How about this lighting combo

dmbnpj

dmbnpj

New member
280 gallon tank (72"x36"x25")

(3) 400 watt Lumen max 2 Reflectors

with Blue Wave ballasts from Sunlight Supply

Option 1.) Should I go with 3 (Blue Wave 1) 400 watt ballasts?
Option 2.) Should I go with 2 (Blue Wave 2) 400 watt dual ballasts?

I think with option 1, the 3 ballasts will work individually meaning I will be able to have each lamp turn on/off individually of the others. With option 2, I will be able to connect 2 lamps to one ballast. This means both lamps will turn on/off at the same time. Then, the 3rd lamp will be connected to the 2nd ballast. There will be an open socket in the 2nd ballast.

First off, I plan on keeping SPS/clams/zoanthids/some LPS and fish. Very interested in SPS/zoanthids. I also plan on adding, in addition to the above (3) 400 watt lamps, some T5 lighting. Might add a 48"(2x54watt) and 24"(2x24watt) retro system, also from Sunlight Supply. Will this be a good combination on this size tank?

Secondly, in the above options, which is better? 2 or 3 ballasts? Im wondering opinions, as far as individual operation and also as far as power consumption/savings. 2 might be better than 3? Thanks for any help.
-Jeff
 
I would go with HQI ballasts if you don't mind the extra energy consumption. If it were me I would go with 3 separate ones in that situation simply to not buy the extra ballast that I wasnt going to use.

Unless you can run that 4th one to a frag area then you may as well get the 2 dual ballasts.
 
Im having a hard time finding info on why HQI is a better choice? Any help is certainly appreciated! I currently run mogul base halides on my 75 gallon which I am very happy with.
Thanks for your input!
 
Also, just got a hot tip from a frined that I should lean toward lumenarc reflectors instead of lumen max 2's. Are there better ballasts I should go with instead of Blue Waves?
 
Another option....I liked the look of the Blue wave ballasts because they looked "plug and play." Will the Icecap 660 ballast also be "plug and play", or will I need to buy additional items to make the Icecap 660 ballast work with lumenarc reflectors?
Thanks again
 
I personally like blue wave ballasts as they partially overdrive the bulb. This means that if a bulb takes 400w, the blue waves run them at about 420w. It makes for a brighter bulb but shorter bulb life. I would also go with three individual ballasts because if one does go out, it will be an easy switch.

An icecap 660 is a VHO ballast IMO and not a MH ballast. I seem to remember someone using a 660 on halides but don't know why you would want to?

Lumen Max reflectors are inferior to lumenarcs imho. They use pounded aluminum on the corners which reflects worse than white paint.
 
not on the rug man............

Thanks for the help. I am going with lumenarc reflectors. Thanks for the heads up on the ballasts. I see so much talk about Icecaps I was beginning to be under the impression that they are "best."
 
Again, Im still curious why you went with 250's? I am still hunting for ideas on which lighting system to go with. Thanks for any help!
Also, which model number Icecap ballasts did you go with?
 
two reasons
1-I think a lot of people over do flow and lighting.

2- Being able to run only 1k of wattage is amazing for a tank my size. Everyone that sees my tank loves the lighting. I put the corals that need more light on top (sps) .The corals dont know how much water is below them.

When I built my tank I watched ever watt to see where I could save.

My flow is a dart and two tunze 6100 = 250w
return is a 750 series 4200 seq =175w
Huge dart needle wheel skimmer =175w
Lighting =1000w
for most of my system your talking only 1600w

now look at your average guys tank of my size
Flow 2 Barracuda =650w
return seq 4300 =250w
Beckett Skimmer =250w
Lighting 4 xm10 400w =1600
Antics 8 110 watt =880
total =3630

Thats 2000w a day .... that's a big differnce. My corals may grow a bit slower but my tank only costs me $60 month in florida which is a huge savings.

I dont know the model # its a single ballast electronic
 
Last edited:
I like it...thanks for the reply. Have you also thought about using "time of use" service from your power company. Not exactly sure how it works but I believe there is an option from your power company where you can put a different meter on your house and your kw/h price changes during different times of the day. For instance, at night the price might drop from say .11cents per kwh to .03cents per kwh. This gives you the option to save some money by running halides/dishwasher/washer&dryer/etc. during the lower priced hours. Again, this was explained to me from a friend who I believe has used this service. I believe this is available through Progress Energy who is the power company here in North Carolina.
I myself am planning a large tank and will NEED to save money on power costs per month. Thats why your reply has helped. Thank You! I hope to get in touch with the power company to find out details on the time of use service. I keep forgetting to call.
 
You wanted to know why HQI over standard 400w. I wondered the same thing. The HQI ballast overdrives the bulb as someone stated earlier. You will still use a mogel bulb and since you are overdriving it you will get a better color from the bulb.

I have a 500g tank that is 90x44x30 and I have 4 Luminarc's with 2 dual blue wave 400w HQI's pushing the reflux 12k bulbs.

I chose this combo because of the color output. It looks very bright white when I look at it, but there is enough blue that I didn't have to add any T5's or VHO's.

You are going to want to use HQI because although you will shorten bulb life you are going to get better color and if you choose the right bulbs maybe not even have support attinics.

The Blue wave's are good ballasts. I needed 4 so I got duals. Also duals were more cost effective than 4 ballasts were.

I like this combo and would strongly recommend it.
 
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