MH type lighting

Haksar · 10/04/2008, 10:31 AM

I have a 100g tank,with 2 150W/20K MH.Tank is mainly a little of LPS,zoas and mushrooms.Its time to change my MH bulbs so was thinking of using 2 150 W/10K MH or 2 150 W/14K MH.

Please advise.

sps1-2-b · 10/04/2008, 10:45 AM

I personally don't like the look of 10K. I use 20K because I like the bluer look. It's all personal preference. IMO if you change it to 10K, I would decrease the light period 2 hrs or so for the first week due to the increase in par (to allow the corals to get use to the new bright light).

sdietz2469 · 10/04/2008, 10:58 AM

i truely like the 20k also, but i would go to the radiums, cuz they arent quite so blue, the have aslight blu tint,
shane

Bonneville08 · 10/04/2008, 11:23 AM

Depending on the depth of your tank, the 10K would probably be OK. The blue light goes deeper in saltwater. I think from 10 to 20K is a matter of whether it is pleasing to your eye. When I shut off my actinics, leaving 10K MH on, the water looks yellow. Most of the MH pendants I have seen are 14 or 20K without actinics.
Hope this helps.

rogergolf66 · 10/04/2008, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bonneville08
Depending on the depth of your tank, the 10K would probably be OK. The blue light goes deeper in saltwater. I think from 10 to 20K is a matter of whether it is pleasing to your eye. When I shut off my actinics, leaving 10K MH on, the water looks yellow. Most of the MH pendants I have seen are 14 or 20K without actinics.
Hope this helps.

x2

also remember just saying 10K 14K 20K is not good enough. from one brand to another 20K bulbs are much different (that is an example).

Haksar · 10/04/2008, 12:12 PM

I am using a SYLVANIA/OSRAM CORAL life brand MH.With the 20K the looks are much better.However Sice Iam fighting brown algae also would you recommend a 10k/14k light setup.Tank depth/height is 50cms and the light fixture is set up 30cms above the tank.

Bonneville08 · 10/04/2008, 03:03 PM

I would recommend identifying the algae, identifying and correcting the nutrient level causing the algae. Your description begs me to ask if the algae is also filmy and covering glass, sand and rock as well as brown. If so, my guess is diatoms. IME diatoms are driven by silica, and using RO/DI water for changes and make up is indicated. If hair algae, I would look at Nitrate and Phosphate as likely culprits.
IMO you should choose lighting based on your livestock or your taste, not based on algae or lack thereof.

rogergolf66 · 10/04/2008, 03:28 PM

well said

Bonneville08 · 10/04/2008, 07:04 PM

Thanks for the backup Roger

Haksar · 10/05/2008, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bonneville08
Thanks for the backup Roger

The algae is more on the sand and its brownish and a few rocks are very minutely covered with brown color.Yes I have HA on one rock only,it just started recently.My tank is one year old and I have only 4 chromis and one six line wrasse.Corals are 3 mushrooms,3 zoas,02 star polyps and one candy cane.
I also have a 30 gallon sump with an aqua medic skimmer and yet to set up Korallin C1502 CR.Sorry also a chinese product SunSun wavemaker blowing 5000l/h.My sump lights are on 24hrs.I am using RO/DI water and SERA salt.

Lights - 02 150 W/20K MH
02 Actinics/54 W-Aqua Medic
02 White lights/54 W - Aqua Medic
Ph is 8.3 at peak and 8.1 at night.
Cal 380ppm
Mag - 800ppm
Alk- 8
Nitrate - 10

pledosophy · 10/05/2008, 12:25 AM

I use 14k Phoenix and like the color without supplemental bulbs.

JME

Haksar · 10/05/2008, 06:01 AM

You mean 14k MH,is that the only lights you use.

