This or That?

I am wondering which one should I get:

1) 195 watts PC (3 x 65 watts w/ workhorse ballasts) - ~$150

or

2) 223 watts Odyssea~$210


The concerning factors are, what can I keep, temperature and safety.

I've heard Odyssea's ballast caught on fire and that's a BIG no no. The price are not that much different, so it either one or the other.

It's for a 20 gal long reef.

Thanks!
GKW

 

IMO if you are willing to risk fire (yikes) I think that 195w of pc would be more than enough ^^

 

Do you think the 195w of pc enough to keep whatever I want? clams, and sps for the most part.

I am thinking about the 2x24 T5-HO too for $229 at reefgeek, but then I found out the bulbs are not included.

Thanks!

 

Well...here is what i have found. As alot of people know...the good old days of watts/gal are gone. Now with 195w over a 20 gal tank you will have above 9wpg. But IMO i really dont think that you will be able to keep a clam, besides deresa or squamosa for a long period of time. As for sps, i think that you should be ok for most of them...but with a 20 gal tank the lighting is not the only issue...the tank needs to be very balanced, are you planning on a sump? Also if you wanted to go with t-5ho i would go for more than 2x24...that would not be enough in my opinion.

 

Oh, sorry, I meant 4x24watt. If 54w = 96w pc. 4x24 T5-HO will be equavilent to 170.667 watts of PC. Does T5-HO have better light penetration than PC and will it be enough to keep clams? I am thinking about giant clam...gigas deresa I think, but I would like to have enough for Crocea or Maxima.

Yeah, it will actually be a ~50gal system...20 gal long sump (10 gal for backwash) and 24 gal rubbermaid fuge (will fill up to ~20). I think it should be no problem.

Is it hard to balance your 55?

Thanks!

 

Also, Bruce, I remember one of you old ballast caught on fire, I was wondering if it really was on "fire." Or, just smoking? and how was the damage?
Thanks!

 

Yes, there were flames We needed to replace the ballast...if it was because it was a used ballast and not in good shape or because it caught on fire...I'm not sure.

Also, The T-5HO are much brighter than PC, I had 260w of PC over my tank, and with only 98w of t-5ho (when only 2 bulbs are on) its almost the same brightness...with 4 bulbs on its amazing! I'm not sure about clams yet...but I'm hopeful. All of the corals that lost color when they went into my tank are regaining it. Even my neon green acropora is starting to turn green again. Right now the biggest improvement i see are my ricordias they are becoming extremely neon.

 

I would go with metal halides. Then you will definitely be able to keep sps's without them turning brown in color. You can also keep Maxima's and Crocea Tridacna Clams! Durasa and Squamosa Tridacna's can be kept under pc lighting though.

 

MAN!!! Decision, decision...want the MH, but can't afford a chiller and afraid ballast catching on fire.

I can make one 250w MH mogul socket, but I think that's a little too much for the 20 gal.

I think it's time to reminds myself - "Take it slow, let it grow!"

 

OK, after some calculations, I have decided to go w/ 4x24w T5-HO, but still have a few questions.

Here is the cost break down:
2 x ballast - 80
4 x T5 Socket - 8
4 x 24w bulb - 80
2 x Reflector - 42-46

Total = $210 - 214 (I start saving money on power bill after just 1 yr!)

Now, my question is about the reflector, first which one is better, Icecap or sunlight supply?

Second, can the reflector be cut in half? I am planning to get a longer one and cut it in half, so I can house 2 x 24w bulbs in one longer reflector individually. I might probably just get 4 right sized reflectors anyway, it's $24 more, but just want to know.

Third, is the "Triad" ballast from Universal Lighting good?

Forth, what combination of temp on the light bulbs should I get? I am thinking Giesemann 2 x 6000k and 2 x Actinic/Blue Plus.

These are the available bulbs.

Thanks!