93G cube MH/T5 Combo help

[rpolino]

Right now I have 2 AI Hydra 52's with a director above my tank and they work decent but 5 years ago before I got into LED fixtures I had better colors and growth MH and I would like to go back.
It s been so long I really don't remember much about MH so please help steer me into the right direction with parts needed.

I really like the 24' Giesemann Spectra but that is pricey unless I find one used.
Are there any other combo fixtures you would recommend?
I want to rune a 20k Radium bulb. Please let me know what ballast I would need also what t5 bulbs you would recommend?
How many watts would be recommend 30 x 30 x 24 tank?


Thanks

 

[cpllongjk]

For that size tank I would go with a single 250 possibly a 400w. The good thing about the 400w is I believe they want to be underdriven slightly at 360w. Which means most current ballasts will run them, I think... don't quote me on this.

The 250 will need a M80 ballast which you can buy from Hamilton. The 250w bulbs are driven to spec at 270w. Many people think they are overdriven but they aren't. They are actually run to spec at 270w. When you look at the difference which is 90w its almost better to run just 1 400w bulb.

Think about it this way. For sufficient coverage with t5s you will need minimum 24w x 8 bulbs. Thats roughly 192w. In the end, don't worry so much about electrical cost because your main concern should be coral health and color. Replacing 1 radium may cost 80 dollar per year but 8 bulbs will cost you 160 dollars per year to replace. Over time between bulb cost and electricity they price will even out IMO.

I too love the Geisemann Spectra fixture. I got a really good deal when I found a Reefbrite Hybrid on the forums here with ballast and bulb. The spectra will offer you so many bulb choices since you can run 4 t5s for dusk dawn and then the MH for midday. The reefbrite hybrid will do the same, sort of, but you cannot choose the color of your dusk dawn like you can with t5s. The leds on the reefbrite will give you the coral POP but t5s can change your radium's color completely if you choose. Theres ying and yangs but honestly IMO get a 250w or 400w MH and call it a day.

 

[jackson6745]

I would run a 400w radium on that fixture with an 'HQI' 400w setting. Take a look at my tank thread. You'll see the same lighting system on a 32x32x26 cube. I also added 2 blue reefbrites. 2 hydras can't compare to this lighting in the least bit.

 

[Goldenvue]

I have the same cube and have been debating changing but can't justify the cost in bulbs/electricity per year. Running a radion over it now w great color on my anemones. I have ballest and reflector just in case, I was not sure on bulb. Courious in what u decide.

 

[Akida17th]

I ran the Marineland 93 cube with a Giesemann Infiniti 250w DE MH/T5 combo and it was BY FAR my favorite lighting I've ever ran. I finally was able to keep SPS with great growth and color using a Phoenic 14k bulb, my favorite although the Giesemann bulbs had a higher par. The only issue is it's a rimless tank so you'll have light spillage, alot more then LED's that's for sure. Here is a pic of my 93 with the Giesemann running the Giesemann 12k bulb.

 

[Akida17th]

By the way. anything over 250w, especially a 250w DE as they are brighter and pack a high par than mogul fixtures, is a waste of energy in my opinion especially for a tank that is only 24" deep. Now if you had a tank that is over 30" deep I'd say go 400w. I suggest going with a double ended fixture for this tank as it fits the dimensions better. Hope this helps

 

[jackson6745]

Same fixture with 400w radium being run by lumatek ballast (400 sl setting) with 2 blue led reef brites, You get light spill because halide actually spreads, unlike LED.

DSC_0009 by rich colombo, on Flickr

 

[Goldenvue]

Great looking tanks guys!

 

[rpolino]

Great information this is helping a ton. 2 quick questions what is "HQI"? Also big difference between single end and double end?

 

[jackson6745]

Great information this is helping a ton. 2 quick questions what is "HQI"? Also big difference between single end and double end?

To tell you the truth I'm not exactly sure. It was always associated with DE halides back in the day. I use it as a term to describe when a halide is overdriven, not sure if this is correct , but people seem to know what I mean.

I'm not a DE halide fan. The spread is much better on a SE halide, bulb selection better, and SE bulbs don't have brittle ceramic ends to handle (which have broke on me often through the years).

 

[Tegridy Reef]

U won't regret the switch I had the hydras and went to t5 and halide wow they don't even look like the same corals so happy with the results

 

[duncangweller]

I'm thinking of doing exactly the same thing with my 93 cube as you guys. I'm not a fan of LED and was considering going back to t5 or maybe trying metal halide.

Following along for advice.

Dunc

 

[coldcheese]

Would t5 not be sufficient enough like a ati hybrid or just start t5

 

[rpolino]

I've decided to go with a 24" Cebu sun with a 20k radium m80 ballast and 4 t5 ho bulbs. I talked to the guy at Hamilton and he let me know they ship out these light with 4-460 actinic bulbs, but let me know I can request any color configuration. I know NOTHING about t5 bulbs please recommend if I should just get the 4-460 bulbs or customize it. Thank you

 

[choss]

Jackson (or others),

I'm glad you mentioned the light spill. I'm looking into a new custom tank build. I'd really like to run a single halide (for heat reasons) and T5 combo so the Spectra has been on my list. The tank dimensions are not yet set in stone - it will be 24" wide, and probably 20" high. On the length I will go either 42 or 44 inches. Do you think a single Spectra hanging say 11" above the water would do a decent job on a tank that length? I have seen the light over a 36" cube and it looks great so I feel confident it would be fine for the bulk of the tank. I may supplement the light with two kessils if needed.

Thoughts?