Lighting upgrade ?

leboeuf

leboeuf

Member
Alright, I am upgrading lights this week to MH's. The LFS suggested I buy 3 - 250W Icecap ballast w/ 3 10K bulbs. Then buy one VHO ballast for 2-145W blue 3 bulbs.
My tank is 6 ft long and 28 in deep. I want clams with corals. This lighting combo equals 825W MH & 280W VHO for a total of 1105W. This results in 5.1 W per gallon.
Here is the question, can I save $$$ by buying 2-400W MH instead of 3-250W which will result in close to the same watts per gallon? Will the two bulbs still reach the depth and width of the 3 bulbs. Also, I can't find any 12K bulbs for a 250W ballast, why? Do they not manu them?
Thanks for any input...........
 
mikegray

mikegray

Member
DVS, this is mggray87. im doing some tank pricing with a guy in UK. i need to tell him what i want. i need to show you a pic of the tank/stand/canapy. i need you to tell me if i need the canapy bigger for lighting.
and i need to tell him to put a built in overflo for me and where i want the holes... contact me pretty fast. wanna get this priced out. heh
mike
 
leboeuf

leboeuf

Member
DvSkin- got it. I done a search and found many of your comments to be very helpful. I have found a couple of site that suggest a 400W for anything deeper than 24'. Your thoughts? Should I go with 3 250's instead of 2-400's? I attached a pic of my tank to help with the dilemia. Look in the middle of the tank. I have a hugh "skybridge" between the two end reef's. I won't be able to get much light under the area under the rock. So this will most likely be "dead light area" right? Or is there another solution? I will most likel remove some top rocks to make room for added corals, clams etc.
Do you have experience with 12K sumburst bulbs? I want a blue look. the literature on 10K say they are true white light........
I also will be adding moon lighting later.
 
mikegray

mikegray

Member
trust me. by the time were done. your gonna have me on ignore. im the big SWF bully. i never stop talking i ramble on and on. im very careful :) i dont want to waste MONEY on this new tank like my last one. i want all the info and best info i can find. but watch.
learn to kno me heh
im gonna have like ignoring my messages cause i talk to much and you wont get freedom
ps
u better block AIM name mggray87 or your dead! hehehe;) *evil*
 
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