Time for new Bulbs again

[MaryBebo]

I ordered my new bulbs and waiting for them to come in.

This time I ordered a 20K 400W MH XM.
I haven't used this brand before.
The last one I got was 14K 400W Hamilton, And the first one was a 20K 400W Hamilton.

What are your thoughts on these bulbs? Do you prefer one over the other?

It was time to replace the ones in the Nano too. I ordered the one standard 036w PC- Nanocustoms 10000K/Actinic Blue Combo and 2- 036w PC- JBJ 10000K Combo. This tank only holds 2 of the bulbs and I just wanted to see the difference in the other one from Nanocustoms Actinic Blue. Can't wait to see what difference it makes.

Tanks are still doing good except for some algae. I also ordered Stop Hair Algae 6 oz . Any one here ever used this?

 

[flyin fish]

I like the XM bulbs,I've been useing the 15K for about two years now and have had no problems.

 

[Tomoko Schum]

I used to use 20K XM (XDE) bulbs. I love the color although it's rather blue initially. I am using Phoenix bulbs now, but I still like XM, too.

Tomoko

 

[Mariner]

I'm going from a 400w Hamilton 14k on the 40g down to a 250w (I purchased 6speed's 250w MH setup). Anyway, I had planned on going with an XM until I saw the deals that Fishsupply.com is offering on the Hamiltons, so I went with one of those again. But if it cracks and then blows in less than 9 months like the last one, I'll definitely be changing to another brand next time.
FWIW,
Mariner

 

[MaryBebo]

Thanks all for the replies. When you start off with the NEW bulbs do you use the screen to shade the tank for a few days for break in?

Mariner, Good deal on that light fixture BTW.

 

[zaozao]

Did you get and use the STOP hair algea?

 

[Tomoko Schum]

Mary -

I used a few sheets of screen for acclimating my corals to new bulbs. Worked really well.

Good luck,

Tomoko

 

[MaryBebo]

zaozao,

I did get it in yesterday and I haven't used it yet. I should get to use it today. I will let you know how it goes. I am nervous about tying it since I haven't read about anyone else using it.

Tomoko Schum,

I have put the new bulbs in. I am really pleased with the MH. The neon colors pop with this 20k. I put a egg crate with one thin screen over the top. How many days should I do this? A week?

The lights for the nano came in too. The Nanocustoms Actinic Blue has one bulb that is white and the other purple a color. And the reg ones has one blue and white. So I am trying one reg and one Actinic Blue. It looks different from before. I like it either way. Just want to see how the corals grow now.

Yesterday I tested my water.
PH was 8.2, Nitrates 0, Phosphates 0, KH 110mg, Calcium 400ppm, saltlinity 1.025

 

[MaryBebo]

Well, I used the Stop Hair Algae today. As the directions said to turn off pumps while you target the spots that have the hair algae. Now, I guess I just wait and see.

 

[8BALL_99]

Well how did it go?

Will

 

[MaryBebo]

Well, after I targeted the areas I left the pumps off for about 30 min. It has now been 4 days and I can see it is dying out some but not all the way. So I think I am going to try it again. I see some difference though. It hasn't hurt any thing else as I can see.