Thinking about halides.

reefndude · Oct 25, 2017

T5 user now for 5+ years. Very happy with it. Only reason I am even considering a switch is because current fixture doesn't fit new tank. Goal is to stay relatively close to the look I have now.
After some research and seeing some recent post here I feel comfortable with the decision.
Current bulb combo is 4b+ 2c+ and two blue bars.
Thinking of going with this combo
Two lumen bright se reflector
Variable watt electronic ballast along with 20k radiums. Not sure of 250w or 400w. Two led bars and at least one t5 tube so not to have a blue tank while halides are off.
Tank is a 5'x3'x27"
Planning for a sps dominant tank

A. grandis · Oct 26, 2017

I'm happy for you!
Grandis.

andrew james · Oct 26, 2017

Do it, you'll love them. And if you're concerned about heat all you need is a fan blowing across the waters surface. I live in GA and run halides and keep my tank around 78.5 degrees. I have a fan on a shelf next to my tank hooked up to my Apex. It only turns on if the water hits 79.0. This has worked like a charm for a long time and temps are very stable.

Elegance Coral · Oct 26, 2017

I'm a big MH fan, especially for SPS, but they will give you a different look than what you have now. T5's give you a pretty much even color and intensity throughout the tank, with no shimmer. MH's will give you a hot spot directly under the bulb, less intense light off to the sides, and lots of shimmer. Those are VERY good reflectors that spread the light well, but it will still be different than what you're used to.

reefndude · Oct 26, 2017

Should I go 250w or 400w?

Elegance Coral · Oct 26, 2017

On that tank, I would go 400w, and lift them a good distance from the surface. This will give you a more even light across the tank, closer to what you're used to. I ran the 200 gallon version of that tank, 48x36x27, and ran two 400W radiums in basically the same reflectors. No other light though. It worked very well. You're trying to cover a large area for 250w bulbs, IMHO.

reefndude · Oct 26, 2017

Thanks for the advice

jda · Oct 26, 2017

If you have to spread 3' front-to-back then I would go 400s and raise those LB's up a bit more. 20K Radium is a great bulb - have no second thoughts about these.

You might need a T5 in front and back to help with the corners and in the middles, but you might not. I don't use T5s over my MH lit reefs since they are not necessary and I can save some money (and I have no need for dusk/dawn), however, I do not spread as much as you are going to. You could also just plan your rock/reef under the lights, which most folks with huge tanks have to do.

If you go with the 250w, skip the electronic and get M80 - this is what the 250W bulb is made for. If you go 400W, then the electronic is fine.

A. grandis · Oct 26, 2017

jda said:
If you have to spread 3' front-to-back then I would go 400s and raise those LB's up a bit more. 20K Radium is a great bulb - have no second thoughts about these.

You might need a T5 in front and back to help with the corners and in the middles, but you might not. I don't use T5s over my MH lit reefs since they are not necessary and I can save some money (and I have no need for dusk/dawn), however, I do not spread as much as you are going to. You could also just plan your rock/reef under the lights, which most folks with huge tanks have to do.

If you go with the 250w, skip the electronic and get M80 - this is what the 250W bulb is made for. If you go 400W, then the electronic is fine.

This is what I need to learn. I've heard many say to go M80 for the 250W and electronic for 400W.
I still don't fully understand. Could you please explain?
Please also tell me what is exactly M80 ballast. Are they magnetic, or do we have M80 magnetic and electronic.
I'm so confused in this regard.
Forgive my ignorance.
Grandis.

alton · Oct 26, 2017

On my Marineland 300DD 72" x 36" x 27" I ran 3 x 250w Radiums on Electronic ballast set at 250+. Lamps lasted 18 months on average and I used Coral Vue Lumen Bright Pendants. PAR levels on the sand where around 200. I added two BML strips so I did not have to run the MH as long during the summer months.

jda · Oct 26, 2017

Magnetic MH ballasts are made to an ANSI standard. Every magnetic ballast should have one, except for chinese knockoff stuff. M80 is 250W HQI and M81 is 150W HQI ANSI standards. Each powers bulbs differently and with different wattage. 250W Electronic and 250w Magnetic M58 will drive a 250W Radium differently than a M80 and the color/performance will be different... usually bluer.

Some electronic ballasts have HQI settings and while this does power the Radium 20K a bit more, they still do not look the same. For optimum performance and results, drive the bulbs to spec.

alton · Oct 26, 2017

This is what the 300DD

looked like with strips on MH off

A. grandis · Oct 26, 2017

alton said:
On my Marineland 300DD 72" x 36" x 27" I ran 3 x 250w Radiums on Electronic ballast set at 250+. Lamps lasted 18 months on average and I used Coral Vue Lumen Bright Pendants. PAR levels on the sand where around 200. I added two BML strips so I did not have to run the MH as long during the summer months.

Does that fan brings the temperature down for all 3 halides? ;Wideyed
Nice!!!!!
Grandis.

reefndude · Oct 26, 2017

alton said:
On my Marineland 300DD 72" x 36" x 27" I ran 3 x 250w Radiums on Electronic ballast set at 250+. Lamps lasted 18 months on average and I used Coral Vue Lumen Bright Pendants. PAR levels on the sand where around 200. I added two BML strips so I did not have to run the MH as long during the summer months.

Tank looks great.That's the look I'm going for

reefndude · Oct 26, 2017

alton said:
This is what the 300DD

looked like with strips on MH off

How high are mh above water line?
10-12" is my guess

Roy 9121 · Oct 26, 2017

reefndude said:
Should I go 250w or 400w?

I would think you would need three 250 watt.

reefndude · Oct 26, 2017

Roy 9121 said:
I would think you would need three 250 watt.

I was thinking that may be a possibility. I also have a center brace that would block alot of light in the center

Bouncingsoul39 · Oct 26, 2017

reefndude said:
T5 user now for 5+ years. Very happy with it. Only reason I am even considering a switch is because current fixture doesn't fit new tank. Goal is to stay relatively close to the look I have now.
After some research and seeing some recent post here I feel comfortable with the decision.
Current bulb combo is 4b+ 2c+ and two blue bars.
Thinking of going with this combo
Two lumen bright se reflector
Variable watt electronic ballast along with 20k radiums. Not sure of 250w or 400w. Two led bars and at least one t5 tube so not to have a blue tank while halides are off.
Tank is a 5'x3'x27"
Planning for a sps dominant tank

How can you afford a reef tank at such a young age? Man, when I was your age I was still playing with GI Joe's and got $5 a week allowance. Kids these days...Probably have an Iphone 8 too, amiright?

reefndude · Oct 26, 2017

Bouncingsoul39 said:
How can you afford a reef tank at such a young age? Man, when I was your age I was still playing with GI Joe's and got $5 a week allowance. Kids these days...Probably have an Iphone 8 too, amiright?

Im so good I have an iphone 9