Lighting

[beareef19]

I would like to know what spectrum or K value everyone is running on their tanks and a reason why they do or dont like them I will be running 2 400w se but I am not sure what K value to get as of yet, that is why I would like some input from my fellow Maastards


Thanks
Barry

[hobogato]

12kk reeflux - tank doesnt look too blue, but corals have nice color and growth is comparable to 10kk which was too yellow for me.

[caferacermike]

It all depends upon what your intentions are. Higher K is good for color but slows growth. It may even starve some corals that need other colors to survive. It depends upon whether this is a reef tank or fish only. Fish only most people go with higher K for that bright freaky fish color enhancement. It will matter if you plan on running supplemental actinic lighting.

The main theory is run a 10K-14K halide with supplemental VHO, PC, or T5 actinics. That way you can simulate dawn, mid day, and dusk photo periods, have good growth and great color.

On my reef I run 2x 250w 14K halides 8 hours for color and growth with 200w PC 20K actinics for color only at 12 hours a day.

[beareef19]

It will be a reef tank it is 27in deep I plan on putting actinic on it in the near future. Wife likes the bluer color but I know I need the lower K for better growth.

[Texreefer]

I'm with Ace i run 400w SE 12K Reeflux and like them alot

[mathias]

Im going to be running xm 20k 400 watt bulbs.... and vho supplements what vho bulbs you think I should get?

[urban79]

20ks about to go to 14s

[beareef19]

OK this is a good start but why do you like this spectrum? Reasons.

Barry

[sharkboy]

Presently, I have two 400 watt 14k and one 400 watt 10k....I am thinking about changing the 10k in the middle to a 12k....by the way, what kind of single ended bulb can I run on a hamilton magnetic ballast? hamilton does not make a 12 k bulb....

[brewercm]

I'm running Hamilton 14K DEs and VHO actinic. I like the bluer look but not quite as blue as a 20K bulb. I'm thinking next bulb change about going over to the 12K reeflux also so it's not quite as blue and growth may be a little better.

[kkutac001]

I read somewhere -- on WetWebMedia I believe, but I can't swear to that, so take this comment fwiw -- I read that MH bulbs decline in their Kelvin values over the lifetime of the bulb. So, by that logic, a 20k bulb should have a longer usable lifespan. I would be facinated to see a test done, using whatever instrument it is that is used to measure such things (lux meter? PAR meter?). Light output could be measured in situ each month, so we could know the real story. ..Karl

[alton]

In a little over 12 months running 9 hrs a day with my 2-175 12K Reeflux lamps one has dropped 10%, but the other is still at 100% which is unusual. Most lamps start declining after 8 months. I check it monthly with a Lux/FC meter. After losing SPS with lamps that did not hold up I check with a meter because you can tell just with your eyes. I have not experienced a shift in color. I have 12K Reeflux on 2 of my 3 tanks. On these two tanks I only run MH's with no actinics with good growth. Reeflux lamps are made for electronic ballast, not all lamps are. It like having the best of both worlds, the blue look with the brightness of 10K. There about a 20% difference between running these lamps on electronic and mag ballast. Sorry if I got off the subject a little but the best way to get what you want is to go look at different tanks and see the different colors of the lamps mentioned.

[caferacermike]

KK, I believe on Sanjay's site he says it's more of a loss of intensity. He recommends just lowering your lighting closer to the water rather then get new bulbs.

[LoneStar]

Here is Sanjay's website if anyone hasn't been there before:

http://www.reeflightinginfo.arvixe.com/

[sharkboy]

So...will a 12k reeflux bulb light off of a magnetic ballast?

[brewercm]

It may light but may also not put out proper PAR and spectrum may be off. Best to run them on electronic since that's what they recommentd.

[alton]

Yes a mag ballast will run a 12K Reeflux lamp and it will look fine. It is just that it will be 20% brighter on a electronic ballast. I ran mine on a mag ballast for a couple of months before switching over to electronic. I did this exp. on both 175 and 250 MH