Lighting question for 90g

[scarf_ace1981]

i'm in the process of setting up a 90g tank and need some help. currently i have both a SE 400w set up and a DE 250w set up, both on PFO ballasts. if i were to place these over my 90g, i'm pretty sure i could never get the two sides to look the same no matter how many bulbs combinations i try. thing is i can't decide whether i should make it two-DE 250s or two-SE 400w. there are certain things i like about both set ups. on the DE i'm using a very old bulb that came w/ the fixture(don't even know the K) and on the 400w SE i'm using a 15k XM(which i really like). since i don't know the potential of a DE, i can't really decide. are the DE brighter?

 

[ezee]

scarf_ace,

If the it is a standard 90 I would definitely go with the 250 DEs. There are lots of advantages. You prob don't need the 400 over the 90 and the 250's will save you a lot on elec bills. DE are smaller and you will definitely appreciate the room.

E

 

[scarf_ace1981]

thanks eugene. i thought about 2- 400w. that's is quite the electric bill. 2-DE 250w sounds like the better option. should i still go w/ the 15k xm as the bulb? i'll look through the mh thread and see what bulb is most used.

 

[ezee]

Scarf_ace,

No problem. I would not use the XM 15ks. The par on them is very low. If you really want an xm white/blue bulb go for the 20Ks. Alternatively (preferably), you can check out some of the other 14K DE bulbs. Hamilton and Phoenix make some nice bulbs.

E

 

[bad coffee]

Go with the phoenix. LOTS of par for a 14kk bulb.

B

 

[House of Laughter]

Go with the phoenix. LOTS of par for a 14kk bulb.

B

Did I mention that I HAVE NO ACTINICS?

Great bulb for the price and rating - my sps are loving it.

House

 

[scarf_ace1981]

14k phoenix. seems to be the choice of the pros. i will try it.

 

[House of Laughter]

Jon,

Others are liking the reflux too, but you HAVE to run actinics on them - they are super white.

House

 

[qy7400]

Interesting no one has mentioned T5 yet. From what I've been reading a 4x54W setup over-driven with an Icecap ballast and SLR is putting more PAR at the sandbed than 250s. I just ordered this setup from diyreef for a frag tank and to compare it next to the ReefLux 14K 250s I'm currently using.