Best Lighting for 30x30x18 cube?

[JoeBellz]

Hello,

I'm upgrading to a 30x30x18 euro-braced rimless cube. My lighting will be suspended over it & I will need to most likely delve into MH's, I've been a T5 guy for a bit but have no knowledge of MH's.

I was wondering if anyone could recommend a good lamp set-up, I'm thinking of having one 250w pendant, for LPS, Softies, Clams, & maybe a few SPS. Since the cube is shallow I was thinking that would be enough light?

What I'm most confused about is what the best pendant to get with what ballast & bulb (going for a white/blue look).

I was looking into the SLS Lumen max Elite Mogul with a Phoenix DE 14K bulb but I don't know what ballast, how's that combo?

Also what does Mogul mean vs HQI?

Thanks in advance!

 

[J-Burns]

Mogul bulbs are single ended like a lamp bulb. HQI bulbs have 2 ends like the bulb for a hologen torchare lamp. I also was looking at some LEDs that would probably work that were $850.00 and made by an israelli company .

 

[RokleM]

HQI is not a bulb, it's a ballast specification. While it's true MOST HQI bulbs are double ended, there are HQI rated single ended bulbs like the 250w Radium. Having tried both, 250/400, SE/DE over the years, I prefer more single ended bulbs so that's the route I go.

I would lean towards the LumenMax2 vs elite. I have both and ended up using the LumenMax2. It has a slight spotlight, but more widespread. The Lumenmax Elite is a straight down spotlight with very littel coverage outside of 20-24".

Lumatek adjustable
LumenMax2
Radium

30x30x27 LPS

 

[solitude127]

How come you believe that T5's won't work for you in this case? I think an 8x24w ATI PM would work great for you application.

 

[RokleM]

Bulb replacement alone would cost a fortune Even the expensive $80-90 radium bulb (which lasts a good 12 months) looks cheap in that scenario.

There would be upsides for T5's, especially the ability to tweak color a bit with 8 bulbs. Wattage would be just slightly lower, but probably not enough to even cover the bulb replacement costs.