10k or a 20k MH ???

[1salt]

I know I want to go with a 400 watt MH over my 65 gallon Hex, but what to get I'm not too sure. ;)

[Jimnorris]

This should be a good thread. I like the XM 20,000k 400 watt but I supplement with a 10,000k PCs.
Jim

[JimD]

Here we go,
I recently switched from a 400w 20k XM on my 65 to a Ushio 10k with actinic suppliment, although the XM seemed to flouresce certain colors, it also seemed to (over time) wash out other colors, the Ushio combo on the other hand, has nice intensity and good coloration on some corals and not quite as vibrant on others,. so, to summarize, Im still scratching my head trying too find the perfect lighting for my tank. Experiment untill you find what you like personaly. Its all a matter of preference.
Jim

[matt]

I'm also using ushio 10K MH with actinic (vho) support. I really like the color, and like JimD, I feel that the ushios are a good combination of intensity and color. They're really white; with almost no apparent coloration, and the intensity seems closer to that of iwasakis than it does to the bluer bulbs. I also like having the flexibility of running just the actinics for a decent sunrise/sunset effect.

Now, Jim Norris's tank looks spectacular with the XMs. The color is really terrific, but I think he's running alot of bulbs to get the intensity needed. Jim has a chiller, so its cool, so to speak, but maybe without a chiller Jim would have some heat issues. What do you think, Jim?

You know, a good addition to this thread would be some of Sanjay Joshi's findings on PPFD (maybe the best measure of useful light intensity) values for various bulbs. I don't think he's done the XM, but from what I remember, the iwasakis were very high, the ushios not too far off, and the rest of the higher temp bulbs had way lower PPFD.

[alexwolf]

I have 3 400w 20k set up right now. Daniel, if you ever get the time come by and take a look.

[TexasState]

You can compare Alexwolf's 400 Watts 20K system against my 175Watts 10K system to see which is brighter. :lol:
I would recommend a 10K MH bulb supplemented by two Actinic bulb.

I just bought a T5 Pendant system w/ 4 bulbs:
http://www.happyreefing.com

[brewercm]

Vinh,

I thought you were quiting. :-D

[Richard]

Has anyone tried the blueline 10000K+ bulbs? I'm trying to decide on lighting for a 30 cube I'm setting up at the store. MH will be the only lighting so I'm leaning towards the XM 20000K but have read that the blueline 10000K+ bulbs are a very nice looking bulb as well.

http://www.bluelineaquatics.com/MH_Lamps/mh_lamps.html

[1salt]

Good response, keep them coming, thanks people!!! :idea:

[matt]

I've seen the blueline bulbs. John Moffet used them for a while. He hated them, and they tested vary badly as far as PPFD. They're really blue, and don't last, acording to John.

[TexasState]

MH will be the only lighting so I'm leaning towards the XM 20000K but have read that the blueline 10000K+ bulbs are a very nice looking bulb as well.


Tim Marvin used the 400W version for awhile, and his tank looks awsome. The 175W version of that bulb is too dim. IMHO, those bulb don't have a long time.

I thought you were quiting.
I'm supposed to quit in December or May, but until then, I'm upgrading my 29G into a 55G reef, and convert the 29G reef into a freshwater tank.
-Kicking it hard until the end. :twisted:

[Jimnorris]

Matt,
Without my chiller my water temp is at 88. With the chiller my temp is 82 to 83 after all the lights come on. I actually need a bigger chiller so I can put more lights on the tank. And I am adding a second SCWD (close loop) and then I can remove (many) powerheads from my tank. Here is what I have been thinking about my lighting. 12 400 watt MHs, 6 20,000k XMs and 6 10,000k Ushios. = = =center brace ===. Ushios in the rear and XMs up front? Then removed all the pcs I use for supplementation. What do you think?
Jim

[Jimnorris]

Should be a spot of heaven!

[matt]

Wow! that would really be something, Jim. Although, I can hear the electric company popping the corks on their champagne as we speak... You'd have to get Ray bans for the fish, but your corals would be really something; I bet the color would improve even from what you've got now.

Have you considered going to DE HQI? It would lower your wattage, I guess by 1800 watts if you used 12 bulbs. I'm sure you've thought about this. Also, a while back Eric Borneman posted some message about a new, great source he found for 1000W mh fixtures; maybe it was a hydroponics place, I can't remember. You might contact him; I think we've been threatening to bring him as a speaker for a meeting one of these months.

[brewercm]

Jim,

Just curious what size tank all them lights are on. You have your own Sea World going there or what.

[Jimnorris]

My tank is 240 gallons 8x2x2. And actually Seaworld is using 400 watt radiums on most of their tanks. I gave them a MX 20,000k to try and am waiting on a report back. Matt I thought about 1,000 watts but I am not sure? Questions on the 1,000 watters: My tank is only 2 feet deep (I think 1,000 watters are too much? How big is the hot spot into the tank? And finally color?
Jim

[Goofball310]

http://www.coralreefecosystems.com/

Try this site out. It can help you with your decision.

Click on lighiting; then bulb comparison

When it comes to choosing bulbs, I think that is best that you choose it for yourself. Going on what people recommend, might not be exactly what you prefer in your tank. At this site, you will be able to compare how different color bulbs will illuminate your tank.