What combination of light?!!!!!

tobuff · 01/27/2008, 09:48 AM

My tank size is 40" x 25" x 25". 25" is the height. I have been researching on the topics of light a lot. And, could not decide whether what wattage and what K to get for MH?....at first, i have been thinking of getting 250W 20,000K (pretty blue, right)?....but after some researches, i found that it is better to have both MH and fluroscene tubes. So, right now, i am pretty confuse.

I have one idea is to use 2 bulbs MH, each of 150 W 20,000K; and one actinic T5 tube. so, 1 MH on the left and one the right and the actinic tube at center. Is it ok?

Or anyone have any other ideas?....Please help..///thank you

Fish_wiz2 · 01/27/2008, 10:25 AM

No, like this on my 40 breeder i have 1x250 watt 10,000K MH with 2x28 watt PC's on the sides you should do 1x250 watt 10,000K with T-5 actinic on the sides.

Vinnie71975 · 01/27/2008, 10:47 AM

FWIW i run 4x54 watts T5HO on my 20g long with no problems at all, this is the same light i will use over my 55g once its up and running.

tobuff · 01/27/2008, 02:50 PM

Anyway, is VHO actinic much better than normal actinic?....

WaterKeeper · 01/27/2008, 03:05 PM

VHO actinic have close to three times the output of NO actinic. I would suggest you look at MH in the 6,000-10,000K range. That combined with the actinics will provide a broader spectrum and the lower K MH lamps produce far better output than the high K lights do. If you haven't read it Lights may give you more info.

01/27/2008, 09:48 AM	#1
tobuff Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Thailand Posts: 46	What combination of light?!!!!! My tank size is 40" x 25" x 25". 25" is the height. I have been researching on the topics of light a lot. And, could not decide whether what wattage and what K to get for MH?....at first, i have been thinking of getting 250W 20,000K (pretty blue, right)?....but after some researches, i found that it is better to have both MH and fluroscene tubes. So, right now, i am pretty confuse. I have one idea is to use 2 bulbs MH, each of 150 W 20,000K; and one actinic T5 tube. so, 1 MH on the left and one the right and the actinic tube at center. Is it ok? Or anyone have any other ideas?....Please help..///thank you

01/27/2008, 10:25 AM	#2
Fish_wiz2 Mangroves are kool. Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Chicago Posts: 5,246	No, like this on my 40 breeder i have 1x250 watt 10,000K MH with 2x28 watt PC's on the sides you should do 1x250 watt 10,000K with T-5 actinic on the sides. __________________ -The Wiz Current Tank Info: Elos Mini Seahorse Tank, 2500 gallon Koi pond

01/27/2008, 10:47 AM	#3
Vinnie71975 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bryan Ohio Posts: 777	FWIW i run 4x54 watts T5HO on my 20g long with no problems at all, this is the same light i will use over my 55g once its up and running. __________________ God will have Mercy Your SW tank WONT- Me Freedom Must occasionally be renewed with the blood of patriots-General Patton Current Tank Info: 55g reef to be(buying stuff now), 20g high Goldfish, 20g High FW Semi Aggressive, 35g hex Community tank, 10g SW Fowlr

01/27/2008, 03:05 PM	#5
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	VHO actinic have close to three times the output of NO actinic. I would suggest you look at MH in the 6,000-10,000K range. That combined with the actinics will provide a broader spectrum and the lower K MH lamps produce far better output than the high K lights do. If you haven't read it Lights may give you more info. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

01/27/2008, 02:50 PM	#4
tobuff Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Thailand Posts: 46	Anyway, is VHO actinic much better than normal actinic?....