Best mh ballast and pendant for a 93 cube

[Lonelyreef]

I have been looking into getting a light for my new 93 cube. The dimensions are 30x30x24 I don't have much exp in mh lighting but I am deffinetely thinking about it. So my question is whats gunna get me a good par reading so I can keep clams at the bottom of the tank with no worries. Is 250 enuff or do I need 400 and then I'm thinking what about a dimmable ballast and what pendant is gunna work well for my application. Money is not the object here I simply want the best mh fixture to get down to the bottom of the tank and give me good growth. I appreciate everyone's ideas.

 

[Reefing Madness]

IceCap HQI 250 and 400 watt metal halide DE pendant. Saltwater aquarium supplies & equipment from Salty Critter.
400watt- Using Phoenix 14k

RB-HPD250 Premium Aquatics - RB-HPD250 Aquarium Supplies

 

[Lonelyreef]

So your thinking that a 250 wouldnt be enuff

 

[mic209]

Look into the lumenbrite pendants,one will cover your entire tank. 250w would be enough, a 400w would be better if you can handle the extra heat it will put out. Another good setup would be the reefbrite hybrid, has MH with LED actinics.

 

[Lonelyreef]

My tanks are in the basement the heat would be welcome in this case actually

 

[Reefing Madness]

At the depth, I'd stick with 400w, that way you can't go wrong. No heat issues if you run a fan over the water, or run it high enough off the water.

 

[Lonelyreef]

With a dimmable ballast can i dim the 400 down if its overkill

 

[Reefing Madness]

Yup.

 

[Lonelyreef]

Nice. I have an 8 bulb dimmable t5 right now and wile I do love it. I don't like the bulb replacement costs especially if I went with another 8 bulb fixture. So I'm thinking of going with mh. I really like the idea of the reefbrite hybrid. The ballast is not included though whats a good dimmable ballast .

 

[Reefing Madness]

If you don't like the costs of T5 replacements, your not going to like the replacement cost of a good MH Bulb.
Lumatek 400 Watt Ballast 120/240 Volt
CoralVue
Hamilton Metal Halide 400W Adjustable Electronic Ballast - Assembled - Bulk Reef Supply

 

[Lonelyreef]

Mh bulbs are like 80$ once a year and an 8 bulb is 160$ a year unless mh bulbs are way more than I thought

 

[Reefing Madness]

$160?!!! Holy Cow.....Must have been top of the line lamps

 

[Lonelyreef]

Well ati bulbs are 20 dollars eqch and i need 8 so do the math lol. I figure a mh bulb is way cheaper. Plus easier to acclimate my corals from my frag tank that use the ati fixture

 

[mic209]

Here's a video I found on the reefbrite hybrid over a 93 cube. If I ever get a 93 cube, this will be the light I'll run.

93g Cube Reef Tank with ReefBrite Halide Hybrid & 250w Twin-Arc Metal Halide Bulb UPDATED 7/25/12 - YouTube