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View Full Version : Too much light?


JeremyGlen
Tue, 18th Apr 2006, 10:18 AM
Is there anyone out there that believes you can have too much light over your tank?
falcondob
Tue, 18th Apr 2006, 10:29 AM
It would depend on what you have in the tank. The effects of too much light can be heat problems and bleaching. Borneman says you can have too much. (See "Corals" by Eric Borneman).
ATMgueedo
Tue, 18th Apr 2006, 11:55 AM
Is 1000W of light over a 100g too much?
JeremyGlen
Tue, 18th Apr 2006, 12:03 PM
So, my 250w 10000K DE bulb over my 24.8 gallon tank that is 17" deep may be too much.
falcondob
Tue, 18th Apr 2006, 12:11 PM
Yep, I would keep it. 250W/25 gallons = 10 watts per gallon. In the upper end for sure, but not out of whack. Just watch putting things high in the tank that are low light creatures.

Also agree with Joshua, 14k would probably be a better color, unless you are trying to get a lot of growth on corals. Probably not a whole lot of difference in growth, however.
JeremyGlen
Tue, 18th Apr 2006, 02:20 PM
I have been thinking about putting a 14K or 14.5K on the tank, but its so hard convincing myself to spend another $75 on a bulb when mine is only 2 months old. I really would like the color and coral coloration of a 14K or even a 20K.
dwdenny
Tue, 18th Apr 2006, 02:26 PM
Could always sell the one you dont like. At 2 months depending on the hours of opperation it is broke in and ready to go if you sale the 10kk. At least that is the way I see it. Plus you can get back a little money on it that way.
JeremyGlen
Tue, 18th Apr 2006, 02:39 PM
I may try and sell it. May 1 would be 3 months old. It is a Reef-Lux 10K DE.
brewercm
Tue, 18th Apr 2006, 03:45 PM
What do you think of the color of the reef-lux 10K DE. I haven't heard anything about the DE bulbs yet. I have the 14K hamiltons and love the color.
hobogato
Tue, 18th Apr 2006, 03:59 PM
i have some on my tank, and i like them. they are not yellow at all - very crisp white.
JeremyGlen
Wed, 19th Apr 2006, 04:09 PM
The color is good, but everything I've heard is that they shift very fast. It is a nice white color, but a bit yellow for me. I went from 20Ks on my old tanks to this 10K, so it sways my opinion a little.
Brett Wilson
Wed, 19th Apr 2006, 04:41 PM
Speaking of a lot of light on a smallish tank, I've had my best color/growth with two 400W SE radiums on a 40g breeder, but it was hard controling the heat and then the algae once I let the bulbs get way too old.

BTW - Watts/Gallon is not an accurate method to measure lighting for an aquarium.

I'm about to put a 250W DE 14KK phoenix driven by an icecap elect. on my 30g cube, i'll post the results of this down the road on maast for sure.