250w DE

[dwdenny]

OK I am going to use a 250w DE HQI 14k bulb on the 45 breeder 36X18X16 with 2" sand bed.(I like sand beds sorry for those BB users). I was thinking that I could keep sps and clams in the middle and others on the ends does this sound ok. I was looking at the reef optics 3 pendant. Is this a good one or is there a better one (I know subjective but life is subjective). Any other suggestions on lighting.

[Tim Marvin]

Good choice! Coralvue also has a good reflector /pendant.

[Dozer]

I have the Coralvue 250w DE pendants, with 20K bulbs. I really like them so far!

Since you asked for suggestions, I would suggest talking to Greg (360Reef). He sells a lot of different lights and will also give you a lot of advice.

[dwdenny]

So there should not be any problems with keeping softies on the ends of this tank with 250w DE. Will it cover better then a retro SE. As I start to build my stand I will build into it a way to hang the pendant rather then a hood or canopy. SHould be fairly easy.

[Brett Wilson]

I wouldnt know if the light spread was better or worse SE vs DE... i'd assume SE was better, but then again, DE could be... I've never had a DE setup so I dont know.
However, I think you will be fine having LPS or softies at the edges with either light.
It probably will be visibly less bright at either end of the tank but I think there will be enough light there to keep most medium/low light needing corals alive and fairly happy.
Though of course the corals may grow faster/look better in the middle of the tank.
-Brett

[dwdenny]

After reading that I am sorry I misstated some things. I am comparing a SE retro in a canopy to a DE pendant. Not sure if they acn be compared or not. I was thinking pendant so that I could keep the top open with a clip on fan in the back blowing across the tank. I was thinking that the pendant wouls kep some of the heat issues away rather then a canopy with fans built in and partially enclosed.

Just with 14" not sure if the 250w DE is to much or not. I know you can never have to much light!!!!

[Tim Marvin]

There is no comparison. The DE bulbs are far superior to moguls as far as par, heat, and size. IMO DE is the only way to go.

[dwdenny]

Ok thanks Tim. SO will 250 DE be too much? I fell that it wouldn't but I don't wat to fry any LPS or other softies on the ends.

[Tim Marvin]

I beleive TurboBrett has used 400w moguls on a 45..? 250w DE put out almost as much as a 400w mogul so you should be fine. You can also build rock overhangs to help shade the sides. I have some LPS directly under some 250w DE.

[dwdenny]

Thanks answerd that question quickly thanks. I will be getting the 250 then. Know I have to contact Greg to see what he has and the cost. Will probaly add so actinics later if I need to I have ballast already for a NO 30-40 but I know it won't be enough. Once again thank you everyone.

[Tim Marvin]

A couple NO actinics should work fine. Greg does have some 54w T-5's though.

[aquadoc]

I used 400 watts and switched to 250 DE. Better quality, lasts longer, just as bright but uses less electricity.(Saves alittle bit on the electric bill!) I am using 14k coralvue DE. They are awsome, and look great. The heat generated by the 250 DE are tremendously less than a 400 watt system.
I just think that they are an all around great bulb. Newer technologie.
As far as comparing a 250 mogul to a 250 DE. The 250 DE would be almost twice as bright and intense as the 250 mogul. My friend is running a 72'' 3 250 mogul with compacts from Hamilton, I use the 72'' 3 250 DE with compacts, from Aqualine. Both running 14k's. When the two are compared me and my friend agree that the light I have is alot brighter. He is going to switch to DE eventualy he said. Good choice.
Also some of the best actinic lighting that I have personaly seen has been from a T-5 HO. (54 watt.)

[dwdenny]

Theonly thing is thatthe 54w are 48" or so I am dealing with 36" so I would have to go with the 39w whick is still nt a bad choice. I might go with ATI superactinics if I feel that I need to. Thats for the information I was just a little worried that the 250 might be a little too much but I am still going with them anyway.

[Polkster13]

You can never be too bright. :D I have a couple of DE 250 watt on my 150 and love them. Got them from Greg. Great guy to do business with.

[Brett Wilson]

Not to push the issue too much, but I too have done business with greg a couple of times and really enjoy working with him.

[dwdenny]

I will check greg out. I can get the reef optic III from oceanencounter.com for 259.00 shippend. But i will talk to Greg.

[Dozer]

Trust me, talk to Greg. He is great to do business with, and his stuff is also high quality. Also, depending on what you want to keep, I wouldn't assume you have to have two pendants for a 36". The DE pendants are pretty darn bright and the reflectors spread well. Plus, if you weren't happy it's easy to just add another pendant and you end up with TONS of light. Also, if you upgrade to a bigger tank later the pendants can so easily go with you. If you go retro it's a little harder to adjust later I guess. If you go mogul instead of the DE's (I much prefer DE's myself), I would definitely get two on the 36".

Also, have you considered going all T5? With a 36" tank I'd definitely consider it. There are a TON of posts on reefcentral about people keeping everything under T5's- in fact a lot of people complaining that they are too bright, lol! At least look into it.

[dwdenny]

I emailed greg so we will see what he has. I am going single 250 for now but like you said I can add another 250 or 150.

I did look inot the T5's but a lot of the SPS keeps say that when they switch from Halide to T5's the color changed as well and they are not liking the color change.

[Dozer]

Cool, I think it's good you considered them. Now go have fun with your Halides!

[dwdenny]

I am still not saying they are out of the question that is for sure. I think 4X39w T5 with 2 sun 2 aquablue and single no actinic would look great. Same cost as the 250 pendant. Greg told me that the bulb life is about 16-24 months WOW. But just not sure how softies and LPS would react like all the posts on RC of T5 caution. Sense I have not purchased any lighting yet nothing is out of the question.

[oceancube]

hey, well i personally think that a 250 watt se mh will work great on that tank, i used it on a 58 oceanic tank same measurements but only taller and my sps grew fast and looked great, 2 de pendants i think is overkill, you will have some heat issues forsure, just my opinion, all that par and other stuff i think doesn't really matter as long as they have some good light, remember that breeder tank you have is only 16 inches high + the 2" sandbed so 14 inches total, your about to cook some eggs with 2 de pendants!

[dwdenny]

If I go retro kit then it will be SE but I am leaning toward a pendant so it will be DE. I think that the DE pendants are better lights and i won't have to worry about having a canopy with a bunch of fans. I can just have a large clip on blowing across the tank.

[Tim Marvin]

I would do the one pendant and 2 / T-5 actinics.

[dwdenny]

Tim that is what I was thinking. But I am going to run the pendant alone and then decide if I want or need actinic light.

[Polkster13]

You can also use the actinics as dawn and dusk lights. Photo period would be Actinics come on an hour before the MH and go off an hour after the MH go off. Or something along those times.

[dwdenny]

Exactly Polkster. If (I mean when) I add them they will come on about 25 min or so before the Halides and vise versa. I had that on my old tank with PC looked cool but I did not have but a few shrooms then. Basically a FOWLR. I wish I hadn't sold all my stuff when i moved know. Besides the point any way.

[Polkster13]

Well, when the MH come on it takes a couple of minutes for them to go full on. It is not a super fast transition from completely dark to very bright. However, when they go off, there is a only slight lingering glow while the bulbs cool down but the change is pretty drastic, at least on mine they are. That is why I would highly recommend the actinics as well (Greg can give you are good deal on the T-5 setup as well) and put them on at the same time. That way you don't freak out the fish when the lights come on or go off and they will be less likely to jump out of the tank.

Just a thought.

[dwdenny]

WOn't be looking at too many fish with this setup. Mainly corals but you know there has to be a fish or two.