Mh lighting
- Thread starter puleski
- Start date
Lowefx
New member
I agree with Puleski, my coral colors are not vibrant, and i believe its missing (not enough) Atinic (420nm) from the PC. I have 2x150w 16k MH and 2x96w PC (current usa only-sucks) dual colors (purple&blue). I have been thinking of retro fitting 2 T5 atinics in place of the PC, but i don't know if its worth the money. Im subscribed, and would like some more info.
Are your 250s mogul? What bulbs are you using?
You should be able to find a MH bulb that has all/most of the color that you are looking for. My favorite 250W mogul bulb is XM 20k - good look and good growth. Radium 20K is nice too. If double ended, then phoenix 14k.
With any of those bulbs, the PCs probably will not add to much to the color spectrum. If you have a nice MH bulbs, then no supplementation is usually necessary. I bought some reefbrite 48" strips and you seriously can barely tell that they are on with my phoenix 14K, so I sold them.
If you really want some bad-*** actinic supplementation, then URI Super Actinic VHO cannot be beat IMO. Sometimes the old school is better.
You should be able to find a MH bulb that has all/most of the color that you are looking for. My favorite 250W mogul bulb is XM 20k - good look and good growth. Radium 20K is nice too. If double ended, then phoenix 14k.
With any of those bulbs, the PCs probably will not add to much to the color spectrum. If you have a nice MH bulbs, then no supplementation is usually necessary. I bought some reefbrite 48" strips and you seriously can barely tell that they are on with my phoenix 14K, so I sold them.
If you really want some bad-*** actinic supplementation, then URI Super Actinic VHO cannot be beat IMO. Sometimes the old school is better.
Lowefx
New member
Ok, i'd rater retro that into my fixture, if you have extra parts
Ill buy the ballast!Here is the link to my thread (Not trying to Hyjack-same issues)http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2270563
I guess im trying to get more "GLOW" or violet/atinic maybe more for outside of the hours my MH are on.
If you are rocking 150W HQI, then you should be able to find a bulb that give you all the actinic spectrum that you need. Supplementing with VHO is cool, but check out some other bulbs first. The 14K DE phoenix bulbs are amazing if you have HQI ballasts... if they are electronic, then I have no idea what to suggest.
epicurus84
New member
Excactly tank husbandary is the biggest player. Low nutrients (but > 0), and good lighting. It doesn't need to be the best lighting. Because then we all need at least 1k MH. We can't match the sun's power (yet).
For vibrant colours you'll need full spectrum leds with UV.
I will send you a link in the other thread to keep this one from going too far off track.
I recommend the radium 20k. I use to run actinics w another metal halide bulb. Switched to a radium and got all the blue I need. Honestly I couldnt tell the difference with the pc's on. I was running a 250w mh with 2 65w actinic pc's. now just the radium 20k. But supplements are the key. I went through the light tweaking stage with no results. Feed the tank and watch the po4 and no3
Similar threads
