Best Metal Halide Pendant for my needs? (1 Viewer)

[superman]

So I have read a lot on the mogul base lumenarcs, lumenmax, and lumenbright pendants. I absolutely want a pendant that has glass to protect the bulb and reflector from salt spray/dust. I am lighting my 90 galllon that is 3 feet long, 2 feet wide and 2 feet tall.
I already have a 400 watt blueline e-ballast which I'll be using. What I am currently leaning towards is the lumenmax mini with the bottom of the pendant sitting about 16" off the water surface to give me good light coverage.
Anyone have any opinions to sway me otherwise? Just wanted to put the feelers out and get others opinions before I pull the trigger on the "perfect MH pendant" for the 90 gallon "cubish" tank. I will probably be doing some sort of Actinic supplimentation, if not with LEDs, then with VHO. I am looking for bulb recommendations too, I have not used 400 watt MH bulbs long term on any system I have ran, so I appreciate any guidance on bulb choice.

 

[Becky]

Im in total love with the omega sea lighting.

Your more then welcome to come check out mine

 

[smeese]

If you can avoid glass coverage there will be alot less UV/UVB blockage from the glass that filters it out. If it is a fish only system no worries but if you are sporting corals and other photosynthetic items you will use some of your light par to the glass. For bulbs I like the Radiums. Go 20k and no actinic will be necessary unless you want things to warm up a bit first before the halides kick in for the day. Hope things are well Paul! Steve

 

[thepollock]

Im in total love with the omega sea lighting.

Your more then welcome to come check out mine

that's kind of hard when he lives in Kansas!!!

 

[veloboy]

I like the lumen Brights. I don't think you'll lose a lot of par with a glass panel over the pendant.

check out this thread page: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1384067&perpage=25&pagenumber=37

If you scroll down about half way through the page Melev posts his par values. Melev has the Lumen Bright's over his tank. I think he's running 2 x 400 watts on the outside and 1 x 250 w in the middle. I know Lumen Bright does make a model that comes with a glass panel it's like $30 bucks additional, but worth the price in my mind.

Hope you can access the thread page.... Hope this helps.

 

[superman]

If you can avoid glass coverage there will be alot less UV/UVB blockage from the glass that filters it out. If it is a fish only system no worries but if you are sporting corals and other photosynthetic items you will use some of your light par to the glass. For bulbs I like the Radiums. Go 20k and no actinic will be necessary unless you want things to warm up a bit first before the halides kick in for the day. Hope things are well Paul! Steve

I suppose you lose a little bit of UV/UVB with the glass. I could avoid this by using a double ended bulb that needs glass on the pendant, that way I am not doubling up on UV shielding. I really only want the peak lighting period to be about 5 hours long, with actinic supplimentation on a couple hours before and after.

 

[smeese]

You actually lose a lot depending on glass thickness and color/clarity. I would imagine that if it is glass that came with a hood as oppossed to getting a piece from a glass shop then you should be good as I would hope most companies will take this into consideration. You have a great idea of solving the problem with the DE though. Keep us posted as to how it is going.