Lets talk about lighting for a minute

[edgerat]

So I know that you want an odd number of lights as far as MH's go over your tank to get the proper mixing. In my case 2-20k on each end and a 10k in the middle. My question is, does anyone notice any sort of measurable difference or advantage to supplementing with actinics and the 10k bulbs? I have noticed a great deal of posts on the "other" website that states people get alot better growth with 10k lighting than with 20k lighting. I also see that 99% of the coral dealers that are on the web take all their pictures under 20k radiums. This could be because the corals look much nicer under the 20k or it could be because that is what they are under at all times. I am one of those crazy people that likes to stare at their tank alot and the thought of not being able to do that once the MH's end their 8hr or so photoperiod each day is bumming me out. So, lets hear it.
isaac

 

[DonW]

I understand about wanting to see in the tank. My lights are off in the morning and dont come on until after I'm gone. I think you can use just about anything for tank viewing. I also think your right that most dealers use 20K to make the corals color look brighter(marketing).
I use all Ushio 10k with no suppliment lighting and like the looks.

Don

 

[Scooterman]

Actually you would want the two 10ks on the outside and the 15k or 20k in the middle for the bluer looks. You get better PAR performance under the 10k's. With a mixture of this sorts your not needing supplementation because the 20k will give you enough color without the need to add fluorescents.

 

[edgerat]

scooter,
True but I want to view the tank when I am actually home The way I have it figured right now the lights will come on around 10:30 and go off around 7:00pm so that will leave me with about 4hrs of dark tank until I hit the rack. Mojo told me I wanted the two 20's on the ends and the 10k in the middle????? Did I get it wrong?

 

[Scooterman]

One thing I do, and anyone can do, like yourself, I want to view my fish so I adjusted the day cycles to suit my needs. My lights come on at 3 pm, and off around 3 am, 12 ours of light is about right for a reef. You can check with Mike again I guess it depends on several things, like tank depth, wattage your using etc but I still think it would be the other way around, knowing Mike he must have a reason for doing it the way you said, check and lets us know!

 

[bc_slc]

i have 10k AB bulbs and run 4 vho actinics. If I just give a one-time look at it with just the MH's on, it looks pretty white and the corals look good. However, I like the look with the actinics quite a bit more and if I run the actinics and then compare, then everything looks yellow. I personally think I will be going with something in the 14k range next chnage.

 

[fishdude]

hey there I am only just about to set up my first salt water aquarium and don't know a lot about them as you guys sound like you know what you are on about can I just ask this :- I have a 2 x 55 watt compact for a 4 x 2 x 2 (foot) tank would this be sufficient for most corals or will I have to buy another?

 

[bradreef]

you could be OK with 4-65watt pc over a 120 like you stated but it would cost only a little more to start with 2-250 watt halides and you could keep anything under those. 90% of the corals out there. probably 200 for a good 4-65 watt pc setup and you should be able to get a retro for under 300 for the two halides.

 

[fishdude]

if I keep the compact what wattage metal halide lamp will I need?

 

[wrightme43]

Brads right. I have 4x 96 watt compact on my 75, for the same money I could of bought two 250 watt metal halide and two 14000k bulbs. Now I have to buy the metal halide and still have already spent the money on the compact flour. It really is better with metal halide. I keep every thing I want under compacts but they would be happier and grow faster with better color under M.H. Also from my experince its 45-50$ a bulb for my compacts every 6 months or so for almost 200$ or 89$ or less for each M.H. bulb I want and they are supposedly replaced every9-12 months. So I was wrong to buy the compacts. And your tank is deeper than mine so you really need the punch that MH provides. HTH Steve

 

[wrightme43]

Retro is a fixture that just has the reflector, clips, bulbs and ballast. Retrofit kit. That is versus a fixture that has a housing, bulbs, fans, ballast clips and all that.

 

[fishdude]

oh ok thanks also how long are you supposed to have these on everyday?

 

[fishdude]

Thanks for that guys I will take the compact back

 

[VINA DEL MAR]

Much is been said about lighting a reef tank and I know that many reefers have their own preferences.As for me I like the blueish look of the 20k's Radium I think corals keeps their colors longer and get them even more colorful with time.
I tried the 10k's for some weeks but i notice some bleaching with some of the corals.I also moved the bulbs to different highs(distances)and the corals still reacted negative to the new bulbs.So I place my Radiums back in the tank.
It took awhile before the corals regained their colors and now I'm afraid to try anything else.
Growth?Yes I do get growth.I believe that duration is the main reason that my corals are growing I keep the halides for 12 hours.
I know some people using 10k's but the lights are on for less time and they corals grow but the colors are somehow in the lighter side not the rich and deeper colors like mine.
If I switch to 10k's today I see the same colors as with the 20k's for just a few days but not for so long after the colors looks bleach again.
I dont want to say that's what will happens to other reefers but it happened to me.

VINA

 

[roy]

So far I really like the color and par ratings of the 14kACs I have been using over my clam tank...I like it so much that when its time to change out the sps tanks bulbs that I will swap from the DE ushio 10ks to the 14K phoenix...not a bad price ither for a bulb...