How would you get more blue look to this setup?

siropa · 12/18/2007, 09:08 AM

I've got a 275 reef (96" x 32"W x 21"H) currently with 4 175w MH lighting it. I've been using XM 10k bulbs and I really like the growth and results I get from them, so i'm not looking to change that part of things. What I would like is a bit more of a blue look purely for aesthetic reasons.

I can see doing this a couple of ways, but am looking for opinions on what would work best and/or other options.

1) I've got 2 openings on the top of the tank and right now i've got 2 MH positioned over each of those. I could reposition those a bit to add a 3rd MH to each opening and use a 20k bulb for this 3rd one. This option is the least costly for me since I have MH equipment to power 2 more bulbs. i'd just have to get the bulbs. I'm just concerned about getting an even distribution of the color doing this.

2) adding some VHO or T5 actinics. How many would be needed to have an impact? This option isn't as appealing to me since it would require some equipment purchases.

3) regular old 40w bulbs. not sure this is even a real option. i've got lots of equipment and bulbs for going this route, so it would be free startup wise. but how effective and practical is another matter. I tossed up a pair of 40w to test it out and it barely had an effect. i'm not sure I could even get enough bulbs on there to really make it look bluer.

Any thoughts?

OranguTang · 12/18/2007, 09:14 AM

4x48" T5 or similar VHO setup would have the most even spread I believe.

I dont think that 2 extra halides will give you the spread you are looking for.

siropa · 12/18/2007, 09:28 AM

Yeah i'm concerned about how the MH spread would be. The tank is an in-wall with a fishroom, so I could mount it up higher than would be normal, but I don't know if that would work out good or not.

Gluestick · 12/18/2007, 02:30 PM

xm 20ks are as blue as you can get

also, 110 w vho actinics are BLUEBLUEBLUE

DarG · 12/18/2007, 02:44 PM

T5's with reflectors and ATI Blue Plus lamps is the best approach for bluing up what you have. NOT VHO Super Actinic and NOT T5 Actinic, T5 with individual relfectors and ATI Blue Plus bulbs. 2 rows of T5's would probably make a dent, 4 rows of T5's would give you some bulb options aside from just loading up with Blue Plus bulbs. That would allow you to not just add blue but probably some blue and actinic which could help with coral colors even more. Problem is that the floruescents are competing with 700 watts of halide so you cant just pop a couple of VHO actinics in a have a blue tank.

Better bet would be to swap the XM's out with Iwasaki 15K's which are bluer and then if you wanted more blue, it wouldnt take as many T5's. The Iwasaki 175 watt 15K's have great par with a subtle blue tint.

gastone · 12/18/2007, 04:08 PM

Ditto what DarG said. XM 10k bulbs spike have a huge spike at 420nm... which is what true actinic bulbs are. If you want blue, definitely go with the blue+ T5 lamps which spike at 450nm. They complement the XM 10k very nicely IMO.

Garrett.

siropa · 12/18/2007, 07:34 PM

thanks guys.

12/18/2007, 09:08 AM	#1
siropa Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Neenah, WI Posts: 2,502	How would you get more blue look to this setup? I've got a 275 reef (96" x 32"W x 21"H) currently with 4 175w MH lighting it. I've been using XM 10k bulbs and I really like the growth and results I get from them, so i'm not looking to change that part of things. What I would like is a bit more of a blue look purely for aesthetic reasons. I can see doing this a couple of ways, but am looking for opinions on what would work best and/or other options. 1) I've got 2 openings on the top of the tank and right now i've got 2 MH positioned over each of those. I could reposition those a bit to add a 3rd MH to each opening and use a 20k bulb for this 3rd one. This option is the least costly for me since I have MH equipment to power 2 more bulbs. i'd just have to get the bulbs. I'm just concerned about getting an even distribution of the color doing this. 2) adding some VHO or T5 actinics. How many would be needed to have an impact? This option isn't as appealing to me since it would require some equipment purchases. 3) regular old 40w bulbs. not sure this is even a real option. i've got lots of equipment and bulbs for going this route, so it would be free startup wise. but how effective and practical is another matter. I tossed up a pair of 40w to test it out and it barely had an effect. i'm not sure I could even get enough bulbs on there to really make it look bluer. Any thoughts? __________________ See red house for pics. Current Tank Info: 275 reef, 75 FOWLR, 60g frag

12/18/2007, 09:14 AM	#2
OranguTang NULL Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 977	4x48" T5 or similar VHO setup would have the most even spread I believe. I dont think that 2 extra halides will give you the spread you are looking for. __________________ -Marc

12/18/2007, 09:28 AM	#3
siropa Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Neenah, WI Posts: 2,502	Yeah i'm concerned about how the MH spread would be. The tank is an in-wall with a fishroom, so I could mount it up higher than would be normal, but I don't know if that would work out good or not. __________________ See red house for pics. Current Tank Info: 275 reef, 75 FOWLR, 60g frag

12/18/2007, 02:30 PM	#4
Gluestick Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Joliet, IL Posts: 1,710	xm 20ks are as blue as you can get also, 110 w vho actinics are BLUEBLUEBLUE __________________ Valerie R. Burns Founder/Vice President Joliet Area Reef Club Current Tank Info: 90 gal SPS dominated, ASM-G2 skimmer, 2x250w 20k SE Radium bulbs under Lumenarc Mini Reflectors

12/18/2007, 04:08 PM	#6
gastone Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Fredericksburg, VA Posts: 448	Ditto what DarG said. XM 10k bulbs spike have a huge spike at 420nm... which is what true actinic bulbs are. If you want blue, definitely go with the blue+ T5 lamps which spike at 450nm. They complement the XM 10k very nicely IMO. Garrett. __________________ I'm your huckleberry. Current Tank Info: 42Hex, 250W Radium in a lumenarc mini + 2x24W T5 Blue+ and 2x24W T5 actinic connected to a 30 gallon zoanthid tank currently lit by 4x39W T5 (Actinic, blue+, pro color, blue+)

12/18/2007, 02:44 PM	#5
DarG Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,515	T5's with reflectors and ATI Blue Plus lamps is the best approach for bluing up what you have. NOT VHO Super Actinic and NOT T5 Actinic, T5 with individual relfectors and ATI Blue Plus bulbs. 2 rows of T5's would probably make a dent, 4 rows of T5's would give you some bulb options aside from just loading up with Blue Plus bulbs. That would allow you to not just add blue but probably some blue and actinic which could help with coral colors even more. Problem is that the floruescents are competing with 700 watts of halide so you cant just pop a couple of VHO actinics in a have a blue tank. Better bet would be to swap the XM's out with Iwasaki 15K's which are bluer and then if you wanted more blue, it wouldnt take as many T5's. The Iwasaki 175 watt 15K's have great par with a subtle blue tint.

12/18/2007, 07:34 PM	#7
siropa Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Neenah, WI Posts: 2,502	thanks guys. __________________ See red house for pics. Current Tank Info: 275 reef, 75 FOWLR, 60g frag