Metal Halide Users....

[E.intheC]

I?m going to be starting an SPS dominate Elos Midi (dimensions are aprx 22x20x19h). For this tank I?m strongly considering Metal Halide with LED supplements (Royal Blue) for color pop and somewhat better dawn ? to ? dusk simulation.

I haven?t used MH lighting in a while ? what are people still using? I would imagine a PFO or Ice Cap reflector would be sufficient, but I?m also considering a Lumenbright Mini with a 20KK Radium. I'll probably use 250 watt bulbs if I get the 20KK spectrum, and 150 watt DE bulbs with 14KK.

Thoughts? What does everyone use?

 

[Jaftica]

I use lumenbrite mini reflectors with 250watt 20k radiums, it's awesome, I'm also using an m80 ballast to fire the bulbs, the colors of the corals look amazing, and with that reflector you can hang them high up so heat really shouldn't be a problem, my bulbs are around 17" awl.

 

[Geraud]

Radium 20000K all the way. (on the proper ballast to make sure it is cold white with a tint of blue, and not all blue!)

On my nano (18" cube) I am using a 150W with Coralvue electronic ballast (the new version of the bulb requires that rather than an M80) in an Hamilton pendant. I have added DIY LED's for supplementation: 4 Cree RoyalBlue and 2 "TrueViolet 405nm" on each side. Loving the pop and everything grows fast.

 

[jackson6745]

Going to be hard to top the look and spread of a 250w 20k radium, however, a 150w de 14k phoenix does look very nice. I've always like SE MH's better for bulb selection, spread, and ease of use (I've broken my share of DE bulbs trying to remove them)

 

[E.intheC]

Thanks fellas. I'm leaning toward a Lumenbright Mini with a 250 watt Radium. I used that bulb a while back and liked it.

I do need to consider light-spill, though. Maybe a floating canopy will help.

 

[strgazr27]

20K Ushio on a Coralife ballast w a Lumenbrite reflector. IMO there
Is not a better reflector for MH's. Razor sharp crispness but does lack enough blue for me, even w 2 12" actinic strips. Will likely drop to 14K At next bulb change. Growth is amazing though I will say...

 

[viplok]

:splitspin this guy is never happy with tank =D

 

[E.intheC]

I'm looking at a DE LumenBrite... What else is out there in the 14KK - 20KK spectrum (toward the blue side) that still has good PAR values?

If I don't go with the lumenbrite, I'm also considering a Geissemann MH/T5 combo fixture.

 

[prattreef]

My favorite lamp was always the Ushio 14k, but it is not blue at all. If you want a bluer look the Phoenix 14k is very nice with good specs and a small price tag. I don't think the DE Radiums are as good as the SE ones even on the right ballast.

 

[E.intheC]

How high should a Lumen Brite Mini w/250 watt bulb be hung over the Midi (SPS/clam tank)? I'm concerned with light spill and PAR values.

 

[jackson6745]

You're going to have enough coverage for a much larger tank It's going to be bright! I can't see you avoiding light spill and you don't want to boil the tank either. I would say 10" off would be good.

 

[E.intheC]

Thanks Rich. I might have to look at another reflector. Something smaller overall, so that the light spill won't be too bad.

 

[prattreef]

I think I'd seriously consider 150/175w options instead of 250W. for that size tank.

 

[E.intheC]

I'm not ruling that out either. 150 watt MH and 2-4 T5 bulbs would work well also.

 

[TUSI]

I upgraded to 400 watt radiums still have my aqua medic double ended bulb 150 watts with ballast worked good but needed more wattage if u r interested let me know also have one 250 also same brand. They are very compact

 

[ReefMonkey13]

Eric . . I had the Lumenbrite Mini pendant reflectors are while back. You would need to hang the pendant 14-16" above the water line other wise you will cook your corals. It will also have a wide light spread so you will have a lot of light spill.

Considering the size of the tank it may be best to consider another reflector or pendant.

 

[E.intheC]

Yeah, I'm leaning toward a 150 watt fixture now. I would like a T5/MH combo but they're much more difficult to find.

 

[jaa1456]

I'm running 2x 150 over a 120 with 4 T5's. I think one 150 for your tank will be plenty. I'm running phoenix 14k bulbs for the MH and 3 ATI blue with 1 ATI aqua blue special.

 

[petraio]

I have an aquamedic 250 watts de pendant over my 24 gallon cube replaced the m80 ballast with select watts eletronic ballast just because had m 80 ballast for years and do not like the way that ballast over-drives the bulbs and make difficult to get a white-blue hue in any bulb!! you get from ushio, aquamedic, Xm, Phoinex, Hamilton, tried all those !!