What is the Best 400 Watt MH Setup?

[tanglovers]

Hi All,

Well we are going to be looking at upgrading our lighting with the new tank setup (the 220) since the 250 MH we currently have on the ends will not cut it on a 31" tall tank.

We are going to be looking at getting all new reflectors, ballasts, sockets and bulbs. Lets here some recommendations....we are looking for the best or near best. I would imagine DE bulbs with electronic ballasts but not really sure. Also what for supplemental actinics, currently running an icecap 660 ballast with 2 6' tubes.

Also if double ended bulbs what else is needed over SE setups....ie the glass that goes between the bulb and the tank.

Thanks,
Scott

[Diesel3443]

The best 400w SE Setup IMO is LumanarcIII reflector with a Radium on an HQI ballast.

[Orion76]

The best? How about Sfiligoi ACLS?

http://www.tmc-ltd.co.uk/aquarium/sfiligoi-lighting.asp

[Heinz]

The best? How about Sfiligoi ACLS?

http://www.tmc-ltd.co.uk/aquarium/sfiligoi-lighting.asp

i am afraid to ask, but have to know, how much is it ? didnt find it on the webside,

[Orion76]

You should be afraid, very afraid

http://www.homeaquaria.com/public/ca...p?cPath=29_209

[7thheaven]

[tanglovers]

Well ok lets reword this a bit LOL

What is the most common MH setup for the users of this board. What do you have and why do you like it? Basically looking to purchase a lighting setup in the next couple of months that we will be happy with for the length of time we have the tank (possibly forever). All of our other equipment should handle that period of time or close to it - Tunze Streams and BK 300.

Is SE or DE better?

[Orion76]

For 400w go with SE. I would recommend the Lumenarc reflectors if they are out of view.

Bulb depends on what your expectations / preferences are.

[tanglovers]

Orion,

I knew I could count on you to provide me with an option I would absolutely love...but could never afford. Thanks for giving me something to dream about!!

[moonpod]

for 400w MH, without a doubt the way to go is the LAIII reflectors and your choice of ballast (the Taiwanese "HQI" seeming to be the best and hardest to find choice in terms of driving the bulbs hard). The DE setups dissapointed in Sanjay's testing, and 400w DE bulb stability has been...dissapointing.

The ACLS is cool, but c'mon, that's definitely a if you've got LOTS of extra money burning a hole in your pocket kind of item.

Personally I use 250w DEs b/c well, it's plenty for my purposes.

[Orion76]

The ACLS is cool, but c'mon, that's definitely a if you've got LOTS of extra money burning a hole in your pocket kind of item.

Italians, they LOVE to go extravagant

[tanglovers]

Thanks for the followups. Look like we will be going with the Lumenarc III reflectors with the HQI ballasts. I did some quick searching online and found that the reflectors are typically sold by garden supply places and sometimes want to include the ballast. Anyone know of the best place to get the HQI ballasts and the Lumenarc Reflectors? Also I would need new sockets for the HQI bulbs right? I currently and running Mogal sockets.

Reflectors will be out of sight but could anyone give me some dimensions on them....have a canopy that sits ontop of the tank and want to make sure I can fit 3 of them in there.

For bulbs were are looking for a crisp white color and planning on possibly actinic VHO for a slight blue tint....what bulb matches these reflectors/ballasts the nicest?

Thanks!!!