HQI 150 10k or 250 20k Radium

[tendar]

I am setting up a 37 gall sps-clam tank with a 5-6" sand bed and cpr hangon refugium with miricale mud. I am trying to decide which light to use.
Either a 250 watt 20k raduim or HQI 150 watt 10k double ended Halide. The water depth with be only 15" max depth from water line to sand.
With the HQI i can probably set it faily close to the water surface like only 3" inches away. That is guessing that with the housing it wont put as much heat into the water as the 250 20k radium.

 

[bigtank]

The 150w 10k double ended are awesome bulbs. I use a pair on a 70 and they are deceptively bright, enough to keep anything. They last 12-18 months. The 20k are supposed to last 6-12 months depending on the type of ballast used.

I am willing to bet that the 150w HQI is brighter than the 250w 20k also.

 

[bradwent]

bigtank,

I am considering getting 2x150 HQI and wanted to know if you are having any heat problems on your 70? Do you use a hood with the lights mounted in it or just suspend a self-contained light unit? I have a 72 and am very interested about the heat before buying 2 lights to mount in a three sided hood.

Also, what distance from the water do you have the lights?

Thanks,

 

[newreefman1]

I had a 150 watt HQI first 12k then 10 k for a short time.

The HQI especially 150s are beautiful bulbs. I got over a year on the 12k and the spectrum was superb. I felt the 10k was a bit yellow but the corals actually seemed to like it better(might have been more intense since new too).

I had it in a pendant on an 18 tall reef and kept my tank at abour 85 because of the heat. It gives off some yes, but manageable with a fan if in a canopy. I had it about 8" from the waters surface as well.

IMO they are superior bulbs to anything I have ever seen. I wish right now I had em...but I have VHO for a larger tank

GL
Jason

 

[bigtank]

My setup is an Aqualine Buschke Aquastarlight. It sits 4" above the tank and the bulbs are maybe 6" from the waterline.

This system warms the room more than the tank. I've never seen the tank temp above 78 degrees. Evaporation is the only "problem" with my lighting, about 1.5 gallons per day topoff.

 

[bowfront]

bigtank

What kind of heat do the 150's throw in comparison to other MH bulbs if you know?

bradwent

I have a 72g that I am seriously considering adding 2x250 HQI PFO mini pendants to but if I can get by with 150's instead that would be nice. Was planning to suppliment whatever with VHO actinic just because I have an Icecap 660 already.
The pendants would be mounted in a 3 sided canopy.
Have you done your homework on this because there seems to be little difference in price between a 150 and 250 mini pendant setup. BTW, I ran the same PC setup that you are using now (saw your post last night) for a while before going back to VHO.

newreefman1

What size tank were the HQI's on and did you suppliment with actinic?


Just curious to find out whatever I can about HQI's before I spend more money on lighting

[ January 09, 2002: Message edited by: bowfront ]</p>

 

[bradwent]

bowfront,

This may end up being long winded but here it goes...

Disclaimer: I do not claim to be an expert on the subject but I will relay what I have come across. I have not kept any type of references because I was not intending to write any type of formal paper, so please take this information as just someone’s investigation with intent to purchase a HQI set-up. If anyone feels that this information is incorrect, I would appreciate a respectable response.

With all that out of the way…

The information I have read is from this board, RC, Group:rec.aquaria.marine.reefs via Google groups and through various searches on the web . Another source is from an E.E. in my reef club with the screen name of spasse on RC.

What I have found is that most references claim, for overall intensity, the 150 HQI lights are comparable to most 250W double jacket mogul metal halides. Keep in mind that there will be exceptions and some manufacturers produce better bulbs/ballasts than others. Although I have not found a quality source, it stands to reason that a 150 HQI should put out less heat than a 250W double jacket mogul metal halide. I was also led to believe that the 150W HQI is more efficient than a 175W double jacket mogul metal halide which would also lead a person to believe that the 150W HQI would put out less heat than the 175W double jacket mogul metal halide. Do remember that the HQI double-ended bulbs are only single jacket and need to use UV protection via a UV shield.

Personally, I don’t believe I have a need for 2x 250W HQI plus 2x55 pc 03 actinic for my 72 gal. I don’t want to have to consider a summer battle against high tank temperatures. These are my reasons that I will probably go with the 150 HQI’s. But, as you can see, I am still in the process of gathering information.

Two places to buy equipment for DIY that I have currently found are:

Hello Lights (formerly Lampsnow)
Premium Aquatics

 

[bowfront]

bradwent,

Thanks for the reply. That's pretty much what I have read and heard. It's nice to hear that those using the 150's seem happy. I should probably be thinking more convervatively also, since I don't have/want a chiller. If indeed 150w HQI double ended = something like an Ushio 250w mogul you're right that should be plenty of light for a tank our size. Whatever I buy will be through PA just because I like Jason and have already promised him this upgrade for advise rendered. Decisions, decisions.