selecting MH lighting

[dots]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8787330#post8787330 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jlfnjlf
My going from 175W to 250W is to compensate for the low PAR values of the 20K bulbs.

That IMO, would be the easiest and probably what I would do if it was my choice.

 

[jlfnjlf]

I just want a good middle of the road lighting setup for a mixed reef display tank. I do not plan to actively propagate anything, and I prefer to only change my bulbs on a regular basis. What I choose for a ballast I do not want to replace until it dies.

I only want to do this one time.

John

 

[dots]

Go to the SPS and lighting forums, they talk about those bulbs ALOT with a ton of opinions......I have 14K Ushio and like them alot....but I am not a fan of the big blues, I like the "silver" look.

Here is two I have seen recently:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=991810

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=994947

 

[dots]

I think your on the right track for your needs John. Its always better to have a little too much lighting than not enough.....I bought three set before ending up with what I have now.

 

[tacocat]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8787337#post8787337 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dots
If you look on the SPS forum, people change thier bulbs and ballasts like thier changing pants looking for the holy combination.

It was found a long time (probably six years ago). The perfect combo is 400w SE Radium 20K bulbs mounted in Lumenarc III reflectors and powered with HQI ballast.

The problem is most people don't have room for Lumenarcs, and don't want to pay for the excessive energy bill and bulb costs. These bulbs are only good for about 8 months before they color shift.

 

[jlfnjlf]

I am back to looking at the LumenMax after reading the review on advancedaquarist.com. This reflector performs very similar to the Luminarc, but it has a smaller footprint.

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2006/2/review

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...oduct_Code=SL-904328&Category_Code=Sunpendant

Thus I could still run my T5s without any issues. However I am now sold on SE over the DE bulbs. I am fairly solid on the 250W IceCap for my ballast as well. Now all I have to do is figure out what bulbs I am going to use.

What do you guys think?

Thanks,

John