Lighting Question for 220 Gallon

[reefhunter]

I wont run a 20k halide... too blue... I guess I am going to supplement with:

 

2 ATI BluePlus 39w T5 36" and 2 UVL Super Actinic T5 on an icecap 660.

 

I will stick with 10k halides.

 

What do you think? All I need is the endcaps, stand offs, ballast, bulbs and I am ready to go right?

Edited December 9, 2008 by reefhunter

[yauger]

I wont run a 20k halide... too blue... I guess I am going to supplement with:

 

2 ATI BluePlus 39w T5 36" and 2 UVL Super Actinic T5 on an icecap 660.

 

I will stick with 10k halides.

 

What do you think? All I need is the endcaps, stand offs, ballast, bulbs and I am ready to go right?

 

YGPM

[gastone]

IMO you can get the look you are looking for using just Radiums. This of course is predicated upon me knowing what you are looking for.

 

Radiums look much different on an M80 ballast than they do on an electronic ballast. Look at Chris's dedicated tank He uses electronic and the radiums are very blue (what many people would consider to be 20k). However, on an M80 ballast they are a very bright white, with a nice blue tinge (what people may consider 14k). Of course this is moot if you are using an M58 in which case the radium won't work (and if it does, don't expect it to work for long).

 

G.

[reefhunter]

Well now I dont know if I want to switch to radiums or supplement. If I can get what I want out of Radiums only that seems the way to go. ICE CAP 250 ballasts are M80 or electric?

[yauger]

ICE CAPS most deff... they tend to over drive the bulbs...

[gastone]

The M80 is the US spec'd ballast for the 250w radium. An electronic ballast will underdrive the bulb and shorten the usable lifespan. On an M80 expect to get 12-18 months of usage.

 

G.

[jamesbuf]

ICE CAPS most deff... they tend to over drive the bulbs...

 

 

Actually, only the newest generation of Icecap ballasts overdrive bulbs. The older generations run them very near 250watts. From what I've read anyways. Coralvue ballasts do overdrive bulbs though, which is why most people get a nice crisp white when running Radiums on Coralvue ballasts, as compared to the much "blue-er" look you get when running Radiums on the older icecap ballasts. Trust me, you're Coralvue-Radium combination looks much different from my older generation Icecap ballast - Radium combination. Big reason I'm switching ballasts soon. Unless I go to 400watters that is.

[yauger]

Actually, only the newest generation of Icecap ballasts overdrive bulbs. The older generations run them very near 250watts. From what I've read anyways. Coralvue ballasts do overdrive bulbs though, which is why most people get a nice crisp white when running Radiums on Coralvue ballasts, as compared to the much "blue-er" look you get when running Radiums on the older icecap ballasts. Trust me, you're Coralvue-Radium combination looks much different from my older generation Icecap ballast - Radium combination. Big reason I'm switching ballasts soon. Unless I go to 400watters that is.

 

I do admit that I like coralvue ballast, the prices are very fair for the 2009 models....

to comment on Gastones post... I have never seen someone using a radium bulb with decent par levels past 8 months...

[reefhunter]

I can get a dual Coral Vue ballast for about the same price as the ice caps... should I get the coral vue? Is that what the pros are doing these days?

[amay121]

Dude, reefhunter, are you not paying attention to the deal that Ice Caps giving us? Take a look at the members only section. You can get two IC 250W (new version) for under 2 franklins.

[gastone]

I do admit that I like coralvue ballast, the prices are very fair for the 2009 models....

to comment on Gastones post... I have never seen someone using a radium bulb with decent par levels past 8 months...

 

 

Probably as they they are being used on the wrong spec'd ballast, IE electronic.

