which hailide bulbs

hey guys and girls i am having a hard time making a decision as to what hailide bulbs i should use on my 1.5m x .700 x .700 tanl

i want to go with 150w DE hailides and am going to supplement with 2 x phillips .3 actinics and 2 x T5's

which hailides should i go with i have the following to choose from

aquamedic
blv
reeflux
coralvue


i want to put a coralvue 14k in the centre for sure but im not sure what whiter lights to use?

help!!!

thanks les

 

Leslie,
If my math is correct, your tank is 27 1/2" tall. If you are planning on keeping any sps corals I would go with 250w metal halides. That being said, I have no experience with the bulbs that you are suggesting to use. Is there any particular reason that you want to use these manufacturer's bulbs? I have tried XM, Ushio, and an off brand from a lighting place in Texas (probably a chinese bulb??) I couldn't really complain about any of them. The Ushio was probably the best as far as color and Intensity (PAR). Tangster has been trying out a bulb that he says has been working well for him. Drop him a PM. If he doesn't see this
You are in England or somewhere else other than the states right? I cant remember... Any way Enjoy.

Jim

 

I know this wasn't one of the brands mentioned but I made the switch from Hamilton's to SPS (South Pacific Sunlight??) bulbs and I love the color. I also saw an increase in growth rate after switching to these bulbs... Just a thought.;D

I also agree that if you're wantnig to keep SPS corals go with at least a 250 watt bulb...

 

It was the SPS bulbs that I switched to last winter and the 1.400 K kick and the coral growtt is outta sight. These are the best bulbs I ever ran bar none.. 8months old and still a perfect color no shift at all

 

I totally agree with Tangster. I use 400 watt 14k SPS bulbs and they make my corals look fantastic.

 

Me 3..;D I have a 30" tank and I go with 3-400w SPS 14k bulbs. With the water being that deep you might want to go with a higher wattage bulb especially if you are going to keep SPS's or clams near the bottom of your aquarium.
I use VHO Super Actinics and they are great, so bright you need 8)

 

Otty's not kidding. 8)

 

thanks for the response i simply only have those to choose from as they are basically the only "good" brands we have here in south africa...

les

 

guys my main problem is expense of running these bulbs as i am renting and feel it is unfair to put this expense on my landlord.. i will not be putting anything but zoanthids at the bottom the clams will be raised onto the rockwork...

 

Bulbs, by different manufacturer, of the same kelvin usually portray a different color. I have used Coralife 10000k bulbs that are bluer in color than 14000k Hamilton bulbs!
Zoos, believe it or not do require intense lighting for growth and vivid coloration, as they are mainly found in shallow regions of coral reefs. The actinic/bluer color bulbs bring out the best coloration in zoos and the fluorescing.
What kind of clam do you plan on keeping? Different types of clams require different light intensities and the position, either in substrate or within your rockwork is also pertinent to the success of your clam, IMO.