what lighting would you pick?

[Norm R]

If you were starting fresh, what bulb and ballast combination would you choose for a 30" deep tank? And why?

With the new tank on the way, I've begun reavaluating my lighting. I have 4 Lumenarc reflectors (which I love) so I'm locked into SE bulbs. I'm currently running standard PFO ballasts and may well stick with them because my growth has been good, especially w/ XM bulbs. But I am also considering the virtues of going HQI. I looked into electronic ballasts a little for my daughter's lighting but don't know a great deal about them.

Just curious what some of you think...

 

[CaveManNOhio]

I have Blue Line Electronic Ballast and love them. They have given me no problems at all. As for the wattage. IMO I would go up to the 400 watt 14k. To make sure you are getting full penetration to the bottom.

 

[zeppelin]

I'm running Lumenarcs with cap and coil ballasts. I was running 400 watt 20K XMs, and switched out to Hamilton 14Ks recently, as my bulbs needed changed anyways. From the looks of the corals on the bottom of the tank, I think they like the 14Ks better.

 

[Mantis]

Something you might want to consider is the 400 watt 20K Helios on HQI ballasts. The bulbs are not easy to get, but I'm ordering mine direct from the manufacture. Why should you go to the trouble? I'll tell you

More par than the Radium on HQI, almost as much par as a 400 watt 10K XM. (Sanjay's tests) The bulb is actually designed for an HQI ballast so your not overdriving it, like a Radium, so bulb life should be better. Here is what sold me, the color of the light is bluer to the eye than the Radium. Plus they only cost 79 bucks. I'm ordering 3 bulbs, if anyboby else wants to try one, let me know and I'll add it to my order.

 

[Norm R]

Great info guys, keep it coming. I'm pretty locked into 400 watt because of the depth, and a higher PAR bulb, but continue to be all over the board on color preference and ballast.