Lighting purchase help

[FB]

I think I have pretty much decided to buy a MH retrofit kit. I'd like to go retrofit because I'm sure I'm going to buy a bigger tank sometime in the future.

First I have a 29 gallon 30 X 12 X 19 tank.

I'm currently running a Coralife 30" Lunar AquaLight Fixture

1 X 65W 10000K bulb
1 X 65W Actinic bulb
2 X 3/4W LED Lunar Lights

I have no problem with dismantaling this unit and using the parts along with the MH if that would be beneficial.
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From the two packages I have priced there is a $7 difference between buying a 250W package as opposed to the 400W package.

Would there be a reason to not go with the 400W. Can you overkill with the lights.

Some day in the future I would like to keep SPS.

The package I have selected comes with XM bulbs. The 10000K and the 20000K are the same price. Can someone explain why I would want to go either way. As above I already have a 10000K PC bulb. If that makes a difference.

The ballast in the package has a description as follows

- Tar style ballast (core & coil design)
- Up to 3 ballast mounted in a single enclosure
- 120V 6' power supply chord for each ballast
- Extruded heat sink enclosure for maximum heat dissipation
- Independent controls for each ballast
- Quick disconnect for each ballast

The reflector is 12" PFO and comes as follows

All retrofit systems come with an 8' quick disconnect chord to the metal halide ballast & stainless steel socket assembly (mogul based).

This package totals $260.00 CDN including shipping and taxes.

This fits well within my budget of $300.00

If it is stupid to buy this please tell me I won't be offended. If you need more information about anything please ask. I want to do it right the first time (Well I guess it the second time).

Thanks

FB

 

[FB]

Anybody???

 

[Len]

Hiya.

For a 29, i'd go with 250W. 400W isn't too much light if you acclimate the corals (most corals that is), but it is VERY hot. 250W is hot too, but 400W is that much hotter and you'll boil your tank without a chiller or lots of AC and evap.

20K is a blue-looking bulb. It doesn't have nearly as much output as the 10K (not even close) but for a 29 gallon, either will be plenty of light, so your choice comes down to how blue you want the tank. If i went with 20K, I probably would forego the actinics to save me the trouble but the 10K should be used with the actinics.