Got my new light for my 55 today

Tony25 · 03/21/2007, 07:54 PM

Here is my new light on my 55. Its 2X150 watt metal halide. WIth 20k bulbs. My old lighting is 4X55w PC Now i can keep more then just soft coral. And i got it for 30% off. Its the coralife unit.

Entropy · 03/21/2007, 08:12 PM

Nice! A little on the blue side for my taste, but nice none the less. Congrats!

Jocool · 03/21/2007, 08:15 PM

i dont think your camera is showing us the true color, if it is its almost like looking at just leds.

luke33 · 03/21/2007, 08:20 PM

Lights look good man....you got a eheim canister and an aqua c remora in there man?

Tony25 · 03/21/2007, 08:47 PM

Yes. The cannister is just running carbon. And the skimmer is a SS 125. Ill have to take better pics tomorow. When im done looking at the tank everything looks dark when i come out if the room.

miztahphong2 · 03/21/2007, 08:57 PM

looks good dual halides over a 55, possibilities are endless

tangyreefer05 · 03/21/2007, 10:11 PM

Does it appear not as blue in person?

mile sq. reefer · 03/22/2007, 06:55 AM

It looks nice but the Coralife fixture comes with 20k bulbs, not the best "par" for SPS. I would try to swap these out for 14k's which will give you a crisp white/blue, or 10k's which will give you best par out of all the K ratings. Right now I run the 14k Sunpaq's that came with my fixture. I will upgrade soon to either Pheonix 14k (best par for a 14k ?) or AB 10k.

Tony25 · 03/22/2007, 07:54 AM

That sucks i got the bulbs thinking the 20k were the best to get. I took the pics too close to the tank but its def a blue spectrum.

tangyreefer05 · 03/22/2007, 09:07 AM

Tony, 20ks are nice if you don't have any actinic supplements.

Tony25 · 03/22/2007, 09:11 AM

I cant fit any actinic the light i just put on there barly fits i def couldent fit anymore lights on there. Did i cheat myself by going with the 20k over the 14k? Im thinking of taking a 2 hour round trip to take it back and get the one with 14k. But im unsure

Quote:

Originally posted by tangyreefer05
Tony, 20ks are nice if you don't have any actinic supplements.

tangyreefer05 · 03/22/2007, 09:19 AM

From my reading, I understood that 14k sometimes doesn't bring out the fluorescence that you would want to see on some corals. The 20k does, also has a lower PAR. 10k + t5 actinic is a nice combo but not everyones hood has room or optional T5. So from what I understood if you have zero actinic supplements the 20k will be good to bring out the fluorescence colors. 14k will be more white with little or no fluorescence.
Someone on here made me change my mind on 20ks and how they are good if you don't have t5 supplements.

Tony25 · 03/22/2007, 09:32 AM

Do you have 20k bulbs?

tangyreefer05 · 03/22/2007, 09:46 AM

No, getting t5s soon but was going to go with the same fixture you bought but in 36". And was set on 20ks from what I read even though I always thought they appeared to blue, but people say in person it's not as much as you think. I wish I could remember what thread I read. I don't know... I guess if YOU think the bulbs are way to blue and you want the white, then return it for the 14ks. Alot of it is personal preference. I guess I wanted to 20ks because I read that my LPS might not 'glow' like I wanted them to since I would have no actinics. If 14ks do this fine then I would get the 14ks, I suppose I would have. I like the white/blue look.

I'de like someone to give their response on 14k bulbs and how much can they make LPS and others 'glow' with only using 14ks.

Do you plan on SPS?

maybe get the 14k if you have no prob returning it.

J8851 · 03/22/2007, 09:48 AM

I like the reeflux 12k =D inbetween the 10 and 14 has a nice hint of purple/blue

tangyreefer05 · 03/22/2007, 09:52 AM

12k really.

Tony, will they allow you to return the bulbs and you could get new bulbs in exchange?

I guess if I was in your shoes. I would go return it and get a 14k version.

Tony25 · 03/22/2007, 09:56 AM

I should be able to return it. It doesent look so blue in person i mean yea its blue but too blue i dont know. I got the MH with plans on going sps. The fixture i had before this one was 4X55w PC.

