Lighting Change

[Rpierce]

I think I want to change my metal halides. I currently use 2 400 watt XM bulbs. I think I want to downgrade to 250s. Here is my reasoning:

My tank crashed a few weeks ago and everything was quickly dieing. So I took what was not already dead to Derek's. He had moved his corals to his new tank and the old tank was still setup. Anyway, to make a long story short, my corals now look better than they ever have. I know that lighting is not the only factor but it's a start.

So, if you know anyone who wants two 400 watt MH, give me a call.

Rick

 

[chad508]

what brand ballast do you have i have a 250 aro ballast i might swap with you

 

[Rpierce]

Chad- They are raw ballasts- M59s

Did you get that email I sent you?

 

[Rpierce]

Well I was going to try to find a Dual PFO HQI Ballast but they are too d@mn expensive. I am probably going to get these:

http://www.hellolights.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=165

If anyone sees them cheaper anywhere, let me know.

Rick

 

[dvmsn]

If you look at some of Sanjays numbers, a 250 puts out almost as much par. I definitely agree that 400s can be to much for many corals. You might also want to consider going to a 20k bulb which will be much less bright but probably have similar par to a 250.

 

[H2OLUVSME]

Are you going to switch your reflectors too Rick?

I like Daves reccomendation, but once you go blue, theres no turning back :lol:

 

[Rpierce]

I was thinking about Lumenarcs.

I just don't know if I want that much blue. Landon, I know you like it but, it's just not for me.

Does anyone make a 20 K bulb that is a little white?

 

[Rpierce]

Doesn't someone have some old 400watt 20K bulbs laying around I can try?

hint hint Dave?

 

[dvmsn]

I think I gave mine away. There are a number that people say are more white. The phoenix 14K seem to get good hype.

 

[Rpierce]

I've been thinking about Reeflux too.

 

[chad508]

just remember that 400w 10k reeflux has half the par as the 10k xm on a m59 ballast. and the 12k is even lower.

 

[Rpierce]

After talking with a couple more people, I think I am going to go with the 250s with the same bulbs that I have. I like the look of the 10K XM

Now should I overdrive the bulb and get the HQI ballasts for about $60 more? I know that means changing out the bulbs more often.

The par is substantially different between them:

400 watt - 172
250 watt- 137
250 watt HQI- 182

(Test run with XM 10K bulbs)

That's more than I am getting now.

 

[dvmsn]

I like the hqi. They also burn hotter and that could be an issue.

 

[H2OLUVSME]

Isnt part of the reasonig for a change stepping down? It seems that stepping up the PAR would be counter productive to your goal, but maybe Ive misunderstood your goal.

It would definatly have the benefit of less power usage, but would that be counteracted by more frequent bulb changes?

 

[Rpierce]

I agree but the word GROWTH keeps running through my head.

 

[H2OLUVSME]

Thats why I never thought youd downgrade

 

[Rpierce]

With that being said, I would rather my corals look better (healthier) than to grow out the top of my tank. Now that I see how they could look in another tank.

 

[chad508]

if you like the xm10k just go with the hamilton 14k 400watt they look great and have real low par. im with landon, if you buy new bulbs and ballast and still have the same par all you have done is spend money i would find a bulb that meets what you want in a 400watt.

 

[dvmsn]

I agree with Landon and Chad. I really don't know why you have such a negative self image about your tank. I don't know anybody who has seen it who thinks your corals look unhealthy or that your tank isn't really good. I think you need a long talk with Stuart Smalley

 

[H2OLUVSME]

:lol: