Looking for light bulb specs

[rocketeer]

Hi all,

Maybe I'm way off here but here's my thinking. Instead of saying "These lights look great in so-and-so's tank so I'll use that", I thought I'd try to do some math and see what it takes to mimic nature. This might be an interesting exercise.

I think my target, neglecting spectral considerations, is a PAR of about 500 uE/m2/sec for the area of my tank where I would like to keep SPS corals. Please correct me if I'm wrong. I know this only applies for the peak hours of the day. That's 2000 surface PAR attenuated 75% by 10 meters of water.

I'm looking for a few pieces of information. Does anybody know where I can find the spectrum of sunlight at a depth of about 10 to 15 meters? Is this the depth I should be thinking about for things like Acropora? I think corals adapt to low light easier than they adapt to too much light. They just may not look as good with low light.

More importantly, does anybody know where I can find spectrums and PAR values at any distance for various light bulds? I'm having trouble finding data. I'm interested in VHOs, PCs and MHs.

I'm open to hearing people's experiance/opinions on this topic. I'm sure I'm not the only one wondering.

Thank You
Jack

[R_S_C]

here's some pics and par values from another site

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=254667

[whatsareef]

I wonder is anyone using the XM 10K? After looking at those specs I would be interested in trying out those bulbs...

[Ed]

We have the 175W XM 10K bulbs in the show tank at AA.

Also have two 250W XM 10K bulbs in stock ($65 each).

HTH

-Ed

[rocketeer]

Wow, thats a long thread. But very good. Thanks.

[Stephen]

Ed - How much are the 175w 10K XM bulbs?

[Ed]

Ed - How much are the 175w 10K XM bulbs?

Stephen,

The 175W XM 10K bulbs run $59 each. I have two in stock.

How many do you need?

-Ed

[Tim Marvin]

Jack, if you send me to Palau I'd be happy to dive and get you some readings...........

[rocketeer]

I'll hold the meter! :-D

[Instar]

I believe 10 to 15 meters are not where the greater part of our branching sps come from. BTA's come from there though and the red ones from much deeper than that. The Figi farm is at about 3 meters down from what I've been told.