Lighting Choices Final Choice Need Help

CurrentUSA sells used and refurbished units on ebay for about 1/3 to 1/2 of the normal cost. Outer Orbit HQI/T5HO 48" 2x150 W 10K HQI Model # 1072B - eBay)

Incase you want to save some $$.

 

I would absolutely go with the 150 watt fixture. If you do that with nice bulbs, there's nothing you can't keep and grow.

 

The 150s and 250s arent MH they are QHI so my not knowing the difference am still unsure as to which way to go...What is MH and what is QHI?

 

hqi is metal halide. There is hqi and single end along with other types. The only reason I don't like hqi is having to shield them. I like to leave my bulbs open. The shield is built into SE bulbs.

 

Would you break that down some. What do you mean shield them? Are the HQI extremely bright? So much that things wouldnt grow as they would under other lights?

 

HQI lights don't have a built in UV shield as the SE bulbs do. The UV rays are extremely harmful to coral and fish alike, so they must be shielded. Are they brighter??? Depends on bulb, reflector and ballast. This is just one mans opinion though and I wouldn't take it as Gospel.

 

go with the fixture you like regardless of HQI vs MH. if you buy an HQI fixture, it will come with a glass shield. its just a clear shield over the bulb.

 

Dual 150's will keep a clam. You could keep a gigas or derasa in the sand, or a maxima/crocea in the top 2/3 of the tank without any problems, if you are using good bulbs. With poor bulbs it will not be as easy to keep clams.

Kim

 

What ever you do,, if your Rocks and or Corals are going to be stacked toward back glass..

Place the Fixture where it is More toward the rear. This will Put the HQi/Halides right above the Rock corals and keep algee to a minimum on front glass.

Ive seen clams thrive under 150's with 12k -20k bulbs. 10k's kinda wash thier colors out.

 

i have used both halides and t5. i like the t5's much better. more versability with using actinics. bulbs last longer, way cheaper, seems to be almost as bright as halides. i never tried clams so i can't say anything about that, but i don't see any problems with them and t5 ho fixtures. i have the nova extreme 8 bulb with 4 moonlights over my 75 gallon and absolutly love it. super bright. the white moon lights, i think are too bright. would be great with a lunar control module to simulate the moon phases. independant switches for daylight bulbs and actinics with two built in fans. brand new for around 400.00