Lighting.....

Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2003 4:20 pm

Lets see..... what is everyone running for lights and what color temp??? Do you have a favorite MH bulb?? PC bulb..... VHO bulb.....
What about ballasts???

Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2003 4:28 pm

Currently I am running 4-95 watt VHO URI bulbs. 2 - Super Actinic and 2 - Aqua Suns on my 75 gallon 18" deep reef tank. I keep a wide range of corals from Softies, LPS, and a few SPS as well as Gorgonians and a Squamosa Clam.

I just purchased a 2 - 250 watt 10K Aqualine AB Metal Halid set-up with PFO Electronic Ballast (Dual 250 watts). Also, 2 large reflectors. I still need tp purchase new bulbs and cords (that connect from the ballast to the sockets).

I really like 10K MH's because most give off a crisp white color. Added lighting such as Actinics will help bring out the glow in corals as well. For propagation tanks, or tanks where people would like corals to grow fast and don't mind a bit of yellow, I would recommend 65K MH's since it is the most natural. The yellow given off my these MH's can be diminished with added Actinics.

Rock Anemone Cool

Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2003 4:30 pm

Let's see. Currently I run 2x175 AB MH's and 1x110 watt URI super actinic VHO on my 55 gallon mixed reef. URI's are the best VHO/NO bulb hands down. MH really depends on your personal taste for color. I think I'm going to add a 65 watt PC actinic to round out the spectrum a little bit.

Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2003 4:35 pm

ride, how do you like that lighting so far? Any pros and/or cons? Any pictures?

I am hearing a lot about the new CoralVue MH bulbs but think I may stick with AB's until I see more reviews on the CoralVue's.

Rock Anemone Cool

Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2003 4:36 pm

I don't own a Saltwater tank, I used to help a friend out with a 125g SW tank he used to have... It was FOWLR, but he had 4 96W PC bulbs, from CustomSeaLife I believe... They were very nice. Very Happy

Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2003 5:37 pm

im setting up my tank and im gettind 2 250 watt 10k retro kit. it also has added vho atanics. im getting it from my lfs.

Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2003 6:10 pm

Right now its two act/w,one aqua sun and one super act VHOs,also running two 55 watt PCs for dawn-dusk.

Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2003 2:21 pm

Rock Anemone wrote:

ride, how do you like that lighting so far? Any pros and/or cons? Any pictures?

I am hearing a lot about the new CoralVue MH bulbs but think I may stick with AB's until I see more reviews on the CoralVue's.

Rock Anemone Cool

The MH bulbs are great. The only thing I still want to do is add more actinics. It's a nice crisp white, but I prefer a little more purple. I have an extra PC ballast lying around. I think I'll throw a 65 watter in there.

Posted: Sun Sep 28, 2003 3:58 pm

I added a 65 watt actinic PC today. The difference in color is amazing.

Posted: Sun Sep 28, 2003 7:07 pm

in my 37 gal Oceanic,Im running 4-24" 50/50 vho's total watts 300,coralife electronic ballast,with a home made reflector in my home made canopy,I was running a JBJ retro kit 2-65 watters,anyone need a 2month old pc retro Smile

Icereefer

Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2003 3:52 am

Well lets see.
two 250 watt CoralVue MH bulbs, PFO Ballast
four 55 watt Hamilton actinic bulbs, Fulham ballasts(Workhorse 5's)
one 110 watt VHO URI super actinic bulb, Fulham Ballast(Workhorse 5)
all on a 90 gallon AGA tank

This will soon be a 120 AGA tank customed drill on order.
Will add one more 110 watt VHO, undetermined yet on color spectrum.

Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2003 7:10 am

Dennis
Interesting tank and lights.Is the 120 going to be the 4 ft model?Oh,and welcome to the board!!!

Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2003 7:40 am

Thanks for the welcome.
Yes the tank is a 4 foot model, I will probably have it in 2 weeks.
When I built my stand I made provisions so it could house a 90gal or 120gal. I was going to get a fish only tank, and just decided to get the bigger tank for the reef and use the 90 for my fish only.

Posted: Sat Nov 01, 2003 8:17 pm

I have 2 standard 250 watt mh xm 20k,yuk going to remove very soon.

I have 6 150 watt PFO hqi pendants,4 10k and 2 20k. I really like.

4 250 watt hqi PFO pendants all 10k, super intense.

2 400 watt 20k radiums on PFO hqi pendants. Frequent bulb changing.

2 standard 250 watt iwasaki bulbs,yellow but awesome coral growth.

3 T-5 Tek Lights from Sunlight Supply. Nice but if you love halides stick with the halides. Good altrnatinve to PC's and VHO.

I also have one Giesemann Nova II pendant in 250 watt. This is a de bulb and electronic ballast. Sharp looking and very nice. The quality is definately worth a few dollars more.

gooch

Posted: Sat Nov 01, 2003 11:16 pm

gooch.. glad I don't recieve your light bill every month.. LOL Very Happy