Tony25 · 03/22/2007, 10:02 AM

The other fixture is the sunpod. One i have now is coralife.

tangyreefer05 · 03/22/2007, 10:18 AM

Oh so it would be a whole different fixture. Is it cheaper, or more money? It's up to you. Don't settle with a fixture u don't like just because of the bulbs... You could always use the 20ks now and replace them down the road. Or buy some new 14k phoenix and use 20ks as spares. I think if you had your tank decked out with some nice frags it wouldn't be as blue as you think. Yeah I mean it's probably blue but You don't have any corals atm (I didn't see any)

Tough call, I suppose if you could do the swap with no problems go for it. Or just get new bulbs now or later.

tangyreefer05 · 03/22/2007, 10:22 AM

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/Met...l_Halide_Bulb_(Double-ended)_by_Phoenix

Double-ended 150 watt 14000K metal halide bulb. HQI ballast required. Color: white with blue undertones; actinic supplementation not required, but can be used to provide additional coloration. Spectural signature and output virtually identical to Aqua Connect 14000K. Bulb must be used with UV-proof lens to filter out harmful UV rays. Recommended Ballasts: M81 - Magnetic HQI or "HQI" electronic.

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/Met...l_Halide_Bulb_(Double-ended)_by_Ushio

German-made, double-ended 150 watt 14000K metal halide bulb with excellent intensity and a balanced full light spectrum. Color: crisp white with just a hint of blue; actinic/blue supplementation recommended. Bulb must be used with UV-proof lens to filter out harmful UV rays. Recommended Ballasts: M81 - Magnetic HQI or "HQI" electronic.

Tony25 · 03/22/2007, 11:41 AM

I have a few coral in there but all small frags got a few zoos some leathers a hammer coral ( 1 stalk ) and some mushrooms. There just all small frags and my tank just went threw some cyano probs but it seems to be coming together. Also have alota detrius on my rocks thats also slowing going away. I got my tank used so it came with the probs she had before i got it.

tangyreefer05 · 03/23/2007, 01:33 PM

So what did you decide?

03/21/2007, 07:54 PM	#1
Tony25 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Baltimore,MD Posts: 344	Got my new light for my 55 today Here is my new light on my 55. Its 2X150 watt metal halide. WIth 20k bulbs. My old lighting is 4X55w PC Now i can keep more then just soft coral. And i got it for 30% off. Its the coralife unit.

03/21/2007, 08:12 PM	#2
Entropy Texas Reefer Join Date: May 2003 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 13,656	Nice! A little on the blue side for my taste, but nice none the less. Congrats! __________________ Rich Overton 150G cube FOWLR, 30g sump, ReefKeeperII, 3x Koralia 1400's, QuiteOne 3000, Reef Octopus DNWB150, 4x 30w Par38 LED. Current Tank Info: 36x36x27 150g

03/21/2007, 08:15 PM	#3
Jocool Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Englewood, CO Posts: 126	i dont think your camera is showing us the true color, if it is its almost like looking at just leds.

03/21/2007, 08:20 PM	#4
luke33 Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,375	Lights look good man....you got a eheim canister and an aqua c remora in there man?

03/21/2007, 08:47 PM	#5
Tony25 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Baltimore,MD Posts: 344	Yes. The cannister is just running carbon. And the skimmer is a SS 125. Ill have to take better pics tomorow. When im done looking at the tank everything looks dark when i come out if the room.

03/21/2007, 08:57 PM	#6
miztahphong2 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 53	looks good dual halides over a 55, possibilities are endless

03/21/2007, 10:11 PM	#7
tangyreefer05 Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Colorado Posts: 474	Does it appear not as blue in person?

03/22/2007, 06:55 AM	#8
mile sq. reefer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: NJ Posts: 2,045	It looks nice but the Coralife fixture comes with 20k bulbs, not the best "par" for SPS. I would try to swap these out for 14k's which will give you a crisp white/blue, or 10k's which will give you best par out of all the K ratings. Right now I run the 14k Sunpaq's that came with my fixture. I will upgrade soon to either Pheonix 14k (best par for a 14k ?) or AB 10k.

03/22/2007, 07:54 AM	#9
Tony25 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Baltimore,MD Posts: 344	That sucks i got the bulbs thinking the 20k were the best to get. I took the pics too close to the tank but its def a blue spectrum.

03/22/2007, 09:07 AM	#10
tangyreefer05 Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Colorado Posts: 474	Tony, 20ks are nice if you don't have any actinic supplements.

