Metal halide question

[Mattl22]

Is anyone running a lg tank using 250w mh
And 400w mh

I'm getting close to placing my order with Hamilton for a 72" fixture and was thinking about getting 2 X 250w mh radiums with magnetic ballasts on either side and 1 400 w in the middle

Will it look funny too bright in the middle the fixture also has 4 80 w t5

The other option is just stick with the 3 250w but the par values 24" down I'm not sure if it's enough with sps

Any insight is greatly appreciated
Btw my tank is 72" X 24" wide X 30" deep all sps


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Zuska]

I like the first option with the 400w radium in the middle. it will be better Par with a 2ft tank for the sps and on the side you can have your aquascape higher for the 250w.

 

[Mattl22]

But will I need a chiller with the 400 w and will it look funny in the middle ?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[greg 45]

There are other using the 250 on the outside and 400 in the middle .If you don't like it you can change 1 ballast.

 

[Mattl22]

Good point Greg I didn't even think about that lol
They r relatively easy to change I assume ?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[MIKE NY]

Matt I know a few guys running that combo and it doesn't look bad. The 400 will bring out more color and growth, but as you mentioned the extra heat which is why I'm still running 250s.....

 

[bklynreef]

why magnetic ballast and not electronic?
if you go with Luxcore or hamilton electronic ballast you have the option of a switch for 250 watts or 400 watts.
as far as a fixture, if you have a canopy you have some great deals on here with guys selling great pendants very inexpensive. the look of 2 250's at the end and one 400 in the middle will not give it a uniformed look but thats my personal taste. if you dont like it with the option of an electronic ballast all you lose is bulbs not ballasts and bulbs.

 

[vio]

I try, all kind of Lights, LEDs, Metal H, 12 x 80 T5
Best is... Metal H 20.000 K Radium, great color , good growing , i have 3 x400 w and supplement w/some LEDs (home made) on 300 Gal.
Hamilton Tech. i don't think they have the BEST reflectors,
400 w ballast you may adjust to 250 w, winch is just fine for you size and SPS , if you like stop and see it b4 buy anything, Is no secret Metal H, release lots of heat, but Radium 20 K beat anything in my opinion.

 

[bklynreef]

I try, all kind of Lights, LEDs, Metal H, 12 x 80 T5
Best is... Metal H 20.000 K Radium, great color , good growing , i have 3 x400 w and supplement w/some LEDs (home made) on 300 Gal.
Hamilton Tech. i don't think they have the BEST reflectors,
400 w ballast you may adjust to 250 w, winch is just fine for you size and SPS , if you like stop and see it b4 buy anything, Is no secret Metal H, release lots of heat, but Radium 20 K beat anything in my opinion.

+1
no led or T5 can match growth and color of MH 20K Radiums 400 watt or 250 watt

 

[Mattl22]

Bklynreef only reason I prefer the magnetic is because I was under the assumption that it was the only way to run the 20 k radiums that are legend to most the hard core sps mh guys !
But I sure would love the option of a adjustable ballast for all 3 mh I will email Alexandra at Hamilton to see if this is an option for the Cebu fixture

I do have a canopy but was gonna go topless and just put this fixture on top of tank really want to keep it simple and also don't believe tank will be able to Handel new heat load with canopy and new light


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Mattl22]

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/6-ft-cebu-sun-250w-lighting-system.html
Here is link to fixture I'd like to order it's combo mh t5 all in one
I like the idea of a fixture rather then individual pendants no fuss no muss


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[vio]

+1
no led or T5 can match growth and color of MH 20K Radiums 400 watt or 250 watt

Not, to mention , the reflector , is one the most important.
You, can got 800 PAR or 500 PAR on same level, just dif. reflector.

 

[greg 45]

Not, to mention , the reflector , is one the most important.
You, can got 800 PAR or 500 PAR on same level, just dif. reflector.

Vio this is so true about reflectors. I switched over to ReefBrite and the difference was night and day. Sorry 4 the pun.

 

[Mattl22]

R the reflectors for Hamilton sufficient ?
What makes u say they r bad? Only info I could find says they r "high quality German aluminum"



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[MIKE NY]

I've been running MHs for years and tried many different combos. I did a lot of research before spending the $ on my current setup. The difference between running the magnetic M80s and electronic is they will run bluer on the electronic, but as mentioned the advantage of the electronics is some come with the select a watt for different wattage bulbs so you can save some $. I preferred the crisp white with a hint of blue from the M80 HQIs which are recommended by many for running Radiums.

 

[bklynreef]

If you can find the German hammered aluminum reflector that is the best you can buy. No hot spots created with those. My personal favorite and the ones i use because of its small foot print in comparison to those giant pendants is the Lumen Max 2 which they dont make any more.
http://www.saltycritter.com/lighting/sunlight-supply/lumen-max-2-metal-halide-pendant-reflector.htm

 

[Mattl22]

Thanks for the info guys I spoke to Hamilton and they don't offer the selectable ballast but there ballast r easy connect so I could always swap then out

The beauty to me of this fixture is I can get rid my canopy and the 5 lights and 2 fans hanging in it just put this all in one fixture right on top no diy t5 no hanging 3 separate lights it just seems easier


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[fishywoo]

Matt I use the 48" version of that light and love it. I run the duel 400w and 4 x 54w t5. Colors are good. Vio put a par meter on it for me some time ago I cant remember the numbers but they where impressive and that was just the just on the halides.

I run the 20k Hamilton bulbs and you could run them as stand alone bulbs. Nice color with just a hint of blue.

Some other things about the fixture it is heavy as are the ballasts. The fans are very good and help wtih the heat but are not silent. I don't use a chiller but run air-con in the summer. Hope that helps

 

[fishywoo]

Oh and one other thing the t5 bulbs that came with my fixture sucked with low par numbers. I traded them out for ATI bulbs.

 

[Mattl22]

Ty fish woo definitely helps
Does the housing for ur fixture get hot to touch ?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk