Metal Halide Decisions - Help!

[Acipenser]

I want to upgrade from VHO to metal halide. I just upgraded the tank from a 135 to a 150 gallon. The tank is 6' long with 2 braces in the top. The distance from the water surface to the sand surface is 22 inches due to the deep sand bed. I am planning on using 3 MH and supplementing with 2 VHO Actinincs. I want to be able to have Maxima and Crocea clams on the sand surface (or close to it) .

What lighting configuration would you suggest, and be specific please? I want information regarding bulb wattage, bulb type, bulb manufacturer, ballast type, ballast manufacturer, and best vendors for the lights in question. I would even appreciate reflector information too. I am seeking as much input as I can before I make a decision .

Thanks.

 

[Frisco]

I'd suggest any one of the euro-style 250W DE HQI fixtures, like the AB, Giesemann, UFO, etc. You could get a 3x250 with actinics in a beautiful fixture for about $1k. They're the best all around bulb/hood setups IMO.

 

[Mandoman]

I agree, 3-250 watts minimum. I have a CSL pendant with Ushio 10K's and 2-110 watt VHO actinic 03. The MH have the Blueline electronic ballasts which operate without the heat of standard ballasts. Supposedly, the bulbs will last longer, too. My clams are happy.

Bought the setup from Champion Lighting and was pleased with their knowledge and advice.

 

[Peabody]

Agreed, you're going to need at least 3 lamps of at least 250watts. Check out those "Aquaspacelights". This would be awesome for you: http://www.inlandreef.net/723x25fix.html

 

[Dr. Beer]

HQI is the way to go!

I'm getting a 250W 10k AB HQI lamp burned by an IceCap 250w MH HQI ballast in a Reef Optix III Plus pendant with 2x 55w actinic supplementation for my 20 gallon long! I was gonna put it on a 34 but decided not to

 

[Corvettes&Fish]

Lights

Lights

I use the 3 x 250 aquaspace light and I love it. The colors are great and the lights are really bright(intense). The Actinics look funny when you look at the bulb but when you turn them on they work with great colors flores(sp). When you need to lift up the lights you grab the end of the fixture and metal thing you hang in the wire and push the top in. I just realized it is much easier then it is to describe.

 

[Acipenser]

Thanks for the info

Thanks for the info

Thanks for the advice. I think I am going to go with three 250-watt HQI 10,000K bulbs. I would like to get a retrofit that I could put into a canopy to try to keep the costs down. What ballast would you suggest getting for these bulbs? I also use 10-X stations for my wave maker to turn powerheads on and off, and I have heard that is a problem with some ballasts. What vendors do you think have the best prices and customer service?

I already have the actinic bulbs and the VHO ballast, so I won't need to get them.

Thanks.