Ok need some Metal Halide help/recommendation

[MikeC]

I have never used Metal Halids and have no clue on what I need for a setup
Radium?
250W?
Ballast?
Lumenmax Reflector?
DE?
SE?
This will be for a new build a 30gal 24x24x12 BB Deep Blue rimless

Thanks for your experience and recommendations.

 

[Jaftica]

If your going to do radium bulbs, the se 250 watt look amazing on magnetic ballasts, nice crisp white with a hint of blue, that's what I use.

 

[brooklynfc]

Why not try a 150w Phoenix 14k bulb I really like the color and less heat issues then a 250w on a 12 inch deep tank. Just my .02

 

[SteveZ15]

I have the 14k ph also..I think the 20 are too blue,but those bulbs are different on different ballast.I have a fixture with everything in it so the 14 is nice for my unit.

 

[FMF0331]

When i was using mh, i had the hamilton fixtures 2 175w with 2 florescent tubes.

 

[MikeC]

Is it recommended to DIY or is something like this
http://www.liverocknreef.com/liverock/index.php?l=product_detail&p=8957
Better if one wanted to incouperate T5's & LED's?

 

[MikeC]

This is what I will be running it on (30rimless) I have room to put the light up higher if needed is 175w good to go with or should I run a 250w up higher to deal with the heat?

 

[Jaftica]

Mike, if you get a lumenbrite reflector, you can hang it really high, heat shouldn't be a problem then, however you will have light spill.

 

[jerl77]

Radium only way to go

 

[Reefcowboy]

Mike,

I started the previous thread a day or two ago(MH) and now as i went back to follow it, found it closed. I guess i missed the back and forth and never got the input i looked for . I see you have this brand new system. Will you be running it while you have the other set up? I guess it would be great to see it develop under similar hunsbandry and different lighting?
Maybe your experience can help me decide as i look forward to a MH for my next move.
Thanks and sorry im not following the main thread course here.

P.s. nice tank BTW

 

[Jaftica]

Mike, whichever reflector you choose, IMO go for single ended 250 watt radium and get an m80 ballast, or a select a watt lumatek e ballast

 

[E.intheC]

A 250 watt MH setup is going to be a TON of light on a 12inch deep tank man. Unless you hang the fixture up high and use a higher kelvin bulb (like the Radium).

 

[MikeC]

Mike,

I started the previous thread a day or two ago(MH) and now as i went back to follow it, found it closed. I guess i missed the back and forth and never got the input i looked for . I see you have this brand new system. Will you be running it while you have the other set up? I guess it would be great to see it develop under similar hunsbandry and different lighting?
Maybe your experience can help me decide as i look forward to a MH for my next move.
Thanks and sorry im not following the main thread course here.

P.s. nice tank BTW

Thanks
Yes this will be a second tank still keeping my 120 with the Led,s and T5's for now but this tank will definitely have MH.
Still not sure if it will be a LPS tank/acro quarentin tank? Or all Sps? Who knows
Will be BB also
I will start a thred when I'm ready right now I'm still putting ideas together maybe ill be ready over the winter?

 

[MikeC]

Mike, if you get a lumenbrite reflector, you can hang it really high, heat shouldn't be a problem then, however you will have light spill.

Think they have a 16" and a 22" would I be better off going with the 16 because of the high and spill? IYOP?

 

[MikeC]

Thank is 24x24

 

[MikeC]

Radium only way to go

Agree will be Radium

 

[Jaftica]

I'm using 2 of the lumenbrite mini's16x16 @ around 16" or so awl, my tank is 48x 36 and coverage is perfect, you definitely will have spill

 

[SteveZ15]

Thats a nice little tank,you have the skills put all crazy acros in there.

 

[Reefcowboy]

Thats a nice little tank,you have the skills put all crazy acros in there.

That would be cool...hope colors turn out like the ones i see in MH tanks...

 

[bigsink]

That Reefbrite pendant looks awesome. I was going to go for it a while back, but did not. BTW, using Radiums for years and no better way to go.