 

From Icecaps forum on RC (even makes mention of radiums): http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthre...hreadid=1236502

 

Here's another linky from RC (PaulErik is the halide lighting guru on RC, much like Grim is the T5 guru. His company is a specialty lighting company doing architectural/commercial/aquarium installs and consults.) http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthre...mp;pagenumber=1

 

Here's another link which should help to match up lamps with manufacturer spec'd ballast: http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-03/sj/index.php

 

and from radium's website: http://www.radium.de/e/produkt_details.htm...on_s_pe_id=3889

 

Of course if you are using the 400w lamps than that is a different matter all together.

 

Garrett.

[reefhunter]

Amay... I am all over the deal but the dual 250 coral vue is the same price as 2 250 ice caps I believe... I am asking what is better for running radium bulbs...

[yauger]

dude thanks for the links! I have seen some of those... but must read up on the others...

[dschflier]

I just looked at the bulbs I bought from helo lights(just opend the box) and my 450 on my tank now is a radium but I bought 15k xm for the 450 and the 2 250s are 10k xms. If you are interested I will let you know what that looks like after I re-set up my tank.

[reefhunter]

ok that would be great... you mean 400 right?

[gastone]

This is what I was looking for regarding T5 reflectors.

 

From Grim on RC: ReefGeek >= Aquatinics > IceCap > Tek > others

 

G.

[ctenophore]

This is what I was looking for regarding T5 reflectors.

 

From Grim on RC: ReefGeek >= Aquatinics > IceCap > Tek > others

 

G.

I looked on Reefgeek and the only reflectors they sell are Icecap and Tek. Do they sell their own design and/or Aquatinics reflectors separately?

[gastone]

Justin,

 

I just e-mailed Greg at ReefGeek regarding their reflectors (or lack thereof). I will update as soon as I hear back.

 

G.

[gastone]

Here is the e-mail I received from Greg at ReefGeek:

 

Hi Garrett,

 

They are not available through the site yet, but you can purchase them by calling us toll-free at 866-295-9230. We can also substitute them into any our IceCap or Sunlight Supply T5 retrofit kits.

 

 

Warmest Regards,

 

Greg Morgan

 

ReefGeek, Inc.

310-329-8375

866-295-9230 (toll-free)

 

I've dealt with ReefGeek on a few occasions. Greg provides first rate customer service and a great product.

 

Garrett.

Edited December 11, 2008 by gastone

[ctenophore]

Thanks Garrett, I called and left them a message. I will also update this thread with what I learn.

 

Here is the e-mail I received from Greg at ReefGeek:

 

Hi Garrett,

 

They are not available through the site yet, but you can purchase them by calling us toll-free at 866-295-9230. We can also substitute them into any our IceCap or Sunlight Supply T5 retrofit kits.

 

 

Warmest Regards,

 

Greg Morgan

 

ReefGeek, Inc.

310-329-8375

866-295-9230 (toll-free)

 

I've dealt with ReefGeek on a few occasions. Greg provides first rate customer service and a great product.

 

Garrett.

[reefhunter]

Ok back to my tank! I think what I will do is stick to 10k bulbs, upgrade to all 250 ballsts and bulbs and add 4 24" T5 bulbs (2 sets of 2 bulbs) in between my halides to add blue. My tank is 7' long and 2' deep and it has 4 halides so it would be: halide, T5s, halide, halide, T5, halide.

 

What do you guys think about that?

[ctenophore]

Ok back to my tank! I think what I will do is stick to 10k bulbs, upgrade to all 250 ballsts and bulbs and add 4 24" T5 bulbs (2 sets of 2 bulbs) in between my halides to add blue. My tank is 7' long and 2' deep and it has 4 halides so it would be: halide, T5s, halide, halide, T5, halide.

 

What do you guys think about that?

 

If you mount the t5s so they are even with the bottom of your MH reflectors it should work well. Can you post a pic of your canopy?

[reefhunter]

yes I will.. need to find the camera battery... doh!

[reefhunter]

 

All 10k bulbs. The two on the outside are 175 watts and I want to put 250 watts.

Edited December 13, 2008 by reefhunter

[reefhunter]

What would YOU do?