Halide Q & A - Page 3

GREEKREEFER1 · 01/21/2009, 01:59 PM

make sure you change out the 10k bulbs on that coral life pro to an xm 15k bulb. huge difference!!!!

reefscape15 · 01/28/2009, 06:37 AM

I had a question for somebody. I have 4 T-5's over my 54 gal corner bowfront now, a 12k, reef blue 10k, 460, and 420. Color is much better with this combination than with the 2 10k's and 2 460's that came with the fixture. A lot more reds, oranges, and purples came out with the newer bulbs, but i still love how the tank looks with just the actinics on. I am building a 250 watt s.e. MH fixture this weekend and i would like the tank to be as blue as possible. Which MH temp would give off the bluest look? I've heard that 20k's are good for the blue color but i've only seen the tanks in my LFS. Thanks guys!

jblincoe · 01/28/2009, 09:22 AM

20ks are really blue, there are also no rules as you can tailor what you like usting your t5s for suplimentation.

reefscape15 · 01/28/2009, 05:27 PM

awesome! I love the look of the tank when it's not so white with the daytimes on. I can't wait to finish the new light. Thanks man!

americanreefs · 02/05/2009, 03:05 AM

The ushio 20k bulbs work great and have a nice blue color.

Ion Innovations · 02/06/2009, 08:46 PM

My tank is 24 inches deep and 30 Gallons do you think I could put a 150, 175 or even 250 watt metal halide over it?
I have a hood with a fan. The light will be suspended about 6 inches over the water. My filter is in the garage and I live in a fairly cool place so I have allot of cooling capacity.
Any suggestion would be great.
Thanks

Jp_here · 02/07/2009, 06:38 PM

In the initail stages of planning a standard 125 gallon tank and looking into lighting options. I want to be able to keep about anything but most likely a mixed reef. Now if I choose to run 2 400w SE with supplimental antic lighting ... what are the chances I will have to run a chiller to cool the water? The sump will be around 30 gallons and the refungium will be a 100 gallon with flourcent bulbs. Oh I live in the southern US too.

MBVette · 02/08/2009, 08:31 AM

Im in the planning stages of what will be a 225g (72x24x30) tank.

I would like to be able to set the tank up for a full reef tank including sps & lps corals. What would be my best route to go for lighting?

Thanks

jblincoe · 02/09/2009, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ion Innovations
My tank is 24 inches deep and 30 Gallons do you think I could put a 150, 175 or even 250 watt metal halide over it?
I have a hood with a fan. The light will be suspended about 6 inches over the water. My filter is in the garage and I live in a fairly cool place so I have allot of cooling capacity.
Any suggestion would be great.
Thanks

I have a 24 inch deep tank as well and i have 400 watt mh over it, 250 will work, but you will limit your sps to the top 1/3 of the tank i would think.

jblincoe · 02/09/2009, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MBVette
Im in the planning stages of what will be a 225g (72x24x30) tank.

I would like to be able to set the tank up for a full reef tank including sps & lps corals. What would be my best route to go for lighting?

Thanks

If we are assuming the tank is 30" top to bottom, I wouldn't go less than 400 watts mh, if the top to bottom is the 24" i would still suggest 400, but you could get the 250 depending on what you want to keep and location in the tank.

mike fail · 02/10/2009, 07:26 AM

whats the best brand of bulb its a 70 watt and i want a 14k

leoan · 02/13/2009, 10:53 AM

Im going crazy trying to decide on lights. Im trying to grow mostly LPS (acans and favias). Do you guys think a single bulb 250w MH fixture is too much OR should i go with a four, 36w bulb HoT5 fixture? My tank is 22 inches deep and is 48 gallons.

ecomdesign · 02/13/2009, 05:03 PM

I have a 90 gallon tank with 2 250MH SE bulbs. The lights are in a canopy and are only about 4" off the water. My temps run between 78-84 degrees. What do you think I should do to keep things running cooler?

jblincoe · 02/13/2009, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ecomdesign
I have a 90 gallon tank with 2 250MH SE bulbs. The lights are in a canopy and are only about 4" off the water. My temps run between 78-84 degrees. What do you think I should do to keep things running cooler?

increase evaporation by aiming a fan at the sump or refugium, and increase the airflow through your canopy, i would have one or two fans on each side of the canopy, two blowing in and two blowing out ideally-2out on one side, 2 in on the other

ecomdesign · 02/13/2009, 06:18 PM

I will try modding my canopy and add a fan on my sump. I already have 1 fan on each side of the canopy. 1 blows in, 1 blows out. If the modded canopy and sump fan dont work, I'll add the extra fans at that time.

thanks for the help!

aquadog11 · 02/16/2009, 02:20 PM

I have 2 250 watt PFO mini's above A standard 120 Gal. AGA tank
growing stony corals.
How high above should they be mounted?