10/04/2008, 10:31 AM	#1
Haksar Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Dubai Posts: 1,041	MH type lighting I have a 100g tank,with 2 150W/20K MH.Tank is mainly a little of LPS,zoas and mushrooms.Its time to change my MH bulbs so was thinking of using 2 150 W/10K MH or 2 150 W/14K MH. Please advise. __________________ Haksar

10/04/2008, 10:58 AM	#3
sdietz2469 stickhead n chalice freak Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Milwaukie, OR 97267 Posts: 529	i truely like the 20k also, but i would go to the radiums, cuz they arent quite so blue, the have aslight blu tint, shane __________________ King Of Aquatico Island corals are like crack, but more expensive, and you cant OD on them.... Current Tank Info: 300DD sps dominant, ATB Med ext w/airstar 4-6105s, apex, geo 618 CaRx, PM 620 kalk, 500 gal total water. Check out my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2116897

10/04/2008, 11:23 AM	#4
Bonneville08 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Goodyear, AZ Posts: 513	Depending on the depth of your tank, the 10K would probably be OK. The blue light goes deeper in saltwater. I think from 10 to 20K is a matter of whether it is pleasing to your eye. When I shut off my actinics, leaving 10K MH on, the water looks yellow. Most of the MH pendants I have seen are 14 or 20K without actinics. Hope this helps. __________________ Edge you mah cating myself Check out my gallery if you desire. Current Tank Info: 50 gallon mix of soft, LPS and SPS, two croceas, two maximas, a few fish, turf filter with skimmer, MH and PC lighting, chiller, Calcium Reactor and wave2k.

10/04/2008, 12:12 PM	#6
Haksar Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Dubai Posts: 1,041	I am using a SYLVANIA/OSRAM CORAL life brand MH.With the 20K the looks are much better.However Sice Iam fighting brown algae also would you recommend a 10k/14k light setup.Tank depth/height is 50cms and the light fixture is set up 30cms above the tank. __________________ Haksar

10/04/2008, 03:03 PM	#7
Bonneville08 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Goodyear, AZ Posts: 513	I would recommend identifying the algae, identifying and correcting the nutrient level causing the algae. Your description begs me to ask if the algae is also filmy and covering glass, sand and rock as well as brown. If so, my guess is diatoms. IME diatoms are driven by silica, and using RO/DI water for changes and make up is indicated. If hair algae, I would look at Nitrate and Phosphate as likely culprits. IMO you should choose lighting based on your livestock or your taste, not based on algae or lack thereof. __________________ Edge you mah cating myself Check out my gallery if you desire. Current Tank Info: 50 gallon mix of soft, LPS and SPS, two croceas, two maximas, a few fish, turf filter with skimmer, MH and PC lighting, chiller, Calcium Reactor and wave2k.

10/04/2008, 10:45 AM	#2
sps1-2-b Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Anaheim, CA Posts: 1,248	I personally don't like the look of 10K. I use 20K because I like the bluer look. It's all personal preference. IMO if you change it to 10K, I would decrease the light period 2 hrs or so for the first week due to the increase in par (to allow the corals to get use to the new bright light).

10/04/2008, 03:28 PM	#8
rogergolf66 im an addict lol Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Land o lakes, FLorida Posts: 12,930	well said __________________ Goal levels: salinity 35ppt, temp 78-79, alk 8-9, cal 430-450, mag 1310-1400 po4 .03, no3 1-3 Current Tank Info: System 1... 100 gal Zoa tank I built, 30 gal Ric Yuma shroom tank, 30 gal mix tank my sons,40 gal softie tank, 40 gal nem tank, two 40 gal LPS tank. System 2... 240 gal SPS display attached 100 gal frag SPS only tank.

10/04/2008, 07:04 PM	#9
Bonneville08 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Goodyear, AZ Posts: 513	Thanks for the backup Roger __________________ Edge you mah cating myself Check out my gallery if you desire. Current Tank Info: 50 gallon mix of soft, LPS and SPS, two croceas, two maximas, a few fish, turf filter with skimmer, MH and PC lighting, chiller, Calcium Reactor and wave2k.

10/05/2008, 12:25 AM	#11
pledosophy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Beaverton Posts: 5,290	I use 14k Phoenix and like the color without supplemental bulbs. JME __________________ 120g mixed reef 90g QT

10/05/2008, 06:01 AM	#12
Haksar Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Dubai Posts: 1,041	You mean 14k MH,is that the only lights you use. __________________ Haksar