Going old school - HQI (MH) for SPS tank - need recommendations

david1980 · Jul 21, 2016

Hi guys

I've generally just been reading along, but since I'm getting a new (used) tank and been reading up on HQI lighting, I have a couple of questions and statements:

Statement: based on what I've been reading here and google, HQI are still number one when it comes to growing SPS (apart from water parameters etc.)

Known facts: yes, I know it will affect my electricity bill and generate heat.

Tank facts: 8ft long, 1.5ft wide and 2ft high (about 200g with sump)

So my questions to HQI:
1. are Radiums still the best (I dont like my tank super blue)
2. what ballast is recommended today?
3. given the rather narrow tank, I want to of course avoid light spilling over, so which fixture is recommended?
4. Wattage? It's going to be mainly SPS and depending on the LR build, maybe some softies in shady areas. Would 150w suffice or better 250w?

Oh and yes, I am planning to add some t5 as well to even out the light. Other bio load will include some fish, nothing too big though given the gallon amount.

So let me know what you guys think!

Cheers
David

trmiv · Jul 21, 2016

Radiums are great, and probably the best bulb, but there are other good ones. I'm switching to 20K hamiltons on my new tank. A little cheaper for me and look similar. Most would tell you to use a magnetic M80 ballast if you're going radium, but honestly I prefer to use an adjustable electronic. I think the radiums look fine on the HQI setting of electronic ballasts, and it gives me the option to run a regular 250w bulb on the 250w setting.

If you're going just halides with an open top, the Hamilton Cayman sun pendants are great pendants. I'd stick with the 250's.

Another option if you're not running a canopy would be something like two 36" or two 48" Hamilton Cebu Sun hybrid halide/t5 fixtures. Or if you're made of money you can go with the Geissman fixtures which are really nice.

david1980 · Jul 21, 2016

Hi
Thanks for your reply. I'll have an open top. I was actually looking at the Hamiltons (both the Cebu and the Cayman). My concern with the Giessemans is that they have a built in ballast and from what I read, if I go with the Radiums, I'd need a specific ballast. I've also heard that Ushio bulbs are really good.

BR
David

FL_Reefer · Jul 21, 2016

I run the cebu and love it, I would go any lower than a 250w. I also run a 20k reefbright bulb

david1980 · Jul 21, 2016

On an 8ft tank I'd probably need two of the Cebus or 3 of the Cayman. Can you guys show me pics of your set-up? Can you confirm the growth and general well-being of SPS corals under HQIs?

greg 45 · Jul 21, 2016

On my 8 foot long 4 foot wide 16 inches water depth. I am using Reef Brite 400 watt with 2 blue and 2 white led . They are on a light rail system going back and forth.

ReefBum · Jul 21, 2016

david1980 said:
Hi
Thanks for your reply. I'll have an open top. I was actually looking at the Hamiltons (both the Cebu and the Cayman). My concern with the Giessemans is that they have a built in ballast and from what I read, if I go with the Radiums, I'd need a specific ballast. I've also heard that Ushio bulbs are really good.

BR
David

With the Giesemann Spectra fixture you can essentially use any ballast, including an adjustable electronic switchable ballast (what I use). They are not built in to the fixture, they are external. I run 400w Radiums on the Super Lumens setting which is about as close as you can get to running the bulbs on a M80 HQI ballast.

david1980 · Jul 22, 2016

Thanks for your guys' replies. How many fixtures would I need to light an 8ft tank? I'd prefer to have a couple smaller ones than one large one.

What about something like this: http://www.ebay.de/itm/Aquariumlamp...890569?hash=item1c6a52b949:g:6sAAAOSwezVWyB2E

with different ballasts?

I assume the wattage doesnt have anything to do with the fixture but with the ballast thats then attached?

Bpb · Jul 23, 2016

24" high tank 250 watt bulbs will be ideal. Do you have a canopy to put your lights in? If so I would personally get 3x250 watt singular pendants like the ones you linked, but I would do 2x2bulb t5ho retrofit kits to flank them front and back. If you don't have a canopy and need an all in one type fixture, you could do two of the 36" Hamilton Cebu sun units which would fit the bill

david1980 · Jul 23, 2016

Ok, thanks. So either 2 of these: http://hamiltontechnology.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=17_74_76&product_id=59 or 3 of these and then just get better ballasts to run radiums:
https://www.ricardo.ch/kaufen/tierz...-meerwasserbeleuchtung-spectra/v/an815980466/ ?

EDIT: as you may be able to tell I'm not in the US so would have trouble getting the Cebu Suns. Although I love the look and reviews. The ballasts I may be able to import quite easily. Not going to have a canopy (heat)

Bpb · Jul 23, 2016

Oh definitely get the giesemann then. Three of those would be awesome on a tank that size.

david1980 · Jul 23, 2016

Cool, will do.

gcarroll · Jul 23, 2016

Personally, with a tank as narrow as yours, I wouldn't even consider recommending MH. I would be running T5, LED, or both. With MH, you are going to be wasting approximately 40% of the output due to spillover.

david1980 · Jul 23, 2016

Thanks, but wouldnt that depend on how high I hang them?

Bpb · Jul 23, 2016

If it's wider than the tank it'll spill over even if you set it directly on the rim

david1980 · Jul 23, 2016

according to the specs, the spectra is 17" wide, so should be ok, right?

Bpb · Jul 23, 2016

Oh I'm sorry. Got your thread mixed up. Yeah there will be a good amount of spill over without a canopy. 17" wide on an 18" wide tank.

david1980 · Jul 23, 2016

Well I guess I will see. I can always build a canopy... or maybe I'll like the look...

Bpb · Jul 23, 2016

You certainly wouldn't have front to back coverage issues. If you're somewhat handy you can put them in a floating canopy that is open on top and bottom to shield a lot of the light spill and still have plenty of air flow