Giesemann Spectra questions

[jah-hoeva]

Let Nick help you match his light... just in case you don’t like it. LOL

 

[Abrooks12376]

This was a great read guys! Thanks!! Electric bills are real. My wife went from indifferent to insane after seeing that we use 261% more power than our neighbors . Which both shut their house down for the winter and go to a warmer climate... that lighting system sounds excellent and extravagant but don't get yourself in to deep here

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk

 

[cilyjr]

my electric bill went down $10 a month when i switched back to MH. My heaters were no longer cycling at 24/7

 

[joe0813]

i plan on ordering the light tomorrow. need to get ballasts and t5 bulbs. and then figure out how to install fans on the side of the canopy

 

[dz6t]

are you ordering the single end or double end?

 

[joe0813]

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/spectra-t5-metal-halide-4x80w-72-giesemann.html

 

[this is me]

Spectra only comes with SE socket...
Their Infinity line is the DE socket which is discontinued.

 

[joe0813]

I need to find some build threads on how to install fans in a canopy before i drill massive holes in it and mess up

 

[joe0813]

Nick what do you recommend for ballast and bulb watt? BRS says the luxcore 400w and i picked 3 400 watt radiums. I didnt hit check out so i can still change anything i need.

 

[dz6t]

Three 400w radium? Are you going to cook dinner with them at the same time?

 

[joe0813]

Three 400w radium? Are you going to cook dinner with them at the same time?

Soooo 250 it is... I was thinking 400 would be great to cook the fish to my liking

 

[dz6t]

IIRC, your tank is a 180 gallon, three 250w should do it.

 

[joe0813]

Cant you tell ive never ran MH before?

 

[this is me]

You have the Luxcore 400W selectable. And set it to 250W or 250W HQI(300W).

You Don’t want the 250W since it’s already maxed out at 250W. With SE bulb, the socket is interchangeable. Meaning you can run 250W or 400W if you have the necessary ballast to run it.

Bottom, with the spectra, you get the Luxcore 400W selectable ballast. Run 250W and have the 400W when you need it. Resale value is also better.

 

[this is me]

Get Luxcore 400W with 250W Radiums.

 

[joe0813]

what would you recommend for the bulbs? i was thinking Blue+ coral+ and two actinics

 

[this is me]

The radiums are pretty white for a 20K bulb especially when you run them at 250W HQI.
For a 180, I don’t think you even need the T5. I would go with 2xblue plus and 2x super actinic. Or just go all Blue or Super actinic. You do not need the par from the T5s for a 180. The 250W MH will be able to handle the 24” wide with ease.
Run the Radiums alone first and see how you like it. I actually like it but my tank is 48” wide and the T5s needs to be on for corals on the edges.

 

[joe0813]

what size are the bulbs supposed to be?? i searched a ton of sites and cant find a length

 

[this is me]

60”.

 

[cilyjr]

I do not use any t5 just 3 radium is fine for a 180.