What Halide combo do you run over your SPS Tank?

jeremy · Jun 29, 2015

Opinions needed. I have a 120 gallon display all sps. I have Galaxy select a watt ballasts. Also ice cap 660 ballast and vho end caps. I currently run t5 but like the look of halides so I am gonna switch over soon.
Looking for bulb combos. Do you run Radium or other bulbs? Do you supement? Whitt what? Vho? T5? Led? What bulbs?

I am thinking radiums and vho super actinic are gonna be very blue. Maybe not don't know? Any thoughts, experience, or opinions are appreciated.

zemuss · Jun 29, 2015

I went LED awhile ago but I am really thinking about switching back to the MH / T5 Combo and give that a go.

Thinking of going with a hamilton setup: CEBU SUN 24" 1 X MOGUL BASE METAL HALIDE +T5 + LED LIGHTING SYSTEM BY HAMILTON TECHNOLOGY

However I am waiting right now as I am working on water quality.

jeremy · Jun 29, 2015

So what were you thinking for your bulb combo?

That's my hang up. I like the look of radiums but with supplements I am thinking too blue. Maybe 12k reflux and 2 vho super actinics. But I have never saw this combo or any others for that matter. Lol.

zemuss · Jun 29, 2015

From Aqua Cave the light comes with a 10k MH and 4 Hamilton actinic blue T5 HO bulbs. I am also getting the 14k hamilton bulb..

However I haven't made a decision because this setup is cheaper from other vendors and I want to address the water quality first.

hybridazn · Jun 29, 2015

I run 3 250w radiums on galaxy select a watt ballast and supplement with s 72" reefbrite xho blue strip.

I love this light combo, but the galaxy ballasts do burn the radiums a little more white than blue.

d2mini · Jun 29, 2015

I'm running Radiums right now. 250w on m80 ballasts. All Hamilton equipment. 72" cebu sun.
I run 4 80w T5 to supplement. Just recently started running 3 Geisemann Super Actinics and one KZ Superblue.
And I'm planning on building a 72" led strip using a RapidLED solderless kit. I want to run more actinic for some extra pop and coloration.
Was thinking of getting a reefbrite but I was directed towards rapidled for their more power/better quality leds and for the fact they would be super easy to change out if any were to burn up on me. Would be the 48 bulb kit.

jeremy · Jun 29, 2015

Cool! I was wanting to run Radiums. Another question. How's the light at bottom of tank? Mine is 24 inches tall and all sps top to bottom. I currently run around 260-290 on the bottom glass. I would like to be 225 or more. I would think with 2 vho or 2 t5 and 1 reef Brite I should have more than enough but just making sure. I have plenty of roof to raise or lower lights. Probably gonna be a floating canopy.

d2mini · Jun 29, 2015

jeremy said:
Cool! I was wanting to run Radiums. Another question. How's the light at bottom of tank? Mine is 24 inches tall and all sps top to bottom. I currently run around 260-290 on the bottom glass. I would like to be 225 or more. I would think with 2 vho or 2 t5 and 1 reef Brite I should have more than enough but just making sure. I have plenty of roof to raise or lower lights. Probably gonna be a floating canopy.

My light sits about 9" above the water and the tank is 24" deep.
I don't have a par meter but I have huge LPS and lower light SPS like Bird of Paradise and Rainbow Montipora sitting on the sand bed that look stellar.
As well as a big Derasa Clam that sits in the far left corner. Tank is 84" long and the fixture is only 72" long with the t5's being only 60" long and the clam is happy.... as a clam.

jeremy · Jun 29, 2015

Sounds like plenty of light to me.

I have some deep waters and months and calm at bottom. Just making sure everything will be happy before I switch. Now I need to build a light rack.

anarchy · Jun 29, 2015

I run lumen max elite pendents with 14000k phoenix bulbs and a sunlight supply 7 250w dual ballast

Touring · Jul 1, 2015

M80 Ballast 20k radium/6 bulb ati blue plus.

Touring · Jul 1, 2015

Everything grows great

jeremy · Jul 1, 2015

Nice! Thanks.

FoD · Jul 1, 2015

I will be running 250w Radiums with 4 or 6x54w T5's, and 4 Kessil A160WE's for actinic supplements...once I get my tank wet. I miss Halides. Excited to go back!

ReefBum · Jul 2, 2015

I am using 400W Radiums on Luxcore selectable ballasts on the HQI setting. Supplementing with Giesemann 24 watt Actinic Plus+ T5 HO Lamps.

jeremy · Jul 3, 2015

How long do you run your radiums?

ReefBum · Jul 6, 2015

My tank is cycling right now but I typically run them for 8 hours.

jeremy · Jul 6, 2015

Thanks.

ryanmell · Jul 6, 2015

I also run the lumenmax elite reflector also with a radium, the newer reflectors shoot alot of light to the bottom I run a 250w on a 60 cube and have sps on the sandbed