Single vs Double End MH

[edd]

hamilton all so makes one, i think its under 1000

 

[brick-brothers]

What brand ballast would yall recommend? also would yall recommend blue T5 bulbs over blue leds to use as a combo with the mh?

 

[Jim]

would the (3) 400w be over kill?

How deep is your tank? I'm running 3x 250w over my tank plus 4 VHO's

90% SPS and my growth is too fast. I have 1 x 400w Radium over my frag tank and the growth is even faster.

I like the growth rate with the 250's better. I'm constantly timing as it is.

 

[pauliwalnuts]

Overkill, from my experience in a 24" depth tank, hell yeah. Anyone who had seen my tank when I had the 400's could tell you the coral grew insanely fast but they were very pale in color, even with the right acclamation. Deep water acros would have to be put on the bottom to the sides, basically shaded areas. Unless you're looking for more spread cause your tank is 36" or more wide and your looking to raise the fixture to get that spread then it makes sense, otherwise nah.

 

[pauliwalnuts]

Florescent light over LED for supplementation. Much easier to swap out a bulb to play with colors than LED chips.

 

[brick-brothers]

ok thanks guys

 

[spsfreak]

I all ways like double ended bulbs
Nothing like a 14k phoenix bulb

 

[brick-brothers]

I all ways like double ended bulbs
Nothing like a 14k phoenix bulb

hows your growth with the DE bulbs?

 

[brick-brothers]

Does anybody have/ know about the dimmable ballast for mh fixtures?

 

[brick-brothers]

ok fellas, my birthday is coming up and I trying to convince the wife to get me the mh's for my tank. So far on my wish list is: (3) 20x20x9 Lumen Bright Reflector (Black), (3) 400w Radium 20K, I just need a good ballast. Any thoughts?

 

[vio]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/LUMATEK-400-WATT-120v-240v-E-BALLASTS-/221516271332

 

[brick-brothers]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/LUMATEK-400-WATT-120v-240v-E-BALLASTS-/221516271332

I see that they have 2 types. ( Sun system and hydrofarm ) which 1 did you get?

 

[brick-brothers]

ok guys, my (2) 250w MH pendants came in today. How high should I have it above my tank? its 24" deep and sps dominant

 

[edd]

i have mine 9" above water level on a 27" deep tank.
i don't think you should go any lower.

 

[tomtoothdoc]

if i remember correctly, i had mine 14-16" above the water (from the bulb itself). you don't want any splash on the super hot bulb.....i have seen a bulb exploded when a worker at the lfs accidentally splashed the water on it.

 

[edd]

if i remember correctly, i had mine 14-16" above the water (from the bulb itself). you don't want any splash on the super hot bulb.....i have seen a bulb exploded when a worker at the lfs accidentally splashed the water on it.

their should be a glass shield to protect the bulb from splash and its a special kind of glass that protects your eyes from harmful rays.

 

[brick-brothers]

thanks guys. I do have glass to protect the bulbs. So am I measuring from the bulb to the top of the tank or from the bottom of the fixture to the tank?

 

[edd]

from the bulb to water surface.

 

[vio]

I see that they have 2 types. ( Sun system and hydrofarm ) which 1 did you get?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/LUMATEK-400...77?pt=US_Hydroponics&var=&hash=item3394ec4dcd

Standard Plug Type

Also set like 12 "(even more up) above water level, mine r 400W, mean penetrate more ( deeper) then 250W , also depend what kind of SPS u got, some love 400-500 up some less than 400 PARs. I got PAR meter.
i measure from the bottom of the light fix, were was the max. output 2885 PARs.