have 2 250 watt sakis and 3 radiums. I think what I am gonna do with the 75 is add 2 more vhos and see if I like that

Scott

**PerryinCA** · 10-09-2002 07:37 PM

Sounds like a great choice Scott! Radium + Eye = Best of both worlds.

-Perry

**SPSPhreak** · 10-09-2002 08:42 PM

Yeah, I think from that I should get good growth and good color.

Scott

***Papa Doug*** · 10-10-2002 08:38 AM

My new 225, {6ft.}, all sps, will have a 400w 65K or 55K over the center, flanked by a pair of 400w 20K bulbs.

I was thinking of running the center with a 12K Sunburst, {Marks bulb}

, but would like some whiter light thrown into the mix.

**eddie** · 10-15-2002 06:54 PM

personaly id sell/trade the 250s for another 400 Radium.Then add a third if you want more.

or get a 1000watt Radium ballast from Tridonic for the 20k Radium (only like $130)and a Light rail mover.(this would be my choice)

**PerryinCA** · 10-15-2002 08:03 PM

1000w radium on a mover would be a choice setup, but you'd need at least 3 ft of headroom. You wouldn't want to mount the 1000w system much closer than 14", and then many of the 1000w hoods are sooo large.

Great thing about a good 1000w system is that you can air cool the fixture with fresh air, and send the heated air outside.

I would start carrying the tridonic ballasts if there was more want for them, but hardly anyone uses 220, and step-up transformers for something with a high AMP rating can be cost prohibitive. Its often cheaper to go with the 400w systems.

FWIW, we have Blue Wave 430s for the overdriving "HQI" (god that term drives me nuts when applied to those 430 watt ballasts!) crowd.

Tata,

Perry

**eddie** · 10-15-2002 09:06 PM

I havent used a fan yet although I do have one for my 1000watt set up guess its about 14"or a little less

heres a pic of me in front of my new 180 lit by a 1000watt coralife wich will be replaced by the 1000watt HQI I have after the tank matures some its only about a month

the color isnt anywere close to blue as it is in real life or the clearest cause I have a real cheap camera

**eddie** · 10-15-2002 09:10 PM

heres a more clear one of me and my 4 month old baby girl Kaylie

**eddie** · 10-15-2002 09:12 PM

the reflecton on the wall shows the color a little better but still not as blue as real life

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