Metal Halide light review.

[ShaunW]

Its been one week that I have had a new MH setup placed in the center of my tank (replaced a 175watt XM 20K bulb run by a coiled ballast) and all I can say is WOW!!!

It is:
1. Sun System Blue Wave III Remote Assembled HQI Ballast (Runs Double Ended Metal Halide Lamps)
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=SB-BW3-250&Category_Code=sunlightballast
2. Sunlight Reef Optix 3 Doulbe End 250 watt HQI Pendant
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=SL-OPTIX3&Category_Code=Sales
3. 20K 250W HQI DE - Aqualine Buske Halide Bulb
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=20K-250HQI-AB&Category_Code=mh-250w

The bulb burns a crisp white with just a hint of blue. But what is most astounding is that my SPS colors are radiant. I didn't think that I could squeeze any more color out of my SPS, boy was I wrong. Anyway I highly recommend this lighting combination!!!

 

[jackson6745]

Shaun I run the 20k AB's on the PFO HQI ballast and I love them. They really do bring out the color in the corals. Glad to see the new light is working out for you.

 

[ctxmonitor]

This is awesome if only I had the money.. Anyway, does anyone want to chip in for me so I can see the greatness that solbby and jackson see...

 

[LiquidBlues]

hey guys... i'm probably going to get 3 250W MH
i have the choice of choosing 10K ushio or the Aqualine 20k

i'm a big fan of the ushios

 

[LiquidBlues]

nm if you look at
http://www.cnidarianreef.com/ you see the difference

 

[ShaunW]

LiquidBlues, I now have 3 250W DE HQI MH (the new setup made it 3). On the left and right are 10K ushio bulbs (I like them alot) and in the center is the 20K. I really like the color combination. Not too white/yellow but neither too blue! It seems to be just right, for my eye

.

 

[jackson6745]

Liquidblues, keep in mind that JBNY's tests are on single ended bulbs. The size of your reef will also depend what bulb would be best for you. I have a small 65gal reef (for now) so the 20k's are bright enough to cover my whole reef and give me good growth with nice color.

In Shaun's case he runs 4xVHO's + 2x250 DE 10k's so he get plenty of par from the 10k's alone.

If you have a large reef (like a 180g) than the 250w 20ks will probably not be the best choice for you. They are not very bright and your growth will suffer. On a smaller tank like a 125 you can get away with it. I've always like the look of 10k's heavily supplemented with actinics. You still keep those crazy 20k colors while maintaing great growth.
Just take a look at the colors in this reef
the lighting is 2x250w DE 10k's + 4xVHO actinics
This is the lighting I will be using on my future 120

 

[Deanos]

Very impressive Rich!!

 

[samksy]

Damn nice looking tank!!!
Rich, how many months of salary do have to sacrifice to get such an awsome tank? Wow!!!

 

[jackson6745]

WOAHHHH thats not my tank.....Thats Jamie Cross's Tank of the month on reef central

[ February 08, 2005, 03:44 PM: Message edited by: jackson6745 ]

 

[samksy]

lolzzz.....it looks like your 65.

 

[jackson6745]

HAHA Sam..I wish

 

[ShaunW]

Boy do I wish it looked like my tank too!!!

Something to strive for!

[ February 08, 2005, 11:29 PM: Message edited by: solbby ]