mike fail · 02/17/2009, 07:19 PM

has anyone bought those no name brands off ebay that are like 20$ are they decent?

anin · 02/18/2009, 09:09 AM

hey all,i am in the process of settting up a 50g breeder (36x18x18), it has a center brace. so my question is that if i went with a single MH bulb setup, that wouldn't be very wise? i was looking at the 150watt/ T5 combo fixtures on ebay, or one of currents 150w fixtures. I was also wondering does anyone make fixture that has maybe two 70watt setup? So basically i wanted something that wasn't too crazy on energy usage, so figured a single 150w MH setup was good, but problem is the middle brace on the tank..

anin · 02/18/2009, 10:23 AM

i came up with this place: http://www.fishneedit.com/index.html
you can make your own setup with MH of your choice and T5..anyone have any experience with them?

JoelNB · 02/18/2009, 03:53 PM

There is a shop light which all electrical wholesalers I've spoken to refer to as 'the shoplighter'. It is a low profile reflector and ballast set for 70W double ended bulbs. Electrical wholesalers may also just sell you a 70W ballast and you can get a reflector/socket housing from any hardware place.

anin · 02/18/2009, 08:50 PM

that sounds interesting....would 2 70watt be enough lighting for a 18" deep tank?

JoelNB · 02/18/2009, 09:14 PM

I think 70W metal halide is enough to stunt coralline algae directly facing it at 18 inches.

navychief · 02/21/2009, 10:47 PM

I have two metal halides. One burns white, the other bluish. Both are new. Which one is the one that is inaccurate for color at 15K?

tangtang clown · 02/23/2009, 01:40 PM

double

tangtang clown · 02/23/2009, 01:42 PM

I currently have a 75 gallon with mostly LPS softies and a couple of candy cane corals. I have a 4x 110 watt VHO retrofit kit with reflector. I need some advice about an idea I had. Can I remove the center two VHOs and add MHs. Maybe 2 150 watt MHs. Has anyone tried this? What bulbs, fixtures, etc do you all recommend? I have the VHOs mounted under the wooden canopy and I am curious if the MHs will be too close to the water. That is why I wanted to go with a lower wattage. I can take pics to show.

01/21/2009, 01:59 PM	#51
GREEKREEFER1 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Southwick, Ma Posts: 6	make sure you change out the 10k bulbs on that coral life pro to an xm 15k bulb. huge difference!!!! __________________ Dad-Fish-Hunt-Finance-Toyota-Reef Savvy 72x32x24 -Surreal Sump- Bubble King 250- Abyzz 200 Current Tank Info: Reef Savvy 72x32x24 & Reef Savvy surreal sump 100, 4x Radion gen4 pro’s

01/28/2009, 06:37 AM	#52
reefscape15 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Elmira Heights, NY Posts: 2,812	I had a question for somebody. I have 4 T-5's over my 54 gal corner bowfront now, a 12k, reef blue 10k, 460, and 420. Color is much better with this combination than with the 2 10k's and 2 460's that came with the fixture. A lot more reds, oranges, and purples came out with the newer bulbs, but i still love how the tank looks with just the actinics on. I am building a 250 watt s.e. MH fixture this weekend and i would like the tank to be as blue as possible. Which MH temp would give off the bluest look? I've heard that 20k's are good for the blue color but i've only seen the tanks in my LFS. Thanks guys! __________________ A new beginning........... JIM Current Tank Info: 5g standard softie/zoa tank, just starting a 20H

01/28/2009, 05:27 PM	#54
reefscape15 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Elmira Heights, NY Posts: 2,812	awesome! I love the look of the tank when it's not so white with the daytimes on. I can't wait to finish the new light. Thanks man! __________________ A new beginning........... JIM Current Tank Info: 5g standard softie/zoa tank, just starting a 20H

02/06/2009, 08:46 PM	#56
Ion Innovations Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Rifle, CO Posts: 56	How high above the water? My tank is 24 inches deep and 30 Gallons do you think I could put a 150, 175 or even 250 watt metal halide over it? I have a hood with a fan. The light will be suspended about 6 inches over the water. My filter is in the garage and I live in a fairly cool place so I have allot of cooling capacity. Any suggestion would be great. Thanks

02/07/2009, 06:38 PM	#57
Jp_here Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: NC Posts: 167	Never run MH before In the initail stages of planning a standard 125 gallon tank and looking into lighting options. I want to be able to keep about anything but most likely a mixed reef. Now if I choose to run 2 400w SE with supplimental antic lighting ... what are the chances I will have to run a chiller to cool the water? The sump will be around 30 gallons and the refungium will be a 100 gallon with flourcent bulbs. Oh I live in the southern US too.

