red sea max 34 gallon lighting question HELP!

gmanmorris · 10/28/2010, 08:05 AM

I'm noticing the stock compact flourescents 55watt 50/50 white / blue actinic are not strong enough for sps and are not ideal coloration as well.

Does anyone have suggestions on this option:
replace 55watt w/ 65watt ALL WHITE for growing and then add
blue / purple LED panorama / stunners until I achieve the desired blue level?

My thought is i'd be nearly doubling the growing light from what it is now.
is this correct? If so anyone have a 65 watt compact flourescent white bulb that's worked for them?

Current TANK: 34 gallon, qty 2 55watt 24" compact flourescents 50/50 white / blue.
Livestock:
limited sps (stylo, hydnophora, polies, zoa, chalice, dunkin, hammer coral, frogspawn, sevaral montiporas, 4 fish), cleaning crew, stock power heads plus 1 side wall head for water flow, tunze skimmer

Thanks a lot for the input

gmanmorris · 10/28/2010, 08:51 AM

Anyone know about UVL PC-R bulbs for a 24" power compact?
Or where to purchase them?
Can't find them online..

Runfrumu · 10/28/2010, 09:16 AM

I don't think anyone makes the bulbs for the red sea max except red sea. Kind of a weird sized bulb, and I've never seen any that would work with it.

I switched over to a maxpect LED set-up on mine and I'm very glad I did.

Steven Pro · 10/28/2010, 12:08 PM

The lamps that come with the Red Sea Max are a little shorter and thinner diameter than most PC lamps. The larger diameter lamps would probably fit, but stretch the clips a little. The length could be problematic though. It is a tight fit in there.

Adding LED's might help, depending on the brand and their performance.

gmanmorris · 10/28/2010, 12:58 PM

Thanks..
do you have the details of your maxpect LED setup or a possible photo? Did you remove the factory lid all together? I'm curious to know what steps are involved and where i can find the maxpect.
are you happy with the color richness and coral growth?
Thanks

grigsy · 10/28/2010, 08:05 PM

Red Sea Max uses a fairly basic linear pin 55 watt compact fluorescent lamp. It is common in this industry.

Best thing to do is to measure the bulb itself. It likely is either 21" or 22" long and then check with people like Custom Aquatic, Premium Aquatic or Hello Lights and find out if they have the same size 55 watt bulb.

Odds are they will and the bulbs will only cost $20 - $25 each to replace.

I would go with a 10K white and a 460nm blue. That is what I use in my 24 gallon nano (36W) and it seems to work best for me.

gmanmorris · 10/28/2010, 10:26 PM

Grigsy-
thanks for the info, are you able to grow sps with 1 white and 1 blue?

10/28/2010, 08:05 AM	#1
gmanmorris Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 11	red sea max 34 gallon lighting question HELP! I'm noticing the stock compact flourescents 55watt 50/50 white / blue actinic are not strong enough for sps and are not ideal coloration as well. Does anyone have suggestions on this option: replace 55watt w/ 65watt ALL WHITE for growing and then add blue / purple LED panorama / stunners until I achieve the desired blue level? My thought is i'd be nearly doubling the growing light from what it is now. is this correct? If so anyone have a 65 watt compact flourescent white bulb that's worked for them? Current TANK: 34 gallon, qty 2 55watt 24" compact flourescents 50/50 white / blue. Livestock: limited sps (stylo, hydnophora, polies, zoa, chalice, dunkin, hammer coral, frogspawn, sevaral montiporas, 4 fish), cleaning crew, stock power heads plus 1 side wall head for water flow, tunze skimmer Thanks a lot for the input

10/28/2010, 09:16 AM	#3
Runfrumu Hi Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NC Posts: 1,014	I don't think anyone makes the bulbs for the red sea max except red sea. Kind of a weird sized bulb, and I've never seen any that would work with it. I switched over to a maxpect LED set-up on mine and I'm very glad I did. __________________ Red Sea Max 130d and 125 gallon mixed reef. Current Tank Info: 125 gallon oceanic tank, Lighthouse Pro XLS, 72" outer orbit fixture, H&S 150-F2000/1 skimmer, H&S 110 Calcium Reactor, Tunze 7096, 2 Tunze 6105's , Tunze Osmolator, Prime 1/4hp drop-in chiller. 5 years running. Red Sea Max, 3 years.

10/28/2010, 12:08 PM	#4
Steven Pro Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 9,376	The lamps that come with the Red Sea Max are a little shorter and thinner diameter than most PC lamps. The larger diameter lamps would probably fit, but stretch the clips a little. The length could be problematic though. It is a tight fit in there. Adding LED's might help, depending on the brand and their performance. __________________ Steven Pro, yep that is my real name. Current Tank Info: Twelve 600 gallon tubs located in a greenhouse

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10/28/2010, 08:51 AM	#2
gmanmorris Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 11	Anyone know about UVL PC-R bulbs for a 24" power compact? Or where to purchase them? Can't find them online..

10/28/2010, 12:58 PM	#5
gmanmorris Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 11	Thanks.. do you have the details of your maxpect LED setup or a possible photo? Did you remove the factory lid all together? I'm curious to know what steps are involved and where i can find the maxpect. are you happy with the color richness and coral growth? Thanks

10/28/2010, 08:05 PM	#6
grigsy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Posts: 2,307	Red Sea Max uses a fairly basic linear pin 55 watt compact fluorescent lamp. It is common in this industry. Best thing to do is to measure the bulb itself. It likely is either 21" or 22" long and then check with people like Custom Aquatic, Premium Aquatic or Hello Lights and find out if they have the same size 55 watt bulb. Odds are they will and the bulbs will only cost $20 - $25 each to replace. I would go with a 10K white and a 460nm blue. That is what I use in my 24 gallon nano (36W) and it seems to work best for me.

10/28/2010, 10:26 PM	#7
gmanmorris Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 11	Grigsy- thanks for the info, are you able to grow sps with 1 white and 1 blue?