Larry Grenier March 5, 2003 Share March 5, 2003 I'll be putting 2 of these over my 75 gal (20") along with 2 96w PCs or 2 110w VHOs (1 actinic and 1 50/50 or 2 50/50s). I'm not asking whether to go with single-ended or 250w. I've already started getting the process rolling on DIY. Here are my choices from HelloLights. A) 10,000K Ushio - $84 each B) 20,000K Ushio - $75 (Michaelg just put 1 over his 2# gal). C) 20,000K Radium - $84 D) 20,000K XDE - $55 on sale (HL says whiter than B or C). Your advice would be appreciated. ps. Grim, feel free to comment, I don't have to shop HelloLights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelg March 5, 2003 Share March 5, 2003 Probably go with the 10K Icecap make or resells one as well. With that much actinic, I think it will be real blue, unless you do what I plan to do and only use the actinics for sunrise/sunset effect (if you do 2 actinics). Actually, I think any of the combos will be fine. If you like the blue look, get the 20K bulb- I personally do not think it is too blue, others might. Really a matter of what you like IMO. I know nothing about some of the bulbs that are mentioned though. You could start with 3 fluoro bulbs (2 50:50 and 1 actinic) and play around with them and use the extra when the time comes for replacement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Scott324 March 5, 2003 Share March 5, 2003 I used the 20k Ushio over a 30 gallon tank and was very dissapointed, too dim. I would also suggest a 10k bulb, there is a world of difference, IME. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
traveller7 March 5, 2003 Share March 5, 2003 Ocean Encounter is selling the IceCap HQI 10K's at $49ea and was offering them to Reefland members at $45ea. btw: I am buying 10 150wt HQI's if you want to jump on an order to try and get some better pricing: 5 IceCaps from Ocean Encounter for <$49 ( I am on Reefland) 3 Ushio 5200s from Innovative Lighting at $35ea 2 Ushio Blues from Innovative Lighting at $53ea. Have fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Grenier March 5, 2003 Author Share March 5, 2003 Very interesting traveller7. I didn't know that Icecap had a 150 DE bulb... any reviews online? I'd like to see about getting in on a group discount. $45 is cheap if the bulbs are any good. I assume they use the same M81 ballast like the ushios and other de 150w bulbs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelg March 5, 2003 Share March 5, 2003 Yes the icecap bulbs do use the same ballast and socket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
traveller7 March 5, 2003 Share March 5, 2003 I have not tried out the IceCap 150 HQI's either but I need 5 for my lagoon and it is a pretty good price so what the heck :p The others are just for comparison, frag color retention, etc. I don't think the prices will get much better on these but we are fairly close by each other to skimp on shipping Drop me a wire if you want to jump on, I'll be ordering tonight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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