Lighting Advice

[bagged87blayzer]

I am running 150watt MH 14K and a 2x40 Current PC Fixture. I need new bulbs for the PC Fixture. Ok my question.... I have a choice of three bulb configurations.

6700K/10000K Duel Daylight
Duel Actinic 460/420
Daylight 10000K/Actinic 460

Which two bulbs should I get? I want some growth and color.

Thanks for the input.

 

[Trueno22]

I would go for the pure actinics.

 

[Trueno22]

couldn't edit but my reason for picking pure actinic is cause if you picked a 14k bulb for color the 10000k bulbs will turn your corals brown and ugly.

 

[cham]

10K's don't turn your corals brown. March 2008 TOTM runs 10k's http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-03/totm/index.php

Colors typically are not as deep & rich as if you were running a 20k but they don't make your corals turn brown.

 

[Mrs Smith]

Different K values highlight different colors... I used to run 6500s which are VERY yellow, but with actinic supplements really made the yellows and reds pop. As you shift towards the higher K values, the greens and purples are more obvious. None should inherently make your corals brown.

Tricky runs 10Ks, and has a gorgeous tank with lots of color.

A better question might be "do you even need the PCs?" Usually when running a lighting option in addition to halides it is for the actinic properties. You shouldn't need MORE light -just maybe a different spectrum. As above, when I ran the 6500s, I needed actinics to offset the yellowness of the MH. Many people don't bother with actinics once you get to higher Ks. But it's personal preference. (I bought a tank runnning not only 20K radiums, but ALSO 2 6' actinic bulbs. Twas a wee bit too purple for my tastes.)

 

[bagged87blayzer]

Ok then what MH bulb would be better if I got rid the PCs. I have a Current USA Sunpod HQI 150watt.

 

[skippy823]

just run either 10k mh and antinics or run like a 14k mh and b done

 

[Megabite]

I was running a couple of 150W 14K's and recently changed them to Radium 20K HQI. Very bright with great color and don't need actinics. I was worried that the light would be too blue but that isn't the case. It's a very white light and everything under them is doing great. You can check it out if you want to come by the house. Just PM me. Later.

 

[InLimbo87]

Its not really going to matter much as the PC bulbs aren't going to do much for you in comparison to the MH.

I'd say go for w/e your color preferernce is. More blue tint, straight actinic. Keep it more white with the daylight bulbs.

 

[InLimbo87]

You guys know he's talking about replacing the PC's and not the MH bulb right?

 

[Megabite]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14698535#post14698535 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by InLimbo87
You guys know he's talking about replacing the PC's and not the MH bulb right?

He was at first but the he asked:

Ok then what MH bulb would be better if I got rid the PCs. I have a Current USA Sunpod HQI 150watt.

Hence my offer.

 

[InLimbo87]

Reading > ME

 

[Megabite]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14703926#post14703926 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by InLimbo87
Reading > ME

LOL! Well, you're an accountant! Numbers is your game!

 

[InLimbo87]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14703976#post14703976 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Megabite
LOL! Well, you're an accountant! Numbers is your game!

Came up with a better excuse than I would've thought of. Well done :bum:

 

[luv4paws2]

I have two 14k 150's in my sunpod and 4-65w dual actinics. I can definately tell if the halides are on and cf are off. The dual actinics really make the colors stand out, something about the blue and purple together. Even when I tried 20k halides, I could still see the difference with the cf's.