Lighting Question!!!

[taichimaster]

I am currently running a 250watt 15K hqi current usa sunpod. I am planning to replace the bulb. What brand do you guys recommend. Also, should I be getting a 10K, 20k, or stay with the same.

I have a 20 gallon with mostly LPS with a few sps corals. I would like to slowly convert to mostly sps in the future


Please advise.

 

[danno14]

your best option is to see other people systems running the bulbs you are considering....difficult to do but worth it!

Next option is to try bulbs based upon what you are growing, and find what appeals to your eyes.
More $$$, but pretty much failsafe

 

[BobinCovington]

Does your fixture have T5s as well? If so I think you can stay around 10K to get the higher par, and the T5s will give you the bluer color.

I am buying a current usa fixture with 2 DE 250s and considering the Reeflux 10K and a few others. I am still trying to learn all I can about best bulbs before I pull the trigger.

 

[taichimaster]

I have the Sunpod without the Actinics. I did add an actinic bulb for a more blue look. I was planning to get a 14k just because it give out a more blue light.

 

[Maxx]

I am currently running a 250watt 15K hqi current usa sunpod. I am planning to replace the bulb. What brand do you guys recommend. Also, should I be getting a 10K, 20k, or stay with the same.

I have a 20 gallon with mostly LPS with a few sps corals. I would like to slowly convert to mostly sps in the future


Please advise.

Who makes the bulb currently in your fixture? Most 15K bulbs I've seen have low PAR numbers, so jumping up to a 10K bulb will seriously shock your corals unless you alter your photoperiod accordingly. The Pheonix 14K has very high PAR for a 14K bulbs, approaching AB10K's in numbers with a nice crisp blue white color.

For a better picture of what you have vs what you can get PAR number wise go to Sanjay Joshi's website http://www.reeflightinginfo.arvixe.com/

HTH

Nick

 

[taichimaster]

Not usre with the maker of the bulb in my fixture, but it was the stock bulb that came with the Sunpod.

Are 10k bulb better than 14k bulb?

 

[burning2nd]

the stock bulbs in the sunpod are "current 14k's"

current buts 14'ks in all there HQi's

i have 2 sunpods..
I liked the blue of the stock lights... i went to the 14'k "aqualight" brand.. that where white compared to the stock 14'ks of the current,

since we dont have t5's for that blue i tent to look for the bluer color...

what are you looking for... the brands of the bulb and kelvin rateing will all look diffrent...

so its kindda buy 2, try em, watit and repeat every 6 months..

good luck

just some diffrent shots.
the outter orbit

the stock current 14'ks

the aqua light 14'k


even tho at the end of the day. the aqualights turn blue... i guess after they have bin runing for a while.

 

[Maxx]

Not usre with the maker of the bulb in my fixture, but it was the stock bulb that came with the Sunpod.

Are 10k bulb better than 14k bulb?

Call or email Current USA and ask them what ballast and bulbs they put in your fixture.

As far as "better" goes...define "better"...



10K bulbs have a higher PAR number, PAR is Photosynthetically Available Radiation......basically the light that corals can use for photosynthesis. A higher number means more light is available in a form, (wavelength) that the coral can use. So a higher number means that (theoretically), your corals will grow faster. However, too much light will shock your corals if they havent had time to adapt to it. Also, certain corals dont thrive in high light environments. To further complicate things, there are aesthetics to keep in mind as well.

The best bulbs for growth so far are the Iwasaki 6500K's. However, they are very yellow in appearance so many people avoid using them. Many people really like using 20K Radium bulbs because it gives the corals fantastic colors, however, it has anywhere between half and a third of the PAR of the Iwasaki's depending on the ballast you are using....

So its really all up to you....

Nick

 

[taichimaster]

Thank you so much for your input. You yave been a great help. I think I will probably buy the phoenix 14k. I have heard great reviews for them. Also, is it recommended to change bulbs every 6 months? if so, then I should be looking.

Great looking setup. i have the Sunpod and it doesn't come with actinics, so I purchased a single actinic bulb. It helps out alot with the color. I really don't like the yellow look.

BTW, why do you have that pump on top of your overlfow? Is that your ATO?

 

[Maxx]

It is important that you know what you have in there currently so you know whether or not to shorten your photoperiod. Most MH lights last a year.

i have the Sunpod and it doesn't come with actinics, so I purchased a single actinic bulb. It helps out alot with the color.

Did you buy a single VHO/PC/T5 set up to supplement your lighting...I'm confused. What exactly do you have for lighting?

BTW, why do you have that pump on top of your overlfow?

That pump is used to maintain flow through his overflow. It siphons out any air bubbles that would build up inside the overflow.

Nick

 

[taichimaster]

Maxx,
I bought the single linear T5 Actinic Bulb. It is call the Current USA NOVA T5 Strip. I couldn't fit the Outer orbit on my 20 gallon.

 

[Maxx]

So you have the Sunpod MH and the single T-5 strip?

Nick

 

[taichimaster]

Yes. That is how I have it set up.

 

[-=dieseldave=-]

Phoenix 14k in my opinion this it the best bulb for anyone running a double ended 250 watt magnetic ballasts and is into SPS corals. As stated be for it is a crisp light blue with the kelvin rating closer to 20k then 14k and the par value close to most 10k lamps. On electronic ballast looks closer to 14k, I do not care for them on the electronic ballasts (remember that most electronic ballasts push out only 250watts while most magnetic ballasts push out around 300watts. My M80 ballasts are at 305watts.). As for changing them out every 6 months there are several factors that may make this a reality or waste of money. You need to evaluate them after 6 months and see if you want to change them.