lighting

[manny]

I have some pictures but they always come out ALOT more bluer than what my actual tank looks like in person. I like the color but I'm curious to see what some 10K T5s would look like. Also, won't the XMs lose some of the blueness after they "burn in"? I'll post some pics

[JimD]

The XM will indeed get whiter as time goes by, you may in fact want to lessen the ammount of 10k determened by the age of the XM. I think youll be happier with the 10k's as opposed to the 03's. Heck, try it both ways, you can always return the one you dont like.

[Ross]

Yes it cracked from where they drilled it. Thad Zeigler glass did it. He was gonna charge $25 but the hole sucked so bad he only charged $15. It had chips all around the edges.

[matt]

Ross;

That ballast is fine; it will work perfectly for your set up. You also need the parabolic reflector with mogule socket they have on sale for $30, and a 400W bulb; probably try the XM 10000K for $70. That brings your cost to about $160 (extra shipping on the ballast) plus whatever you'll need to spend for a box and wire at H.D. This is the cheapest way to go for a quality mh set up. The PFO option at premium aquatics is about $250:
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merch...gory_Code=PFOr

Either way you'll get good lighting. The advantage with the PFO set up is that it's ready to go, and, if you get the parallel reflector, you'll get a better light spread for your tank; you need a fairly rectangular light spread. It'll cost a little extra for that reflector, but it did test better and fits your tank better. Plus, it has brackets for adding P.C. actinic support.

Okay, though, I think you really should get the tank drilled. Tamer, the guy at Aquatic Warehouse, does it reasonably. I don't think a mag 7 is a good choice for a return pump, it's way underpowered for your size tank and will definitely fail at some point if you use it as a return pump. Instead, consider a decent external pump that will put out about 800-1000 gph. It's your choice, but believe me, you'll be much happier in the long run with a drilled tank and a solid, reliable circulation pump. Water flow is every bit as important to coral health and growth as lighting is.

[manny]

Sorry for hijackin your thread Ross but hopefully this will help you decide on what kinda of lighting your gonna use.

Here's some pics. One of when I had two 96W pcs. One actinic, one 10K. The other of what I have now. 1 250W XM 20K and 2 39W actinic T5s. These are over my 30 Gallon

[Ross]

I do want to get my tank drilled, but my parents are not wanting to. There like" i really don't want you to do that, i won't drive you there". I will call aquatic warehouse and see what they can do. Unless i get some stuff sold, i won't be able to afford anything. LOL

[Tim Marvin]

JimD,
JimN isn't trying the 250 DE/HQI they are mine and I was going to try them... Good idea or bad?

[Henry]

Ross, I think you should get the tank drilled and get a larger pump, preferably an external pump. I don't want to start a family feud, but if your parents are okay with getting the tank drilled I'll pick it up and take it for you. Also does this tank have a center brace, I can't remember.

[JimD]

Tim, Ive heard nothing but good things about the 250w DE HQI, I thought you were already using those? Roger at Aqua Tech has some 250w hqi 10k pendents on his coral tank that look pretty sweet.