New lights setup

[Kewlworm]

Ok, I am going to buy actinic for my tank soon. I am deciding if I should go for the 60" 80w actinic T5-HO or the 48" 54 actinic T5-HO. The question is do I really need the 80w actinic or the 54w actinic is enough. I want some dusk and dawn, and looks good w/ the XM10K. I think the corals will get enough lights (par) from the XM10K, so the actinic is there mainly for looks.

If I get the 48" 54w actinic T5-HO, my setup will be like the following print:

If I get the 60" 80w actinic T5-HO, can I get away with only 1 bulb?

Thanks!

 

[mkarston]

I just posted the same exact question on the other page about 5 mins ago:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=908334

Please keep us update with what you decide.

Thanks,
Craig

 

[Rogger Castells]

It is mainly for the looks, but lets face it isn't that what this whole thing is all about!, you want to look at your corals flourecense and see their hidden colors, I spend hours contemplating my tanks my wife says that I am going to become a fish, (hopefully not cubano's fish ).
as far as the set-up question 2-48" place like your diagram will work very good, you will be satisfy.

 

[Kewlworm]

Craig, thanks for the link. I will keep an eye on that too.

my wife says that I am going to become a fish, (hopefully not cubano's fish ).

LOL! Thanks Rogger, that just made my night! Haha.


I checked reefgeek and they have the 2x54w retro for $165 and 2x80w retro for $251 shipped. They are sunlight and come w/ bulbs. For a about hundred more for the 2x80w, will there be a BIG different. I am on budget, but don't want to have to upgrade again if I can see a "dark" spot later.

Thanks!

 

[mkarston]

Rogger,

Maybe you're right and I'm thinking too much into it.

I guess for me, I already have 3 250W MH bulbs, and the IceCap 660. I just want some opinions as to what would be the best actinic bulb setup I can run to supplement the MHs add blue to my tank (the 3 MHs are XM 10K)

Thanks,
Craig

 

[thesaent14]

i just add it to my tank 3X400w MH 20k oshios with lumenarks max reflactors and i will add 2 vhos 72" i tink is to much but i love the atinics when they are on by itself

 

[Kewlworm]

Craig, I also posted in the lighting forum:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=908533

I am kinda confuse on what I am going to do now. I really want the XM10K for their PAR, but also want my tank to be pleasing to the eyes....let me know what you are going to do too.

Thanks!

 

[thesaent14]

lol this will help you to know what you want this is only before and after

before only MH 2X250 1X400

this one is the same but add 2Xvhos

now 3X400 mh and the vho will be here this weeckend

 

[Kewlworm]

Manny, thanks for the pictures! What temps are the 250 and 400?

I think I need to see how a XM10K lights up before I get it. I will probably go w/ the 2x54w regardless tho.

 

[thesaent14]

i dont use the 250w i have the setup i upgrate to 400w 20k MH AND 2 VHOS atinics

 

[Kewlworm]

Manny, if you have the chance would you rather do 2x80w T5-HO Actinic or just keep the VHO URI super actinic bulbs? and why?

Thanks!

 

[thesaent14]

i have not try the t5 but i shure tell you somting i love my convination of MH+VHOS they look relly good