new to halide bulbs and need help.

[noapollono]

I have been pricing ballasts at graybar $60 for a 250w so now I am looking for a bulb. I have a 29 gal tank so I think i will only use one, but which one? I want a reef tank with a couple fish which would be best. The sales men at graybar can sell me a commercial bulb that does around 17,000 whatevers, would this work. If it wont work why?

Thanks
Ty

 

[SeanT]

<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central</b></i></big></big>

Are you planning on keeping stony corals (SPS) or clams?
If not, halides may be an overkill for your tank.
You may want to look into VHO, T5's or PC bulbs.

Just a thought,
Sean

 

[noapollono]

this setup will be under $100 it would cost more to do pc or vho

 

[SeanT]

That may be so, but ask yourself what would be best for the animals you are keeping.

 

[Entropy]

You could do VHO for about $100 (2x75w). If you are set on a halide (which I think is a great idea), I think I would go with a 14k bulb or maybe even a 20k depending on how blue you like your tank. Since you will run it unsupplemented, you will want a nice color.