01/28/2009, 09:22 AM	#53
jblincoe Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Olathe KS Posts: 30	20ks are really blue, there are also no rules as you can tailor what you like usting your t5s for suplimentation.

02/05/2009, 03:05 AM	#55
americanreefs Moved On Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 2	The ushio 20k bulbs work great and have a nice blue color.

02/08/2009, 08:31 AM	#58
MBVette Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Haymarket, VA Posts: 327	Im in the planning stages of what will be a 225g (72x24x30) tank. I would like to be able to set the tank up for a full reef tank including sps & lps corals. What would be my best route to go for lighting? Thanks

02/10/2009, 07:26 AM	#61
mike fail Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 97	whats the best brand of bulb its a 70 watt and i want a 14k

02/13/2009, 10:53 AM	#62
leoan Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 18	Im going crazy trying to decide on lights. Im trying to grow mostly LPS (acans and favias). Do you guys think a single bulb 250w MH fixture is too much OR should i go with a four, 36w bulb HoT5 fixture? My tank is 22 inches deep and is 48 gallons.

02/13/2009, 05:03 PM	#63
ecomdesign Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 458	I have a 90 gallon tank with 2 250MH SE bulbs. The lights are in a canopy and are only about 4" off the water. My temps run between 78-84 degrees. What do you think I should do to keep things running cooler?

02/13/2009, 06:18 PM	#65
ecomdesign Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 458	I will try modding my canopy and add a fan on my sump. I already have 1 fan on each side of the canopy. 1 blows in, 1 blows out. If the modded canopy and sump fan dont work, I'll add the extra fans at that time. thanks for the help!

02/16/2009, 02:20 PM	#66
aquadog11 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: milwaukee Posts: 273	How far up from tank I have 2 250 watt PFO mini's above A standard 120 Gal. AGA tank growing stony corals. How high above should they be mounted?

02/17/2009, 07:19 PM	#67
mike fail Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 97	has anyone bought those no name brands off ebay that are like 20$ are they decent?

02/18/2009, 09:09 AM	#68
anin Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: NJ Posts: 184	hey all,i am in the process of settting up a 50g breeder (36x18x18), it has a center brace. so my question is that if i went with a single MH bulb setup, that wouldn't be very wise? i was looking at the 150watt/ T5 combo fixtures on ebay, or one of currents 150w fixtures. I was also wondering does anyone make fixture that has maybe two 70watt setup? So basically i wanted something that wasn't too crazy on energy usage, so figured a single 150w MH setup was good, but problem is the middle brace on the tank..

02/18/2009, 10:23 AM	#69
anin Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: NJ Posts: 184	i came up with this place: http://www.fishneedit.com/index.html you can make your own setup with MH of your choice and T5..anyone have any experience with them?

02/18/2009, 03:53 PM	#70
JoelNB Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 247	There is a shop light which all electrical wholesalers I've spoken to refer to as 'the shoplighter'. It is a low profile reflector and ballast set for 70W double ended bulbs. Electrical wholesalers may also just sell you a 70W ballast and you can get a reflector/socket housing from any hardware place.

02/18/2009, 08:50 PM	#71
anin Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: NJ Posts: 184	that sounds interesting....would 2 70watt be enough lighting for a 18" deep tank?

02/18/2009, 09:14 PM	#72
JoelNB Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 247	I think 70W metal halide is enough to stunt coralline algae directly facing it at 18 inches.

02/21/2009, 10:47 PM	#73
navychief "Shellback" Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Maryland Posts: 541	15K metal halide color I have two metal halides. One burns white, the other bluish. Both are new. Which one is the one that is inaccurate for color at 15K? __________________ CadLights 70G, Radion XR30W Pro, 2 MP 10, Apexs, .25 HP chiller, 3 TLF reactors w/ Carbon/Bioballs, PM Kalk reactor, 24" Giesemann w/4 Actinic T5s/250W 15000K HQI, PM R30 Fuge, Cone-S Skimmer, RS Salt Current Tank Info: 1 Paracanthurus; 2 False Percula; 1 Monacanthidae; 1 Blue Chrysiptera cyanea; 1 Lysmata debelius; 1 Eucidaris

02/23/2009, 01:40 PM	#74
tangtang clown Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: The DUB, NC Posts: 2,711	double __________________ Mind over chatter.

02/23/2009, 01:42 PM	#75
tangtang clown Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: The DUB, NC Posts: 2,711	I currently have a 75 gallon with mostly LPS softies and a couple of candy cane corals. I have a 4x 110 watt VHO retrofit kit with reflector. I need some advice about an idea I had. Can I remove the center two VHOs and add MHs. Maybe 2 150 watt MHs. Has anyone tried this? What bulbs, fixtures, etc do you all recommend? I have the VHOs mounted under the wooden canopy and I am curious if the MHs will be too close to the water. That is why I wanted to go with a lower wattage. I can take pics to show. __________________ Mind over chatter.