MH Suggestions

sabien · 02/21/2006, 10:08 PM

I need to replace all the bulbs on my tank. I have 3 250W mh's and 4 96W Sunpaq's.

I am undecided on which route I want to go. My first thought is getting 3 XM 10k's for the MH's and 4 dual actinic Sunpaqs. I was thinking the 10k's will provide maximum growth while the actinics will counterbalance the yellow and bring out the color. I don't have much experience here so perhaps some of you know if this would work.

My other option was to go 1 XM 10k in the middle and 2 HM 14k's on the side and still getting the 4 sunpaq dual actinics. My thought here was that if the mh's were too overbearing for the sunpaqs I could soften them a little by adding the 14k's.

I have gone to http://www.cnidarianreef.com/lamps.cfm and checked out the PAR's. I've been impressed with the XM 10k rating. Another site I checked out is http://www.cnidarianreef.com/lamps.cfm It's interesting how one site rates HM's 14k PAR at 352 and the other at 218. Not really sure what to believe. I appreciate any feedback you may have.

sabien · 02/21/2006, 10:57 PM

Shameless Bump

skippysmind · 02/21/2006, 11:00 PM

Go with all XM 10k and the actinic Sunpaqs. That's exactly what I use and I love it. I have 2@250w XM10k and 4@65w actinic Sunpaqs.

ZURCSREEF · 02/21/2006, 11:20 PM

I am in the same perdicament, I have a 120 gallon (4x2x2) and was wondering if I should go with two (was thinking three, but I think that might be over doing it) xm 10k's, and use four 110w VHO super blue actinics (already have them) or should I go with four 65w actinic instead (already have aswell)... Let me know what you think about getting three 10k mh setups aswell, thanks!

edwar050 · 02/21/2006, 11:31 PM

I just went with four VHO "2 10K" and 2 Actinic over my 120 with 12K sunburst-

sabien · 02/22/2006, 02:37 PM

Decided to go with 3 SE 250W 10k XM's and 4 Dual 96W Sunpaq Actinics. I'll let you know how it works for me.

02/21/2006, 10:08 PM	#1
sabien Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Suwanee, GA Posts: 71	MH Suggestions I need to replace all the bulbs on my tank. I have 3 250W mh's and 4 96W Sunpaq's. I am undecided on which route I want to go. My first thought is getting 3 XM 10k's for the MH's and 4 dual actinic Sunpaqs. I was thinking the 10k's will provide maximum growth while the actinics will counterbalance the yellow and bring out the color. I don't have much experience here so perhaps some of you know if this would work. My other option was to go 1 XM 10k in the middle and 2 HM 14k's on the side and still getting the 4 sunpaq dual actinics. My thought here was that if the mh's were too overbearing for the sunpaqs I could soften them a little by adding the 14k's. I have gone to http://www.cnidarianreef.com/lamps.cfm and checked out the PAR's. I've been impressed with the XM 10k rating. Another site I checked out is http://www.cnidarianreef.com/lamps.cfm It's interesting how one site rates HM's 14k PAR at 352 and the other at 218. Not really sure what to believe. I appreciate any feedback you may have.

02/21/2006, 10:57 PM	#2
sabien Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Suwanee, GA Posts: 71	Shameless Bump __________________ 210 Gal SPS Display / (2) 30 Gal Frag Tanks / 50 Gal Sump / 30 Gal Refugium / (5) AI Sols 110 Freshwater Central American Planted Current Tank Info: 210 Gal Reef 110 Gal Freshwater Planted Tank

02/21/2006, 11:00 PM	#3
skippysmind Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Findlay, Ohio Posts: 1,003	Go with all XM 10k and the actinic Sunpaqs. That's exactly what I use and I love it. I have 2@250w XM10k and 4@65w actinic Sunpaqs. __________________ Jeff The best way to keep fish? Is in a frying pan, lightly breaded and seasoned with a little salt! Current Tank Info: No Tank!

02/22/2006, 02:37 PM	#6
sabien Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Suwanee, GA Posts: 71	Decided to go with 3 SE 250W 10k XM's and 4 Dual 96W Sunpaq Actinics. I'll let you know how it works for me. __________________ 210 Gal SPS Display / (2) 30 Gal Frag Tanks / 50 Gal Sump / 30 Gal Refugium / (5) AI Sols 110 Freshwater Central American Planted Current Tank Info: 210 Gal Reef 110 Gal Freshwater Planted Tank

02/21/2006, 11:20 PM	#4
ZURCSREEF Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Pembroke Pines, Fl Posts: 2,347	I am in the same perdicament, I have a 120 gallon (4x2x2) and was wondering if I should go with two (was thinking three, but I think that might be over doing it) xm 10k's, and use four 110w VHO super blue actinics (already have them) or should I go with four 65w actinic instead (already have aswell)... Let me know what you think about getting three 10k mh setups aswell, thanks!

02/21/2006, 11:31 PM	#5
edwar050 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Orange County Posts: 834	I just went with four VHO "2 10K" and 2 Actinic over my 120 with 12K sunburst-