Lighting?

boxcar182 · 04/28/2008, 08:26 PM

I just got my aqua medic 150watt pendant in but i am unhappy with the 10k bulb. The pendant will be over a 20high and i plan to keep mostly lps, zoas, softies and maybe a clam or sps. I am looking to get a new bulb but am unsure what kind. What is a good brand and also what is a good spectrum that will make the coral colors stand out and also have good growth? Also will a chiller be necssary to keep temps down because i really cant aford a chiller right now.

demonsp · 04/28/2008, 09:06 PM

This is a new setup and many of the stock you listed would like a mature tank.If done right this means atleast 1 yr. Plus the bulbs should be changed out and with my T-5's its no longer then one yr.Im not sure about MH. I think you can upgrade to a 12k of same watts at that time.Just remeber whenever you replace a bulb its best to reduce main light time and then bring up slow to minimize algea blooms.
I would check if you can use a 12k bulb before you cant return it anymore.

Twz · 04/28/2008, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by demonsp
This is a new setup and many of the stock you listed would like a mature tank.If done right this means atleast 1 yr. Plus the bulbs should be changed out and with my T-5's its no longer then one yr.Im not sure about MH. I think you can upgrade to a 12k of same watts at that time.Just remeber whenever you replace a bulb its best to reduce main light time and then bring up slow to minimize algea blooms.
I would check if you can use a 12k bulb before you cant return it anymore.

Just wondering why would you want a 12K rather then a 10?
i thought that the closer to 6500K the better for corals and that but looks quite yellow

seapug · 04/28/2008, 09:45 PM

What do you not like about the bulb? If it's too yellow then go with a higher Kelvin like a 12K or 14K as demonsp suggested. It will be more blue. It also depends on the brand of bulb you get. 14K bulbs by one manufacturer may be more blue than 20K by another. If you aren't using any Actinic supplementation, 14K Phoenix bulbs are nice.

If you switch it out now you won't need to worry about light shock. That's really only an issue when you are changing out really old bulbs or upgrading to a much higher wattage.

demonsp · 04/28/2008, 10:02 PM

I assummed ( got me in trouble) this is what he ment. He does have other choices.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/ar...id=287&aid=228

Quote:

Originally posted by Twz
Just wondering why would you want a 12K rather then a 10?
i thought that the closer to 6500K the better for corals and that but looks quite yellow

Twz · 04/28/2008, 10:58 PM

Oh =D

Toddrtrex · 04/28/2008, 11:39 PM

Is the bulb really going to be 20 inches above the tank?

04/28/2008, 08:26 PM	#1
boxcar182 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 170	Lighting? I just got my aqua medic 150watt pendant in but i am unhappy with the 10k bulb. The pendant will be over a 20high and i plan to keep mostly lps, zoas, softies and maybe a clam or sps. I am looking to get a new bulb but am unsure what kind. What is a good brand and also what is a good spectrum that will make the coral colors stand out and also have good growth? Also will a chiller be necssary to keep temps down because i really cant aford a chiller right now.

04/28/2008, 09:45 PM	#4
seapug Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: 4980 ft. Posts: 7,954 Blog Entries: 1	What do you not like about the bulb? If it's too yellow then go with a higher Kelvin like a 12K or 14K as demonsp suggested. It will be more blue. It also depends on the brand of bulb you get. 14K bulbs by one manufacturer may be more blue than 20K by another. If you aren't using any Actinic supplementation, 14K Phoenix bulbs are nice. If you switch it out now you won't need to worry about light shock. That's really only an issue when you are changing out really old bulbs or upgrading to a much higher wattage. __________________ insert clever saying here. Current Tank Info: 200 gallon custom Marineland DD peninsular tank. LPS dominated mixed reef. Previous 90 gallon mixed reef TOTM April 2009. Last edited by seapug; 04/28/2008 at 10:07 PM.

04/28/2008, 11:39 PM	#7
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	Is the bulb really going to be 20 inches above the tank? __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

04/28/2008, 09:06 PM	#2
demonsp Moved On Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: el paso tx Posts: 7,634	This is a new setup and many of the stock you listed would like a mature tank.If done right this means atleast 1 yr. Plus the bulbs should be changed out and with my T-5's its no longer then one yr.Im not sure about MH. I think you can upgrade to a 12k of same watts at that time.Just remeber whenever you replace a bulb its best to reduce main light time and then bring up slow to minimize algea blooms. I would check if you can use a 12k bulb before you cant return it anymore.

04/28/2008, 10:58 PM	#6
Twz Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Edmonton Posts: 628	Oh =D