reef lighting

[tomroeiii]

I decided to build a cannopy for my 45 gallon corner show tank, I am going to have two 65 watt accentic blue power compacts running along the two back sides, I did it this way to make room for a spider reflector and a metal halide directly in the middle, I have decided on a 250 watt metal halide for the center, but which one 5500, 10, 14 20, does any one know what the ratio should be in watts, for accentic, to which metal halide to run? From what I have read, it should be even wattage, of blue to 5500 K but what would the ratio be for 250 watt MH / 130 watt blue accentic?

[GaryP]

I would recommend 10K to get a good color balance as well as growth.

[cpreefguy]

Go for the 10k like Gary said. It is your best bet as far as growth, and color go. Just remember, the higher on the Kelvin color temp scale, the less the light output. I wouldnt recommend the 5500k tho.

[GaryP]

I've run 6500K bulbs. Great growth, lousy color. I ran 14K too - great color, only fair growth. 10K is a compromise.

[cpreefguy]

Yep. What is growth without good color...

[NaCl_H2O]

In my SPS I am runing 65K Iwasakis' (which I think actually run closer to 7600) along with VHO Actinics. Good growth, and I like the color, but then I really don't like "Blue" tanks - to each his own!

[cpreefguy]

So true.

[GaryP]

No single bulb can give you the balanced spectrum we would like and maximum growth. My "ideal" tank would probably have 6.5K, 14K MH plus super actinic T5s. That should cover everything and give me both the PAR and visually pleasing aspects that I want.

[jaded]

if you want to see a side by side comparison (http://metricksystem.com/chris/250wcolour/) check this guys site

there seems to be a ton of questions about this topic... this is at least the 3rd time I've posted this link in just a couple of days. But it really helped me a lot. also the link below the pic will lead you to the comparison chart, this guy did a bunch of research and work to put all that together