What Halide combo do you run over your SPS?

[jdraider75]

I am gonna make the switch from t5 to a metal halide combo. Just not sure which one. So looking for some input. I have a 120 display, 2 galaxy select a watt ballasts, I have 1 I think lumen bright rector and I am getting another. Also picked up an ice cap 660 ballast it is coming with vho end caps but I could switch h to t5 I also have a reef brite. My question is if I run radius and vho or t5 it's gonna a be really blue. Should I run radius or some other bulb 12k? 14k? Or keep radius and do different supplements? Or just radiums?
What do you run? Thanks in advance for any feed back.

 

[DSMpunk]

The 400w radiums looks crisp white to me and extremely bright. I have almost the same setup as you but I have LED for actinics. I honestly can hardly tell if they are on or not with the halides on.

Im thinking of switching to T5 for some super actinics. Nothing matched the look of 400w Radiums and the 110 VHO super actinic combo IMO, but VHO is dying and T5 seems to be better in most ways.

 

[jdraider75]

Nice. I really wanted to start with that combo of radium and vho. I guess if they quit making vho all I need is some end caps. I have a bunch of t5 laying around. I just don't want to have to go experimenting with halides at $60-80 a bulb.

How's the overall look of the tank with vhos and radiums? And how's the light at the sand bed? I run sps from top to bottom.

Thanks

Jeremy

 

[Peter Eichler]

Radiums don't need any supplementing. I say get the radiums set-up and then decide if you want it a little more blue or a little more white and then decide between coral+, blue+ and aquablue special T5's if you still want to supplement.

 

[jdraider75]

Alright. Thanks. I do have a bunch of ATI bulbs I can try. How's vho super actinic look with radiums?

 

[DSMpunk]

It definitely brings out some colors that aren't there with the straight up MHs on. The SA VHO/T5 bulbs really hammer the 420 nm wavelength while the radiums main light outputs around 450 nm.

It seems to round out the look to a nice blueish look, but not overly blue. Of course its all personal preference. I would say since you already have the T5 lights and bulbs you might as well stick to that. There is a difference in the spectrum slightly, but im not sure if its enough to switch.

VHO

T5

 

[jdraider75]

Thanks

 

[Jettareefer]

I run 2x250 watt Radiums on a blue wave 7 ballast with one vho white actinic and one vho super actinic. This is my favorite combo in my 13 years in the hobby. Pinks, blues, oranges, and greens all pop like crazy growth also is great.

 

[SeargentSlice]

I am running 2 × 250 watt Radiums on lumatek hqi setting supplemented with 2× 54 watt B+ on ATI ballast. I'm very pleased with this combo it is producing some very nice results.

 

[jdraider75]

I run 2x250 watt Radiums on a blue wave 7 ballast with one vho white actinic and one vho super actinic. This is my favorite combo in my 13 years in the hobby. Pinks, blues, oranges, and greens all pop like crazy growth also is great.

Well I picked up a coal vue 660 ballast and some vho end caps but I can't find any super actinic vho bulbs. Where do you find them? I have to end caps and bulbs so I can go either way. I am gonna run the radius by them selves for a while and see how it goes but when I build my light rack I want to already have everything mounted and ready if I want to run them. Just got to figure out to or vho.

 

[jdraider75]

I am running 2 × 250 watt Radiums on lumatek hqi setting supplemented with 2× 54 watt B+ on ATI ballast. I'm very pleased with this combo it is producing some very nice results.

I have galaxy ballasts gonna run on hqi setting. Just figuring out vho or t5. T5 I will probably run 2 blue plus and 2 true actinic or maybe an aqua blue special i have spares to experiment with. Vho gonna do 2 super actinic if I can find them.

 

[SeargentSlice]

I have galaxy ballasts gonna run on hqi setting. Just figuring out vho or t5. T5 I will probably run 2 blue plus and 2 true actinic or maybe an aqua blue special i have spares to experiment with. Vho gonna do 2 super actinic if I can find them.

http://www.aquatictech.com
I used to get all my VHO bulbs here last time I was in I believe he still had t12.

 

[oldreefer76]

http://www.aquatictech.com
I used to get all my VHO bulbs here last time I was in I believe he still had t12.

Yep they still stock a lot of vho was in the shop a few weeks ago

 

[jdraider75]

Alright thanks. I sent an email to check. Thanks again.

 

[jay13]

Twin 400 watt plusrite 20k on m59 ballasts with two 110w actinic vho on icecap 430. switching to three plusrite 250 watts and the vho for better coverage on a six foot tank. Radiums are awesome but $$$.

 

[ct_vol]

I run Radium's and and a pair of Super Actinic VHOs. It's my favorite combo, but I'm intrigued by the guy that runs one Actinic White.

 

[jdraider75]

I run Radium's and and a pair of Super Actinic VHOs. It's my favorite combo, but I'm intrigued by the guy that runs one Actinic White.

I am wondering how that would look also. How long do you run your vho?

 

[jminick2]

so did I miss it or are you putting 2 400w halides / t5 combo over a 120g? or are you using 250w

 

[ct_vol]

I am wondering how that would look also. How long do you run your vho?

One comes on 1100, second comes on at 1200. MH's on at 1230. MH's off at 2030. First VHO off at 2100. Second off at 2200.

Going to be in the Quad Cities Friday. Going to try and check out that store you suggested.

 

[jdraider75]

Yeah. Definitely check it out. It's a good store. Thanks for the info.