Lighting issue coming up on SPS 58g.

[RichConley]

Well, It looks like I may be moving in the next couple weeks. I'm currently running a single 250W DE ROIII pendant on the tank, and am unhappy with coverage. I also dont like the fact that my sps primarily color up on the top, or 1 side (the side facing the bulb). My bulb is about to die, so I'm gonna have to drop some cash either way.

I've been thinking about either moving to an 8 bulb 39w T5 setup, or getting a second halide setup.

This is how I see it
Advantages
T5:
Ability to use multiple different spectrum bulbs
Ability to do dawn/dusk
312w total
MH:
If I upgrade in the future, I can re-use the MH setups.

Below is a simple price analysis of my options. Any suggestions guys?



2X FULLHAM WORKHORSE 220W = 31.16*2 = 62.32
8X COMPUTER DESIGNED REFLECTOR = 13.72*8=109.76
8X ROTARY LOCK SOCKET PAIR = 8*1.56= 12.48
2X POWER CORD = 2 * 2.74= 5.48
------------------------------------------------
190.04
8x Bulbs = $15 x 8 120.00
--------------------------------------------
310.04
Upgrade to IC reflectors = 8 * 5.23 41.84
-----------------------------------------------
350.04 - sales = TC: 130.04


Metal Halide options
2x Lumenmax/lumenarc = 2x 129.95 259.90
2x bulb 120.00
---------------------------------------------
379.90 - sales = TC: 289.90
OR

1x ROIII =99.75 99.75
2x bulb 120.00
---------------------------------------------
219.97 - sales = TC: 214.97

Selling MH Stuff
Icecap E ballast $75
ARO Eballast $60
ROIII reflector $80 w/ bulbs
SE socket $5
-------------------------------
220

 

[SunnyX]

I would go with the T5 Setup. From the displays I have seen that run T5 the one thing you notice is how uniformly the corals grow. By that I mean that the corals are growing from everyside and have color on every side. Nice round, full growth. I think this is mainly due to the fact that MH are a point source of light. Corals in the tank tend to grow toward a point source. With T5 there is no point source so the coral grows nice and full.

I plan on going all T5 in the near future. I am currently weighing in all my options. From what I have seen, T5 definitely is the way to go in an SPS tank.

 

[Ewan]

Rich, I hear you with respect to the shading issues of running one MH. The nice thing about t5's is that you'll rid yourself completely of shadows.

I've always been turned off of the 8xT5 setups because of the replacement bulb costs... but at $15/bulb it seems very manageable. Most of the prices I've seen are $20-$26/bulb... If you can get them for $15 each, there's very little cause for concern.

Good call on the IC reflectors. I saw them at MACNA last year and they were amazing. No comparison.

-E.

 

[RichConley]

Ewan, did you see a huge difference between the Icecaps and the Teks?

I said $15 a bulb beacuse I was thinking something along the lines of 3 GE 6500K, 3 Blue+ and 2 URI Actinic. The Ge's are like $9 a piece.

So $27 for the 3 GE, $60 for 3 Blue+, $40 for the actinic, so thats like $127 for 8 bulbs, so 15 and change...

Also, I was worried about not being able to keep them in an upgrade, but the ballasts wouldnt need to be replaced...


Still tryign to decide if I can justify going to a 4ft tank....

 

[dvanacker]

I think your tank is 18" wide.....in which case 6 bulbs is all you need.

Also go with the IC reflectors. Also something to take into consideration of bulb cost is that some people are waiting 18 months or longer to change bulbs. Danano (march 05 TOTM) didnt change his bulbs till 20 months (aquablue and blue+).

 

[RichConley]

Ok, was going to go with 8 simply because the WH7 ballasts will drive 4 each.

 

[MiddletonMark]

Rich, I really like 2 MH on my 58 ... the mixing of bulbs is nice [I use 2 diff halides].

That said, T-5's are also quite tempting. Have seriously considered running 4 + the halides [perhaps shifting halides to 175's] ... but figuring I'll wait until I upgrade tanks.

Both are great options.

 

[RichConley]

Ugh, to complicate things, the GF has a Geismann 250w DE pendant sitting around. I could just use the ROIII on one side, and the Geisman on the other... Still $120 for bulbs. Anyone see any problem with this?

Also, running 2 bulbs, any suggestions that would look nice?

 

[funstarfish]

ive always thought about running two MHs sort of slightly angled, maybe 10 degrees or so. I say give it a go and see what happens, worst case is you have a backup bulb...

 

[gregm5]

i run two 250's over my sixty gallon and the only shaded area is right in the middle, but that may also be due to the fact that there is a brace there. i really like it, but i too have been considering t5's. the tanks i've seen with them make it very tempting.