MH bulb selection for sps reef

[Reel North]

I'm trying to pick bulbs for the right mix of growth and color.

My tank is 72 X 30 w X 24 tall eurobraced.

I have 3 Hamilton Cozumel sun reflectors I'm using, as well as 2 reefbrites 48" light bars for dusk & dawn.

I have a shelf & branch rock design, and the corals range from 4" from the bottom to 5" from the surface.

I currently have 3 PFO M80 ballasts that I can use, as well as 3 Lumatek adjustable ballasts I've been picking up.

I have run radiums before, and they are fantastic. I'm not sure if there is a better bulb available that can give me a nice look with good growth.

I was considering running a 400 halide in the middle and 2 250w out to the sides, or just 3 250w. I have a light rack that I made from aluminum channel which allows me to raise and lower the lights.

I'd love some help picking the right bulbs for this.

Thanks in advance!

 

[C.Eymann]

Considering you have the M80s, I would go with the Radiums, there really isn't a bulb out there that can match its performance- coloration and growth wise on that ballast setup.
_______
my two pennies

 

[Reel North]

You think I should run a 400 radium in the middle and 2 250 on the outside?

 

[C.Eymann]

You think I should run a 400 radium in the middle and 2 250 on the outside?

If heat and energy consumption are not a concern, then sure ! Heck if you can swing it cooling wise and don't mind big electric bills, go with all 400's if you want.

 

[power boat jim]

I run 3x 400w. The Raduim is a good bulb but only lasts 6-8 months. I am now using 10k bulbs and though the color doesnt pop as much the growth and bulb life are far better. I use my LEDs to help in color rendition while the MH are on.

 

[Reel North]

Power costs here are absolutely crazy. We pay higher rates than Hawaii. I only run my lights after 6 pm to use the cheaper rate (drops from .17 kW/h to .07 kW/h.

I'll try the 250s to start - the extra heat would be fine - tank is in the basement, and when my heaters come on..... Well the power just goes nuts.

When I ran halides before the heaters never came on.

 

[ReefCowboy]

I've only ran 250w fixtures, and have heard the radiums are somewhat better in 250w over 400w?
I personally think 3x 250's with good reflectors are PLENTY for a 24" tall tank

 

[Reel North]

That's what I'm hoping .

I'll run them and see what the par is like. The cozumels aren't real par monsters, but like you say - tank isn't deep

 

[biecacka]

The 250 watts will be plenty for a tank that is 24 inches tall.



Corey

 

[rockworm]

The 250 watts will be plenty for a tank that is 24 inches tall.



Corey

I agree with this. I am running 250's in my 27" tall tank and get plenty of par.

 

[moondoggy4]

Don't move to Ca, 29 cent and up KWH, tier and the final solution yeah baby. But I would run 250's on your tank. I have dual 250 Phoenix's DE and I do not like the color. I want to switch to radiums I just need the reflectors.

 

[Reel North]

Let me check my bill. I know we are more than California. Thus, our once mighty manufacturing center has gone bye bye. And they are raising bills again in October.

I'm going to do 250w radiums.

 

[royy13]

on my old 90 I used 250 watt 14,000k Hamilton bulbs if I remember correctly. I ran those along with 440 watts of VHO bulbs. I also ran the 250s with the Hamilton bulbs over a 29 by themselves. Looked great.

 

[Bpb]

Lol no kidding on California. 0.07/kWh isn't outrageous. That's dirt cheap man. I thought we were sitting pretty good at 0.11/kWh in my area in Texas. That seems to be fairly average


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[rockworm]

Let me check my bill. I know we are more than California. Thus, our once mighty manufacturing center has gone bye bye. And they are raising bills again in October.

I'm going to do 250w radiums.

I am in Ottawa and my average monthly electric bill is $300. And I heat with natural gas. This will go up now that I have gone from 890w lighting to 1700w (6 ft to 8 ft tank). The up side is my heaters rarely turn on. This hobby ain't cheap, but I warned the kids that they aren't getting an inheritance(unless they want the tank)[emoji16]

 

[Reel North]

Before I check my bill.... I took an Iwaki RLT55 off as my return pump and changed to a wave line 10000 and my bill dropped $50 a month....

That's another reason for halides - less heater time!! That's 1000 watts!!

I will also say that the power charges aren't the worst - it's the delivery, blah blah blah that kills us.