SPS lighting suggestions

whiteshark

whiteshark

Active member
OK. I've read a lot. Contemplated a lot. Narrowed down my options only to reconsider and open up new possibilities. I have a newly set up 27g cube that I want to be sps dominated. I was pretty set on a gen2 radion but a voice in my head keeps saying "just get a chiller and a 250w or 400w mh pendant". Yeah I guess 400w might be overkill but I want there to be plenty of light. Then I read about reefbreeders LEDs and that threw a new wrinkle into the fold. And i haven't even really researched t5s yet. Now I'm in a paralysis of analysis state. I cant decide at all. I've never kept sps before so I have no experience to draw from.

So if you experienced sps vets could give some advice I'd really appreciate it. Any opinions are welcomed though id prefer this didnt turn into a mh vs. led flame war. Oh and if you want to include some sweet FTS shots with your lighting included I wouldn't complain ;)

Thanks!
 
You don't need that much light for a 27 cube, both a 250 and 400 are massive overkill. Keep the 150 you have and if you are running a low par bulb, change it out to a higher par bulb if you think you need more light.
 
sirreal63 said:
You don't need that much light for a 27 cube, both a 250 and 400 are massive overkill. Keep the 150 you have and if you are running a low par bulb, change it out to a higher par bulb if you think you need more light.
Click to expand...

Fair enough. My thought, though, was going with something like a 250W 20,000k bulb as opposed to a whiter 150W. The current bulb is a 14K Phoenix. Basically I just don't want much limitation on what I can keep. I'd also like to raise the fixture about 6 to 10 inches above the tank as well for better coverage, but that's not really feasible with this cumbersome SunPod with ballast built in. The only reason I'm using it currently is because it came with this tank and it's all I have atm. I planned on upgrading the lighting from the start but just keep wavering on what direction to go with it. The one thing I do know is that I want an SPS dominated tank, so I want what will be best for that.

Is there a specific pendant, whether it be 150W or 250W that you would recommend? Electronic or Magnetic ballast?
 
What are the actual dimensions of the tank? The SunPod is a pretty crappy fixture so that can definitely be improved.
 
You can increase the amount of light as easily as replacing the ballast with the proper M81 ballast, and if you want even more light, using a LumenMax Elite or a LumenBrite Mini will both do a much better job of getting the light into the tank. The SunPod reflector isn't horrible but it isn't optimum either. The Phoenix is a good bulb to use so I would stay with it.
 
So essentially your suggestion is to swap out the ballast and/or reflector? Would this be a better option than buying a new pendant? I do not have a canopy to mount this in and I'd prefer to be rid of the SunPod all together. It can't be hung or adjusted for height.
 
I would ditch the SunPod completely and go with either a pendant (the best solution) with the proper ballast or go with a better fixture. The pendant is the best solution because the reflector is designed better.
 
OK we're on the same page. The LumenMax is just a reflector correct? Any suggestions on good pendants? I seem to see a lot of Hamiltons around and not much else.
 
So I'm thinking now what I might do is go with a 150W HQI pendant or just get a reflector and ballast and use the clips from the sunpod, build a small canopy, and add two HO T5s for color. The issue is finding decent 18 or 20 inch T5's. ATI doesn't make an 18in T5 do they?
 
I like the Ecoxotic strips, they have a nice variety of colors as well. I am using the 445nm strips but mixing the 445 and violets will give a nice pop.
 
Food for thought:

I have a 150W MH Biocube with no chiller, and my SPS will bleach if they are placed middle-high the center of my tank (Granted, I have an 8 hr light cycle).. Here is what I did:
About 6 months ago I started up a Bio-Cube. I purchased a HQI hood that came with a reflector in the hood and NOTHING else. I Took a dremmel to the fan ports in the top of the hood, and opened them up a little bit for more air flow. I then purchased fans from an online computer store (Cost me $20). Then I Purchased a "Dial-A-Watt" Lumatek ballast (150W-175W-250W) and wired that to to the reflector. Placed a Phoenix 14K 150W bulb in it. Now I run the Phoenix 150W HQI bulb with the electronic ballast on 175W setting. No problems and GREAT light. I also have the ability to knock the light down to 150W setting when I acclimate a new coral.

So, since I am too cheap to buy a chiller and pay electricity to run it, I Dremmeled out a "Port" in the cover of the feed flap and put an additional fan in there. Now, when my controller detects the tank temp hits my set threshold, it kicks the fan on to vent the area between the water surface and hood and knocks the temp right down.

Something to think about, Good luck to whatever you decide to do!
 
Thanks! I have considered adding computer fans. I have a couple lying around that were previously used on a dart frog viv. I certainly don't want to add a chiller either if I can avoid it.
 
So my LFS has mogul based 175W reflectors, clips, and ballast for 100$ (used). They don't know the brand of the reflector though. The ballast is a Blueline electronic. Something I should be interested in? Or should I stick with the 150W HQI?
 
Depends on the reflector, there is very little light difference in most 175's and 150's and a poor elector will negate any benefit from the 175's.
 
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