Lighting Ideas!

[ronald.vaughn]

Hoping to pick some of the great minds out there. Before I get started, "NO I don't have any pics of my tank right now". I bought a good number of frags from the swap in April and most of the corals are doing well. I do have most of my sps's that have not colored as expected. I have two 250 Aqua Medic Halides over a 55 approximatly 18in from the surface. I'm using 20k bulbs. I'm not looking for the quick growth, but due want the colors from my corals. Some of the people I've talked to have said that 20k from Aqua line are the worst out there and from what I see they're not what I'd hoped for. I've thought about going to 10k bulbs and then adding some 110 vho blue atinic bulbs, but not sure if that will take care of the problem.

If anyone may have a few ideas that they believe could give me the results in a manner that won't bust the bank I'd like to hear them.

 

[USAquatics]

Are you using SE or DE lamps. I use Reeflux 14K lamps with actinic VHO over my 4' tank and I am very happy with the growth and color. Mine are mounted about 12" above the surface.

 

[DiscoReefRover]

get you some xm 20k lamps great color and good growth and there white with a hint of blue really nice lights i think

 

[ronald.vaughn]

They are a double ended bulb and it's funny you mention xm 20k because as far as I've seen aqua line and xm are the only ones that make 20k de bulbs

 

[DiscoReefRover]

I use one and i love the colors i get out of sps most go to a tri color in usually a few weeks i see a difference and in a few months they usually dont even look like what i bought its kinda fun a surprise in every frag!!

Sean