Best Lighting for 30x30x18 cube?

Hey all,

I've decided I'm getting a 30x30x18 euro-braced rimless 70g cube for my tank upgrade. My lighting will be suspended over it & I will need to most likely delve into MH's.

Since I've never researched MH's, I was wondering if anyone could recommend a good lamp set-up, I'm thinking 1 250w pendant would be ok for LPS, Softies, Clams, & mayve a few SPS. Since the cube is shallow I was thinking that would be enough light?

Also, do any MH's come with a dawn/dusk/moon set-up with LED's and actinics? Sorry, again, I've never researched this & I'm sure there are some knowleadgable MH folks on here. Also do I absolutely need a chiller or fans for just 250w in the Summer?

Thanks in advance!

 

Thinking about this set-up:

- SLS Lumen Max Elite Mogul or Elite HQI Pendant
- 250w Phoenix DE 14k bulb
- Ballast ?

I have no idea what ballast to get?

 

have you read through my build thread? I have a 93g cube (30x30x24) and I have all your answers in the first few pages of the build thread. My tank is SPS dominant also.

link is in my sig... VVV

 

if you go phoenix 14k then i would say icecap hands down... in my very knowledgable opinion with halides, that combo is one of the top three out there... if not the best. (but only in the DE version, SE is not as good)

 

Awesome, thanks soooo much for the advice, I'm going to check out your thread now!

 

If you still have any questions then let me know and I'll see if I can answer them

 

have you considered LED?

There are a ton of options for that size tank and none of them require a chiller or replacement bulbs, or even a ballast.

Def usually a larger initial investment.

I am going to be doing up a 30 gallon Oceanic Cube (NOT BioCube) with BoostLEDs - I'll let you know how it turns out.

ICECAP ballasts are fantastic tho!!!

 

I actually have not checked into LED's, I wasn't sure if they are too new to show long-term worth, tough call. I will look into them though, thanks for the advice as well!

 

We are certainly entering an era where we will look back and say either:

"oh man, remember when LED's first came out, how everyone thought they would be so good - but they ended up just making a few small companies a few quick bucks?!?!?"

OR

"oh man, remember when LED's first came out, how everyone thought they would be so good - and they actually ended up replacing every other form of aquarium lighting within only a few years!?!?!"


Sooo . . . that being said - I totally hear ya on being reserved about LEDs.

That is why I am trying on my smaller, just starting up tank versus my larger, 6month old tank.

 

absolutely agree, since they're new tech, unlike VCR's they're not all made the same. I have read some great reviews and some horrible ones & it's so 50/50 I just end up confused on if they're the next big thing, or just play things for rich folk.

MH def has so many user reviews/long term experiences that I may still end up going that route, less wondering.