Current USA Outer Orbit Users

[aaron1987]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14926978#post14926978 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lyfey
As far as an awesome SPS growing machine since the PAR of 20ks are a lot less than 10ks.. how would this sound

3x 20K 250w (insert best suited bulb here)
2x Fiji Purple
4x ATI Blue +
2x UVL Super Actinic

That would be a very nice setup. I think with running the halides at 10k would be too much PAR.. With the 20ks I think it would be an awesome color + perfect PAR.. I am running the 72" so I have 8x 39w T5's

So I think Im going to stay with the stock ballasts based on DarG's advice. But if you were going to replace the ballasts what would you replace them with? I was thinking the Icecap would be the best of them all. Thanks guys I really enjoy the help!
-Chris

Just be mindful that depending on the 20k bulb you end up, that's going to be an extremely blue spectrum. I'd look at 14k's and swap the Super Actinics for something else, Aqua Blue+'s perhaps if it were my tank. If a very blue spectrum is your thing though, you'll certainly accomplish it with that setup.

 

[Lyfey]

So I was looking around and I found a M80 spec ballast made by hamilton tech. its about 150$

I think Im going to wait on purchasing any new ballasts. How much PAR difference do you think there is in my current setup between the current usa 10k and the reeflux 12k?

Should I replace the 12k with another 10k that I already have because that is the section most of all my SPS corals are located, or would I be fine and just wait for the bulbs to burn in?

aaron thank you for your input I like the idea of 14k's with blue +'s should I run 3x blue + and 1x fiji purple? is blue + concidered an actinic or daylight bulb?

 

[Lyfey]

Does anyone have any expirience with 250w phoenix 14k's on the current usa fixture? also, any expirience running other T5's besides the stock ones?

 

[Toddrtrex]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14931568#post14931568 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lyfey
Does anyone have any expirience with 250w phoenix 14k's on the current usa fixture? also, any expirience running other T5's besides the stock ones?

In my Sunpod (( just 250 MH, and moonlights )) I am running the Phoenix bulb, I like it a lot better then the stock Current 14K bulb. Seems brighter and with a better blue -- if that makes sense.

 

[davocean]

I've had a couple orbits now, and really like them.
I did swap to the 14K (stock current bulb) and liked that much better.
Some friends have swapped to the ATI bulbs and seem happy w/ those as well.
Mine are about 8" off surface, 8hrs MH, 10hrs T5, and moons(blue only) most of night.

 

[Lyfey]

so your using the 14k current bulbs? how do they compair to other 14k's thinking about going with phoenix because of the color and PAR. pictures of your setup with 14k current bulbs?

 

[Toddrtrex]

This is my 33 cube with the 250 Watt Sunpod with the stock Current 14K bulb. I can try to get a picture tonight of it with the Phoenix bulb, I will do my best to make sure the camera settings are the same.

 

[davocean]

That looks great Todd!

 

[davocean]

My 10K shots aren't great, but for comparison, tank on left is 10K(ignore tank on right, PC temp for setup)

And this is 14K

 

[Toddrtrex]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14938526#post14938526 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by davocean
That looks great Todd!

Thanks a lot, I am pretty happy with it.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14932259#post14932259 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Toddrtrex
This is my 33 cube with the 250 Watt Sunpod with the stock Current 14K bulb. I can try to get a picture tonight of it with the Phoenix bulb, I will do my best to make sure the camera settings are the same.

Here are two new pictures with the Phoenix bulb.

This one isn't as good, but the color is closer to real life.