Opinons on lighting

breutus · 05/07/2008, 08:36 PM

I really don't think I like it but I'd like some opinions first.

I have a 72 gallon BF and have 2x250w 14k MH and 4 T-5's.

I have always had the T5s as super actinic's so I could get that color I like. Well I just replaced all the bulbs over the last week and I changed just one of the T5s to a actinic/12k light... My gosh it's BRIGHT, I have completely lost my dawn dusk actinic that I like so much.

So my question is, will this 54 watts of white light be beneficial for the tank? Or is my MH more than enough? I'll keep it if it will help the corals grow more. I'll just rewire it so I can have two lights actinic on for an hour in the morning and night.

Lucas

breutus · 05/07/2008, 09:30 PM

no thoughts

GaryR1984 · 05/07/2008, 09:43 PM

IMO, your MH is more then enough. How high are they mounted from the water? If I remember correctly, a 175 watt MH is good for 18 inches of penetration? I think I may be way off, but a ton of sights will offer advice like that. I personally went a little bit bigger, I'd rather have to much light and be forced to move corals around then have to little and not grow what I want.

breutus · 05/07/2008, 10:01 PM

there barely 5 inches off the water. but the tank is 18 tall.

thanks for your thoughts gary, I kinda feel the same way I would rather it if it might help stuff grow better. i think I am gonna rewire it and leave it to help it out more.

zacharytrimble · 05/08/2008, 08:07 AM

Yeah, your mh's are enough...so I think on your next bulb change...you could go back to way it was if you like...

05/07/2008, 08:36 PM	#1
breutus Don't ask me, I'm wrong. Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: House Springs Posts: 2,272	Opinons on lighting I really don't think I like it but I'd like some opinions first. I have a 72 gallon BF and have 2x250w 14k MH and 4 T-5's. I have always had the T5s as super actinic's so I could get that color I like. Well I just replaced all the bulbs over the last week and I changed just one of the T5s to a actinic/12k light... My gosh it's BRIGHT, I have completely lost my dawn dusk actinic that I like so much. So my question is, will this 54 watts of white light be beneficial for the tank? Or is my MH more than enough? I'll keep it if it will help the corals grow more. I'll just rewire it so I can have two lights actinic on for an hour in the morning and night. Lucas

05/07/2008, 09:30 PM	#2
breutus Don't ask me, I'm wrong. Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: House Springs Posts: 2,272	no thoughts

05/07/2008, 09:43 PM	#3
GaryR1984 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 974	IMO, your MH is more then enough. How high are they mounted from the water? If I remember correctly, a 175 watt MH is good for 18 inches of penetration? I think I may be way off, but a ton of sights will offer advice like that. I personally went a little bit bigger, I'd rather have to much light and be forced to move corals around then have to little and not grow what I want.

05/07/2008, 10:01 PM	#4
breutus Don't ask me, I'm wrong. Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: House Springs Posts: 2,272	there barely 5 inches off the water. but the tank is 18 tall. thanks for your thoughts gary, I kinda feel the same way I would rather it if it might help stuff grow better. i think I am gonna rewire it and leave it to help it out more.

05/08/2008, 08:07 AM	#5
zacharytrimble Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 456	Yeah, your mh's are enough...so I think on your next bulb change...you could go back to way it was if you like...