CR Member
You and I were talking about that on another thread somewhere...... I found those epoxy filled ballasts from Advance that will fire 2 400w MH bulbs. Gonna try to rig that setup first first and if I need more light then I will have to add. I think that 2 400w 10000 k bulbs and maybe a CF for actinic would work for that deep of a tank. what is your take on it?
The days are long and the work is difficult but every night I sleep as a man who has achieved his goals.
CR Member
Yup I remember the ballast conversation. My concern would be with the depth of the water column. Remember at 19" your lighting loses 50% of it's intensity, and for most 400w bulbs that means most the red end of the spectrum will be just about nonexistant at 24" and below.
Bulb choice with enough PAR will be critical to reach the deeper depths.
On the other hand if you are planning on nothing but softies and some LPS you may be okay, but 2x400 is barely going to net you about 3-4w/gallon total. That's with the majority of the coral at midline or above in your tank. On the other hand 2x1000w halides would be fantastic, though not practical for heat or the 'lectric bill.
The nice thing is your tank is 30" deep, so that leaves you with a lot of options as far as lamp placement goes. I'd think 3x400w (or maybe 4x400w) would yeild far better results.
The PC's for supplements have been working out well for us.... though I'm going to increase ours up from 4x65wto at least 6x65w, probably just jump up to 8x65w and mix in some Actinic 03 with the 460nm tubes this time.
They really need to come up with something between 400w and 1000w for halide lighting purposes, maybe some 750's or something. Then again maybe it's better if they don't, or I'd have to upgrade yet again.
Every electronic device is manufactured with smoke stored deep inside... only a true genius can find a way to set it free.
CR Member
#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#I wouldnt mind me a 250! Wow. That would take up my whole bedroom! Congratulations on your new purchase!#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#
120 Gallon Reef With Starfire Front, 2 overflows and 30 Gallon Sump. Mag 18 on the Return. Lit by Aqua Light Pro Deluxe. 2 250 Watt HQI Halides and 2 96 Watt PC Actinics all in one. ASM G-2 In-Sump Skimmer. 2.5 years in the making.
CR Member
I'm off to the big D to pick up the tank today! Hope you guys can make it a day without me in the chatroom!I'll talk to everyone later!
The days are long and the work is difficult but every night I sleep as a man who has achieved his goals.
CR Member
You had better get that camera figured out so we can see some pics of that bad boy
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