Yes, another lighting question!

[Tier2plus]

I hate to start another lighting thread but my seemingly endless research has generated more questions than answers for my current SPS project. Please help before I admit myself to a sanitarium! Here's the deal:

48"L x 26"W x 24"H Eurobraced Starphire

Lighting Option 1: 20K XM + M59 400W ballast in a Lumen Max on a 3 ft light rail

Lighting Option 2: 8 bulb Tek T5 set up.

Goal: Of course, best coloration/growth combination.

What pros and cons can you tell me about each option?

 

[SPStoner]

Option 1:

pros: excellent coloration and great growth for SPS with this setup. ( I use it myself, granted without the light rail, on my frag tank) Cheaper bulb replacement ( 1 halide vs 8 T5), and you will have room to add another halide if you want.

cons: heat



Option 2:

pros: better spread, somewhat less heat, although this is debatable. I have a 4 bulb T5 setup over a softie tank that gets quite hot.

cons: bulb costs, not much room for more light if needed




IMO, go with the halides for SPS!

 

[Wiskey]

Honstally I would go with 2, 250W XM10K MH and 4 T5 atinics, mix of true atinic and blue plus.

Whiskey

 

[Ti]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7720812#post7720812 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Wiskey
Honstally I would go with 2, 250W XM10K MH and 4 T5 atinics, mix of true atinic and blue plus.

Whiskey

Good choice.

 

[Tier2plus]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7719543#post7719543 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SPStoner
Option 1:

pros: excellent coloration and great growth for SPS with this setup. ( I use it myself, granted without the light rail, on my frag tank) Cheaper bulb replacement ( 1 halide vs 8 T5), and you will have room to add another halide if you want.

cons: heat



Option 2:

pros: better spread, somewhat less heat, although this is debatable. I have a 4 bulb T5 setup over a softie tank that gets quite hot.

cons: bulb costs, not much room for more light if needed




IMO, go with the halides for SPS!

Excellent info, thanks! I'm leaning toward option 1 as I already have a Lumen Max reflector What ballast would you recommend? The Lumen Max has a SLS socket with disconnects so to make things easier would a Blue Wave I work as well as an ARO M59 ballast with XM 20k's? Less wiring involved

 

[chadfarmer]

1 halide on a 4 foot tank correct

i would go with the t5 already had halide

 

[Tier2plus]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7722885#post7722885 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chadfarmer
1 halide on a 4 foot tank correct

i would go with the t5 already had halide

Yes, one 400W on a Lumen Max reflector but it will be on a light rail which will move the reflector from end to end.