Pics of 400w Ushio 14k tanks without supplement lights

[DogueDeBordeaux]

I am using 3 400w radiums/galaxy ballast in LB large pendants on a 72x36x27 tank. I am thinking about next bulb change switching out to the 400w ushio 14k, or add supplement lights to brighten tank. My colors are good, just tank seems dim/blue for my tastes.
How are your corals colors showing under just the 400w 14k bulbs?

 

[hedgedrew]

Hello there. I have a 1400 total gallon sps system with main tank just about1000 gallons. I am running reflectors with 2 bulbs each cut in off centered with a built in fan on top. I am currently mixing 400 w radium with 250 ushio 14k along wi th tons of t5 and vho actinic and454 bulbs. The result is the best color i have seem cause theushios dont over power the blue in250 w. just a hint of sunlight look. Ingo of my tank can be seen on large reef tank forum under 1250 gallon sps system or just search my name. I justvswitched to this combo about 2 weeks ago. I was running combos of ushio 20k and radium to get more violets ans 410 nm light and also reefkux12k and radium all in 400w. Dropping dn to 250s on the ushio 14k mixed with the tons of blue from radiums and t5and vho was perfect and i think coral very happy. Im running the radiums for 8 hrs but ushios for only 4.5 hrs.

 

[hedgedrew]

Btw. I also kepp few frag tanks and refugiums with cheto etc. one of them is a breeder 40 gallon with just ushio 14k with no supplements. Really cause the cheto is in there but i keep several fish and coral also. Color is a bit blah. And stuff doesnt pop on coral. I think running these without blue will be a mistake

 

[tnyr5]

I've been using them for over a year now. They color acros up beautifully but your water and sand must be clean as a whistle for them to look crisp white to your eye. If you are switching from radiums, you may want to supplement. I use 4x 24w t5 against a 400w 14k; 2 are ati blue plus and 2 are uvl super actinic. This gives it just a nice crispness without being blue. I've included a pic of my tank with and without the actinics on. Also check Sanjay's & Copps' tanks of the month.

 

[DogueDeBordeaux]

thanks for the nice pic.
I think I will be happy with the 14k ushio alone.
I plan to run the left side 20K radium/ middle 14k ushio/ right side 20K radium
Then I will decide if I want to go all ushio's, or stick with the radiums.

 

[jda]

No pictures, but I personally like them. They make the coral color and florescence very well without having a blue and dim tank. They are my SE MH equivalent of the 14K phoenix, but still different.

They remind me a lot of 400W 10K with a few VHO Super Actinics, which looks awesome.

 

[hedgedrew]

Drill the reflectors and combine the 2 bulbs. Radiums and these. Youll love it

 

[hedgedrew]

Drill the reflector and combine the bulbs. Radium and ushio.