Which light for a 30" deep tank?

[BJJ]

1. Giesemann ECO230 - (2 light) 250W HQI

2. Aqualight Pro (2 light) 250W HQI

3. Hamilton ReefStar (2 light) 250W DE

4. Hamilton Reefsun (2 light) 400W SE magnetic Ballast

Which one would you choose?

BTW I would like to keep softies, LPS and 'some' SPS's

 

[Nanook]

What is your budget? Budget permitting, I would go with Giesemann because they are absolutely beautiful and made with exacting detail.

Nanook

 

[Nanook]

[moved]

 

[nitratesucks]

I run the hamilton 250 10 000k. They seem to penatrate just fine. Im thinking switching to the 14 000k. Im still reserching that though. Oh buy the way yes my tank is 30'' deep to. I wouldn't use any less wattage than 250 from my experience's.

 

[KH971]

400's all the way, of course it depends on what you want to keep also.

 

[Bebo77]

at 30" deep you have to run 400 if you want to keep SPS..

 

[mm949]

i had 400w 14k on my 36"H 310gl and many of my corals including sps started to bleach....changed to (4) 250w SE 14k and 660w vho....corals doing much better....thinking about switching back to ushio 10k....got much better growth in the past...

 

[SDguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7019700#post7019700 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Bebo77
at 30" deep you have to run 400 if you want to keep SPS..

A blanket statement which is not true, IMO. Many people have success with SPS without 400W on 30" tall tanks.

FWIW, I chose 250W DE in PFO reflectors for my 30" tall tank. 14K at that, but I only plan SPS in the upper half.

 

[skriz]

i'm going to run 250w se 10k xm on mine (34"H).

 

[gcarroll]

You might want to consider the Sunlight Supply Maristar. It has the same reflector as the Reef Optix III which will outperform any of the lighting systems you listed.

 

[BJJ]

Anyone comment on the Hamilton Reefsun 250HQI quality?
I have read some posts where people either love them or hate them... Im confused?

 

[SDguy]

I've used the hamilton reefstar (250W DE bulb). I've heard it's not the best reflector out there, so you won't be getting all the bang out of your buck using a DE bulb. I personally thought it was OK, but gave to much light spread (ie - if my tank was 2ft front to back it would be great). Never used the reefsun (SE bulb). Sorry.

hth