Best Light for Zoas / Palys

[fijiblue]

Between a 250 DE Phoenix, 250 DE 20k, or 96 watt quad on a 12 gallon....which do you feel would provide the most growth and color?

[geoxman]

which 20k bulb? Do you have a chiller? If so the phoenix 250 would be just fine on a 12 gallon. Take a look at the helios 250 DE 20k on an icecap electric ballast on Sanjays site. GREAT color! and a little less par than the phoenix which might be an advantage on a nano. good luck either way

[fijiblue]

geoxman - Thanks for the response. I haven't really thought about which 20k to use. I have a 96watt 50/50 PC on there now and was wondering if the MH's would be better.

[geoxman]

Yes the MH would be better for color and growth.
Look here for par and color spectrum with each bulb and ballast.
http://www.reeflightinginfo.arvixe.com/
The only 20K 250 DE bulb I have ever liked is the Helios. Very large actinic spike without coming off too purple so actinics are not needed.
good luck with it!

[PaintGuru]

Wow a 250W MH seems like a lot on a 12 gallon. I think my zoas feel they are getting too much from my 250W MH and I have it on a 92 gal!

[kau_cinta_ku]

lol I have to keep my zoas on the sandbed with my 2 400 watt XM 20K's over my 75 gal.

[geoxman]

I keep mine under (2) 250 DE MH Phoenix 14K on a PFO pendant and ballast's on a 10 inch deep tank. I use to keep them under a 20K XM 400w Lumenarc 20k on an M59 ballast, but the spread was not as good, on the same 10 inch deep tank. I am going back to the 400W XM 20K M59 Lumenarc but I am adding around 600w of VHO this time. So about 1000w on a 62 gallon tank. They are shallow water corals-keep that in mind
good luck with your decision!