Lighting for a 150g Deep

So, one of my 400W IceCap metal halide ballasts just died. My canopy is currently set up for 2 x 400W MH + 2 x 54W T-5's. My tank is 31" deep, and I'm growing SPS right by the sandbed.

Anything any of you would recommend? I'm not convinced with LEDs yet, especially for that deep of a tank. I've heard some bad reviews with the Cannon LEDs. But...I'm open.

Thanks in advance!

i have the same tank as you and am using 350w of leds. it is diy but i copied the radions. Although my tank has nothing in it right now i am anticipating that i will be able to grow sps wherever i want.

The last question was directed toward anyone.

I know little about DIY LED fixtures, but from the people I've talked to and the forums I've read the Radion Pro is the best bet for SPS. Would love to try one, but just can't justify the price tag at this moment.

I'd talk to Laird. He had a DIY LED system over his 90 (I believe that's what he had), and he grew amazing SPS, LPS, etc.

Wow, Reef'd up has a question for once!  Usually you are the one supplying all the answers :)

Honestly, I'd probably replace the ballast.  You're likely thinking since it went bad, perhaps its a good time to try something else, if so - perhaps you could run a radion on one side of the tank and see its effect compared to the MH?  Pretty expensive test though.  Lighting is a hard commitment to make.

Another idea - some people are really against t5s on deep tanks, but the latest and greater ATI Powermodule Hybrid LED system is something I dream about and it would seem to pack enough of a PAR punch to keep you happy. 

Good luck with whatever you choose. If you do the LEDs, let us know how it goes.  Something still doesn't seem right with the tanks I see run them, but still interested in taking the plunge.

I would go ati t5s, if you wanna drop some cash go ati led/t5 fixture

If your planning on going led, for me personally, I would still add 2 t5s. Talk with allen bishop, amazing tank, amazing color from corals, and great growth.

But then again its up to you in the end. For my new tank I am having a TEK fixture, cause I got a sweet deal on it. But when bulbs need to be replaced I am either gonna go ati t5s. Or a DYI led/t5 fixture. Still undecided

bur01014 wrote: Wow, Reef'd up has a question for once!  Usually you are the one supplying all the answers :)

Yeah, yeah...I knew someone would make that joke! LOL. But, I'll admit where I'm clueless. Lighting is one of those areas. Metal halide has worked well for me...so I've stuck with it.

bur01014 wrote: Honestly, I'd probably replace the ballast.

Well, that's why I'm looking to try something new. The ballasts are IceCap, which are no longer around. If I replace one ballast, it won't give the same color spectrum with the existing ballast. Plus, I don't have much faith the remaining ballast will last much longer.

bur01014 wrote: Another idea - some people are really against t5s on deep tanks, but the latest and greater ATI Powermodule Hybrid LED system is something I dream about and it would seem to pack enough of a PAR punch to keep you happy.

 

Huh...I'm not familiar with that one, so I'll check it out. Thanks!

As you also mentioned, I'm not completely convinced with LEDs. I've seen some amazing tanks with them, but I've also consulted on tanks with issues running LEDs...where I couldn't find anything else wrong. They all had the same symptoms. I try to keep an open mind though and not blame the lighting...but it's hard to not wonder....

I own that fixture now and its awesome more than happy to come check it out.

Snowsrfr wrote: I know little about DIY LED fixtures, but from the people I've talked to and the forums I've read the Radion Pro is the best bet for SPS. Would love to try one, but just can't justify the price tag at this moment. I'd talk to Laird. He had a DIY LED system over his 90 (I believe that's what he had), and he grew amazing SPS, LPS, etc.

I recently became impressed with the ATI T5, however my tank is nowhere as deep as yours and if I were going LED it would have been Radion Pro. The ATI combo is promising, and very much so but I know no one running it. Probably worth it but the Radions are oh so tempting.  

Edited by icenine - May 21 2013 at 7:38pm

24 deep. Your always welcome to stop by.   

ReefdUp wrote: Teknik777 wrote: I own that fixture now and its awesome more than happy to come check it out. Laird's old fixture? I saw that over his 90g...very nice. How deep is your tank? I'm really just concerned about my 31" deep dimension. Anyway, I'd love to see your tank anyway...and you're right down the road.