MH Lighting Preference

[docjason2]

OK So my bulbs are coming to the end of their lifespan and was trying to decide if I wanted to continue with my current setup or try a new lightbulb.

Right now I have 3 250W Ushio 10K SE on Icecap ballasts
Additionally I have 2 160W actinics on an Icecap ballast
Tank is a 125 FOWLR right now with a few mushrooms. I will be moving in the near future so after I get to where I am I will start to grow it out to a full reef....but for now this will suffice.

Anyways I was just wodnering if you guys with MH setups preferred one bulb to another or one spectrum to another. I was looking at the lighting FAQ here on the forums and still can't decide if I want to change or not.

 

[leeweber85]

That's a lot of electricity to grow mushrooms!! To be honest, if all you have are mushrooms, I wouldn't bother changing the bulbs. If you get an algae problem, or if the mushrooms stop opening up then you might want to consider it.

 

[Torpus]

i agree, that is a whole hell of a lot of light for a fowlr, i'd wait to break out the new bulbs until you have a full reef going, ive had good luck with xm's 10ks and 20ks

 

[lllosingit]

I ran AB Aqualine 10K (3x175 watt with 2x95 VHO 03 actinics) and it was bright white with just little blue.
Right now I'm running FOWLR, When I do go back to Reef I will also go back to the same 10K with 03 actinics. I just liked the bright natural look, anything less is to yellow and 20K is way to blue for me.
I think people have a certain look they like so that is what they tend to recomend.
I would stick with name brand bulbs, If you were happy with what you had stick with them.
Sounds like you have a good setup that with new bulbs would plenty strong enough for anything you decide to stock.

 

[leeweber85]

Actually, If you just ran the VHOS, say 1-actinic and 1 -50/50 or 10k... you would probably get much better mushroom and Coraline growth. Metal Halides are ususally too bright for mushrooms, and many claim coraline grows better under dimmer lighting ( PCs/VHO)

 

[docjason2]

I'll try cutting back the MH for now and see if I can get them to open up more. I have 50/50 and actinics on there right now along with MH. I got the whole setup because I knew one day I would want all types of corals....figured it would be easier to get it all out of the way right off the bat.

Soon once we move I'll worry about corals, but for now a break in the electricity bill might be nice!

 

[musty baby]

I got lots of coralline growth with 3 NO lights (total of maybe 120 watts) compared to none with my current hood (2x400 mh) on my 75. Also saw no growth with mushrooms under the MH, for what it's worth. Save yourself a little on that electricity bill!