Lighting troubles

[motogpnut]

I currently run a 250w m58 ballast with a se xm 10k bulb. I want to go to an electronic ballast and i need a new reflector as my lumenarc got salt spray on it and is now etched and pretty much the same as what i started with before i got it. I was wanting a touch more blue (even though the xm 10k burns at about 12k already) and was wondering if i should go to a 400w electronic ballast with an xm 15k or other bluer bulb,or just stay with the 250w xm 10k. My other issue is that my tank is a bare bottom 20" tall and 30" wide and I was wondering if the lumenmax 2 or new lumenmax elite from sunlight supply would be too focused or if they would have adequate spread (tank is only 20"high x 30" long x 18" wide). Any advice or suggestions? Thanks

 

[Master Shake]

A single 400 w bulb will run you about $35 a month in electric alone, besides the fixture. You will probably burn stuff with it. The 250 w is just fine, just get a new reflector, and get a ushio or a reeflux bulb, they are good. And how did you get salt on your reflector when you need a uv protector between the bulb and the tank?

 

[ClosetFishGeek]

A single 400 w bulb will run you about $35 a month in electric alone, besides the fixture. You will probably burn stuff with it. The 250 w is just fine, just get a new reflector, and get a ushio or a reeflux bulb, they are good. And how did you get salt on your reflector when you need a uv protector between the bulb and the tank?

Se don't require a uv protector only De.

 

[ClosetFishGeek]

I currently run a 250w m58 ballast with a se xm 10k bulb. I want to go to an electronic ballast and i need a new reflector as my lumenarc got salt spray on it and is now etched and pretty much the same as what i started with before i got it. I was wanting a touch more blue (even though the xm 10k burns at about 12k already) and was wondering if i should go to a 400w electronic ballast with an xm 15k or other bluer bulb,or just stay with the 250w xm 10k. My other issue is that my tank is a bare bottom 20" tall and 30" wide and I was wondering if the lumenmax 2 or new lumenmax elite from sunlight supply would be too focused or if they would have adequate spread (tank is only 20"high x 30" long x 18" wide). Any advice or suggestions? Thanks

I use Lumenbrite fixtures for this reason(as well as others)....they are 16 inches from water to bulb. No salt spray issues. An electronic ballast and a 12k-15k bulb will give you more of the blue you are looking for. As for the 20" height a 250 will give plenty of par in that tank...I get 190 at the bottom of a 30" tank....So you do not need 400's..way overkill regardless of what you are keeping in that depth. Pm me if you need further help..