Lighting?

[boxcar182]

I just got my aqua medic 150watt pendant in but i am unhappy with the 10k bulb. The pendant will be over a 20high and i plan to keep mostly lps, zoas, softies and maybe a clam or sps. I am looking to get a new bulb but am unsure what kind. What is a good brand and also what is a good spectrum that will make the coral colors stand out and also have good growth? Also will a chiller be necssary to keep temps down because i really cant aford a chiller right now.

 

[demonsp]

This is a new setup and many of the stock you listed would like a mature tank.If done right this means atleast 1 yr. Plus the bulbs should be changed out and with my T-5's its no longer then one yr.Im not sure about MH. I think you can upgrade to a 12k of same watts at that time.Just remeber whenever you replace a bulb its best to reduce main light time and then bring up slow to minimize algea blooms.
I would check if you can use a 12k bulb before you cant return it anymore.

 

[Twz]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12429765#post12429765 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by demonsp
This is a new setup and many of the stock you listed would like a mature tank.If done right this means atleast 1 yr. Plus the bulbs should be changed out and with my T-5's its no longer then one yr.Im not sure about MH. I think you can upgrade to a 12k of same watts at that time.Just remeber whenever you replace a bulb its best to reduce main light time and then bring up slow to minimize algea blooms.
I would check if you can use a 12k bulb before you cant return it anymore.

Just wondering why would you want a 12K rather then a 10?
i thought that the closer to 6500K the better for corals and that but looks quite yellow

 

[seapug]

What do you not like about the bulb? If it's too yellow then go with a higher Kelvin like a 12K or 14K as demonsp suggested. It will be more blue. It also depends on the brand of bulb you get. 14K bulbs by one manufacturer may be more blue than 20K by another. If you aren't using any Actinic supplementation, 14K Phoenix bulbs are nice.

If you switch it out now you won't need to worry about light shock. That's really only an issue when you are changing out really old bulbs or upgrading to a much higher wattage.

 

[demonsp]

I assummed ( got me in trouble) this is what he ment. He does have other choices.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?acatid=287&aid=228

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12430057#post12430057 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Twz
Just wondering why would you want a 12K rather then a 10?
i thought that the closer to 6500K the better for corals and that but looks quite yellow

 

[Twz]

Oh =D

 

[Toddrtrex]

Is the bulb really going to be 20 inches above the tank?