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Anonymous

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Tank:
-360 g the measures 78" x 32" x 38" tall.

Current lighting:
-4x 400 watt Iwasakis driven by PFO EYE ballasts (spaced at 16"intervals).
-3x 6' VHO actinics driven by an Icecap ballast.

Problem:
-I am just not happy with the lighting set-up. The VHO actinics are not enough to balance out the Iwasakis. Moreover, I have a real difficult time acclimating hard corals to the high light levels. Frankly, I think I have too much light in this tank.

Proposed solution:
-I plan to replace the 400 watt Iwasakis:
--Option one is to go with 250 watt Iwasakis.
--Option two is to go with 400 watt 10,000K bulbs (not sure which brand).

Either option should give me a much better color balance with the existing VHO actinics, and the cost will be about the same (I have to replace the ballasts in either case since the EYE ballasts only run 400w Iwasakis).

Any opinions on either of my options or any other suggestions?
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
How about going with 2X 400W Iwasakis? Or you worry about light drop off between the bulbs?
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
dupaboy1992":134dy7nt said:
How about going with 2X 400W Iwasakis? Or you worry about light drop off between the bulbs?

I thought about this, but that would require a re-design of the canopy and would result in the 2 bulbs being right over my cross-braces.
 

npaden

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I just switched from running 4 X 400W Iwasakis to 4 X 400W XM 10K's and am very happy with them running standard MH ballasts.

FWIW, Nathan
 

cdeakle

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I can't recommend the XM line enough. Very happy with my switch from the sunburst bulbs to the XM 20,000k's!!!
 
A

Anonymous

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>... result in the 2 bulbs being right over my cross-braces.

That's what I afraid. But did you consider the case if you take out two of the four MHs without relocate the rest? You maybe able to do that with a slightly different reflector, but I don't know how your canopy is setup....
 
A

Anonymous

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Thanks to all.

I'm leaning towards all new 400watt standard ballasts. Custom Aquatics has 400w Ushio 10,000K bulbs on sale for $80. Since I am going to keep the VHO actinics, I think the Ushio's will be a good combination.

ps - I will have a pair of 2 year old dual PFO EYE 400 watt ballasts for sale very soon. :)
 
A

Anonymous

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longtime 400w iwasaki user, just switched to xm 10k bulbs, very happy
 
A

Anonymous

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I took the plunge. I ordered 2x new PFO dual 400w standard ballasts and 4x Ushio 10,000K bulbs. If the Ushios were not on sale, I would have checked out the XM's. It should be delivered next week. Thanks for the help.

ps, I will be posting my 2x used (2 years old) dual PFO 400w EYE ballasts in the For Sale section for anyone interested.
 

ADS

Experienced Reefer
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A recent TOM had similar size 300g+ and was running 2-400W Iwasaki and 2-400W radiums staggered. It was nice blend of coloration and Iwasaki made up for PAR losses of radiums. Radiums are noticably duller next to Iwasakis.
With this setup you only have to replace 2 bulbs and ballasts.
Adam
 

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