03/22/2007, 09:19 AM	#12
tangyreefer05 Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Colorado Posts: 474	From my reading, I understood that 14k sometimes doesn't bring out the fluorescence that you would want to see on some corals. The 20k does, also has a lower PAR. 10k + t5 actinic is a nice combo but not everyones hood has room or optional T5. So from what I understood if you have zero actinic supplements the 20k will be good to bring out the fluorescence colors. 14k will be more white with little or no fluorescence. Someone on here made me change my mind on 20ks and how they are good if you don't have t5 supplements.

03/22/2007, 09:32 AM	#13
Tony25 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Baltimore,MD Posts: 344	Do you have 20k bulbs?

03/22/2007, 09:46 AM	#14
tangyreefer05 Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Colorado Posts: 474	No, getting t5s soon but was going to go with the same fixture you bought but in 36". And was set on 20ks from what I read even though I always thought they appeared to blue, but people say in person it's not as much as you think. I wish I could remember what thread I read. I don't know... I guess if YOU think the bulbs are way to blue and you want the white, then return it for the 14ks. Alot of it is personal preference. I guess I wanted to 20ks because I read that my LPS might not 'glow' like I wanted them to since I would have no actinics. If 14ks do this fine then I would get the 14ks, I suppose I would have. I like the white/blue look. I'de like someone to give their response on 14k bulbs and how much can they make LPS and others 'glow' with only using 14ks. Do you plan on SPS? maybe get the 14k if you have no prob returning it.

03/22/2007, 09:48 AM	#15
J8851 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,308	I like the reeflux 12k =D inbetween the 10 and 14 has a nice hint of purple/blue

03/22/2007, 09:52 AM	#16
tangyreefer05 Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Colorado Posts: 474	12k really. Tony, will they allow you to return the bulbs and you could get new bulbs in exchange? I guess if I was in your shoes. I would go return it and get a 14k version.

03/22/2007, 09:56 AM	#17
Tony25 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Baltimore,MD Posts: 344	I should be able to return it. It doesent look so blue in person i mean yea its blue but too blue i dont know. I got the MH with plans on going sps. The fixture i had before this one was 4X55w PC.

03/22/2007, 10:02 AM	#18
Tony25 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Baltimore,MD Posts: 344	The other fixture is the sunpod. One i have now is coralife.

03/22/2007, 10:18 AM	#19
tangyreefer05 Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Colorado Posts: 474	Oh so it would be a whole different fixture. Is it cheaper, or more money? It's up to you. Don't settle with a fixture u don't like just because of the bulbs... You could always use the 20ks now and replace them down the road. Or buy some new 14k phoenix and use 20ks as spares. I think if you had your tank decked out with some nice frags it wouldn't be as blue as you think. Yeah I mean it's probably blue but You don't have any corals atm (I didn't see any) Tough call, I suppose if you could do the swap with no problems go for it. Or just get new bulbs now or later.

03/22/2007, 10:22 AM	#20
tangyreefer05 Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Colorado Posts: 474	http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/Met...l_Halide_Bulb_(Double-ended)_by_Phoenix Double-ended 150 watt 14000K metal halide bulb. HQI ballast required. Color: white with blue undertones; actinic supplementation not required, but can be used to provide additional coloration. Spectural signature and output virtually identical to Aqua Connect 14000K. Bulb must be used with UV-proof lens to filter out harmful UV rays. Recommended Ballasts: M81 - Magnetic HQI or "HQI" electronic. http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/Met...l_Halide_Bulb_(Double-ended)_by_Ushio German-made, double-ended 150 watt 14000K metal halide bulb with excellent intensity and a balanced full light spectrum. Color: crisp white with just a hint of blue; actinic/blue supplementation recommended. Bulb must be used with UV-proof lens to filter out harmful UV rays. Recommended Ballasts: M81 - Magnetic HQI or "HQI" electronic.

03/22/2007, 11:41 AM	#21
Tony25 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Baltimore,MD Posts: 344	I have a few coral in there but all small frags got a few zoos some leathers a hammer coral ( 1 stalk ) and some mushrooms. There just all small frags and my tank just went threw some cyano probs but it seems to be coming together. Also have alota detrius on my rocks thats also slowing going away. I got my tank used so it came with the probs she had before i got it.

03/23/2007, 01:33 PM	#22
tangyreefer05 Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Colorado Posts: 474	So what did you decide?