150 or 250 DE's for a 72 bowfront?

[DT's_Reef]

I think 10k lighting with VHO actinics looks really nice, and prefer it to 20k.

With 10k, it seems the light takes on the qualities of whatever dominant color is in your tank. If you have a lot of algae, it'll look more yellow. If you have tons of coralline and nicely colored SPS, it'll look more blue/white.

Actually, I've been waiting for my Giesemann lights since December 9th. Not totally their fault as I ordered Nova II pendants which came in about a month later, but then I changed my mind and wanted the 230 Eco Plus because it has supplemental actinic lighting built-in. I wish they had T5 actinics instead of PC.

I think Sunlight Supply will have such a fixture shortly.

 

[MadTownMax]

I know it might be a moot point as the actinics in the fixtures you guys are talking about are for color only and intensity is not a big issue...... but do you worry about PC's loosing about 75% of their intensity when higher than 3-4" from the water's surface......

That's one reason I was going w/ ROIII+'s ( a fixture without supplemental's built-in), then I was going to toss in a couple 4' T5's retro'd into my hood, about 1" from the water (yes, I know that those superactinic VHO's put out more punch, but I'd rather replace my bulbs every 2 years, not every 6 months)


any comments, or am I just over-analyzing this lighting thing.....

 

[DT's_Reef]

Madtown -- I don't think you're overanalyzing. I agree that the PC's included in the halide combo hoods are generally useless except that they provide a tinge of color to the water. I would much prefer T5's. My current set-up has two 54w T5's mounted 3" above the water.

I figure it's best to rely upon the halides to color up the SPS nicely.

 

[bowfront]

I've got the same size tank and have tried all kinds of lighting arrangments over it including both 150w DE and 250w DE. I finally settled on 2x250w DE (10k) + 220w VHO actinic. If you want as much light as you are going to need for anything I would suggest this route. IMO you should be able to control the heat with a little ingenuity and without a chiller. Heck I live in southern Florida without one and I'm getting by in the summer with only fans and central AC.

 

[MadTownMax]

Now it's just going to be a questions of aesthetics. I originally ordered 20K bulbs, but those wouldn't be available for a month, so I'm getting some 10K's (wish I could have found some megachromes - when I can I'm going to get a pair of those, and save the bulbs I have as back-up's). I'm going to run some T5's for supplements. Pics to follow (nothing spectacular for sure, unless you're really interested in how my mushrooms or flame angel looks under them, lol), hopefully will get the lights next week.

 

[DT's_Reef]

MadTown - did you call AquaTek in Austin, TX about the Megachromes? They're the only supplier. You can also e-mail Roger Vitko who runs the Tunze Forum on RC as he owns AquaTek.

My Giesemann setup with Megachromes will be delivered today. Can't wait!

 

[MadTownMax]

DT's_Reef-

Nah, I had no idea where to find them - thanks for the info, I'll definately be checking that out, any e-mail or phone # for AquaTek (PM if you must ). Keep me posted on how they look - are you going to post some pictures when you get the lights?

I am definately going to get some T-5's, but I want to bring the red out, so if the Megachrome's don't have much in the red spectrum, I'll supplement w/ some 6.5K T5's, or if the megachrome's are more white I'll get actinic (well as close to actinic as possible) T5's.

 

[DT's_Reef]

MadTown --

Here's AquaTek's information:

Aquatek Tropical Fish
8023 Burnet Road
Austin, Texas
78757
Tel: (512)450-0182
Fax: (512)833-7546

You can ask for Aaron or Bruce. Both are extremely knowledgeable cool guys.

You can e-mail Roger Vitko at tunze@sbcglobal.net.

I refer as many people as I can to Roger as you honestly can't go wrong with the products he represents or his advice. People like him are very rare in retail.

I think the Megachrome's will be what you're looking for. I know they're definitely not too blue or white on their own. I'll post pics. Hopefully I'll get it installed tonight.

Darin