Which Metal Halide?

[Reallybigtoad]

I'm considering adding 3 250W Metal Halide to my 180G reef. Tank houses a mix of soft and LPS, with a few SPS and 1 crocea clam. I'm currently running 600W of PC. 4 X 96W daylight, 2 x 96W 03 Actinic. I want to add the halides and switch the PC to 4 x96W 03 Actinic.

In researching, I've narrowed the selection down to the 6500K Iwasaki, or the 10,000K HQI. I'm not very fond of the yellow color of the Iwasaki, but I like the output. What do you folks recommend?

This will be a DIY conversion and I'm trying to save a few bucks. How many Xenia frags would I have to trade in for a halide set-up?
:lol:


thanks,
-todd

 

[CraigLampe]

I have had good luck with dual 400W Iwasaki over a 125 reef. Although I am a big fan of the SPS and the Iwasaki's just FEED these little guys!! They love it, but most of my LPS/Softies need to stay pretty close to the sand (that is, on top of my 3" Deep Sand Bed!! :wink:

I also had to get some actinic to balance out the color... 220W VHO Actinic (4' 110W bulbs x2) 8)

 

[Tanger]

I have 2, 250 watt Iwasaki 6500's with 2, 96 watt PC, 03 for a 90 gallon reef. I agree the 6500 is a smidge on the yellow side but everything in my tank loves it. I don't think I will change the set up any time soon. I have both SPS and Softies with no problems, also have nice growth on both....

 

[tonytooth]

It's funny you asked. I just setup a 180 2 months ago and I went through the same thing. I have 3-250's running on the new Icecap HQI ballasts. I also have 2-6foot actinics on an Icecap 430. I was originally going to go with Iwasaki's and I changed my mind at the last minute and went with Ushio's. Guess what....I hated them. My tank was a little too blue and was not bright enought. Needless to say I was dissapointed. I quickly switched to my first choice of Iwasaki's and what a difference. Alot brighter! I would deffinately tell you to go with Iwasaki's and if your not happy with the color then double up the actinics and have 4 of them. I like it with 2 actinics but I don't like it when a tank appears too blue. I think you will be dissapointed if you go with a 10000K bulb. The tank wll not look very bright. Take my advice and go with Iwasaki's and just add more actincs if needed. You will save money by buying Iwasaki's you can spend that extra money on another actinic setup if you feel the need. I should have went with my gut feeling first!

 

[Reallybigtoad]

Thanks for the replies. Any DIY Ballast recommendations for the Iwasaki's?

-todd

 

[Newts]

I have 3-250w 10000k hamilton MH's over my 180g AGA.Everything does great under them sps,sofeties.They are a crisp white color.Not really blue at all.In fact I've been wanting to add actinics,but the electrical curcuit I'm plugged into won't handle it.I'm in the process of getting that fix so I can.Been running this system for over a year and all my sps are doing great.Like I said they are a crisp white no yellow and not blue.I like the 10000k because you don't get that yellow color.I have two 160w vho 03's I'm going to add once my electrical wiring is set up right.I will stay with the 10000k Hamiltons.They are also soom of the cheapest prices for 10000k bulbs I've seen on the web.I also run them for at least a year before changing them.No problems.

 

[esmithiii]

With that much actinics I suggest going with the Iwasakis. That's what I use and I (and more importantly my corals) love them. I have 3x400W 6500K iwasakis and 4x96W pc true actinics and the tank looks crisp white, not yellowish at all.

Ernie