New Tank = New Lighting MH questions!

[jkeating2005]

Ok i Just picked up my new tank! Woohooo!

125g six footer

I have a Few Questions on Metal Halide Lighting.

i want to go with 250 Watt 10000K Double end bulbs in individual Reflectors

i also wanted T5 actinic bulbs 4x39

I have the Bulbs, Reflectors, endcaps all picked out!

I am down to choosing the ballasts. What would you guys recomend?

Thanks!

 

[dustin_P74]

icecaps

 

[yote]

+1 for Justin

 

[jkeating2005]

yes i am sorry i worded that wrong too. I am wanting to go with icecaps. Do they make a ballast that supports dual 250w?

 

[jkeating2005]

or do have to go with 2 separate 250W ballast?

 

[Melonbob]

I would go straight t5's......MH is old school......(;

 

[yote]

You'll need a ballast for each MH bulb.So if you've got 3 MH lights over your tank,then you'll need 3 ballasts.

 

[jkeating2005]

ok. i was just wondering because some companies make their ballasts to handle 2x250 watt bulbs

 

[LionFish]

Go t5 or LED!!!

If you have the money LED is the way to go
The Bulbs Last 4 Ever.. in the longrun it is Worth it ...

 

[jkeating2005]

are t5's that much better? i personally seen better color and growth out of tanks with MH lighting over T5's?

Hmmm.. this brings me to a tough decision.

Can i get enough Watts out of Just t5's for sps?

 

[Bifferwine]

My MH ballasts run 2 x 250 watt bulbs apiece.

You can easily keep SPS under T5s.

When I used to have T5s, my SPS grew a lot faster than it did under my halides when I switched over.

 

[Bifferwine]

Check out this fantastic deal:

https://www.livingreefs.com/forums/classifieds/16024-mh-ballast-and-light-hood.html#post168155

 

[Melonbob]

are t5's that much better? i personally seen better color and growth out of tanks with MH lighting over T5's?

Hmmm.. this brings me to a tough decision.

Can i get enough Watts out of Just t5's for sps?

I hope so, cause i'm giving straight t5's a shot on my 180 (72x24x24). 8x80w t5. The trick to t5's is to have a quality ballast, individual reflectors, and proper cooling. Get a light with all three of these and I'm sure you will be more than impressed.....

 

[Melonbob]

I've been giving out these links when I plug t5's, the first one is the bulb combo I think I'll run, and the second is the fixture I am awaiting delivery on!!!

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1437394

http://reefcentral.net/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1271003&perpage=25&pagenumber=22

 

[jkeating2005]

errrr.. I have nova pro t5's on my 46g and i love them any LPS i have put under them have grown well.

now i just have to debate with myself.

Thanks everyone for your information and recomendations

 

[Melonbob]

what are the dimensions of a 125?

 

[jkeating2005]

72 x 18x 22

 

[Melonbob]

Wow, only four inches shallower than my 180, I wouldn't have guessed. And aquatinics constellation would keep ANYTHING you wanted! I went with the sfiligoi though cause its 8x80w instead of 14x39w

 

[jkeating2005]

ok melon i am gonna take a look into those!


Thanks

 

[LionFish]

check out reeffreaks setup on his 210...

Thats some Quality t5 Lighting