Zoanthids/21k Halides and actinics, help please.

[Reefer U.K.]

Hello,
i am hoping to set up a 19"W x 19"H x 25"L cube (with a 6" in tank sump) which will house mainly zoanthids.

However i am unsure about the best lighting option.
I have decided that the 21K Giesemann megachrome blue DE would be a good start.
My questions are, (a) would i still need to supplement with actinic lighting to get the best effect, or would this not be necessary?, (b), should i go for a 150W or a 250W, given the dimensions of the tank (heat issues etc) and the fact that the tank will hold mainly zoanthids.

Any help or advice would be appreciated,

kind regards,

Peter (from the U.K.)

 

[wav3form]

Sounds like your lighting will be very heavy on the blue side. Maybe go with a 14k bulb and actinics.

 

[Zero-2-Sixty]

no you wouldnt need actinic for a 21k halide, but i agree with wav3form on the 14k. but i dont think you would need actinic if you went with a 250watt 14k on a tank that size, what would that be like 50 gallons?

 

[Reefer U.K.]

Thanks for the replies lads, that gives me something to think about.
zero-to-sixty, the tank works out at around 30 gallon (ish),

cheers,

Peter.

 

[Reefer U.K.]

Anyone got any more comments, please,

regards,

Peter.

 

[jacjr14]

I run a tank that is 18x18x18 and is right around 25 gallons. I have a 175 watt MH with a hamilton 14k bulb and love it. It is just enough white with not too much blue. At first it will seem very blue but after the burn in period it will come out just right.

 

[psidriven]

Mine is exactly the same size (18 cube) as jacjr14 and am running a 150w DE 14k Phoenix on a mag ballast. I think the 250w would be overkill since the tank is not that deep. I have the pendant about 14 inches above the water and it is still stupid bright.18 inch cube w/ 150 14k

 

[Reefer U.K.]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7834050#post7834050 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jacjr14
I run a tank that is 18x18x18 and is right around 25 gallons. I have a 175 watt MH with a hamilton 14k bulb and love it. It is just enough white with not too much blue. At first it will seem very blue but after the burn in period it will come out just right.

Thanks for the reply, are you supplementing this with actinic?

Peter.

 

[Reefer U.K.]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7835360#post7835360 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by psidriven
Mine is exactly the same size (18 cube) as jacjr14 and am running a 150w DE 14k Phoenix on a mag ballast. I think the 250w would be overkill since the tank is not that deep. I have the pendant about 14 inches above the water and it is still stupid bright.18 inch cube w/ 150 14k

Thanks for the reply mate, the tank does look good under the 14K, do you supplement with any actinic, and if so how much?

cheers,

Peter.

 

[psidriven]

No actinic supplements at all. Just the 14k 150 DE MH.

 

[Reefer U.K.]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7844026#post7844026 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by psidriven
No actinic supplements at all. Just the 14k 150 DE MH.

Thanks again mate,
i like the look of your tank, i am just wondering how well zoanthids would do under a 14K without actinic, would it make any difference not having any supplementary actinic, any ideas?

Peter.

 

[psidriven]

I was told that 14k has enough of the blue wavelength to support all coral growth w/o actinic supplementation. Don't quote me on that though. I would ask the question in the Zoa or Lighting/Filtration forums.

 

[Reefer U.K.]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7848035#post7848035 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by psidriven
I was told that 14k has enough of the blue wavelength to support all coral growth w/o actinic supplementation. Don't quote me on that though. I would ask the question in the Zoa or Lighting/Filtration forums.

thanks for the advice mate,

Peter.

 

[castorpollux]

Actinic is really just for your visual impression, it brings out colors, i run a 14k mh on one tank and a 20k on another tank, both still have actinic supplementation with pc's, its amazing how much the actinic helps the metal halide bring out colors. I would definitely add some whether its it just 2 32watt pc's or even just a 13w

 

[Reefer U.K.]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7850625#post7850625 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by castorpollux
Actinic is really just for your visual impression, it brings out colors, i run a 14k mh on one tank and a 20k on another tank, both still have actinic supplementation with pc's, its amazing how much the actinic helps the metal halide bring out colors. I would definitely add some whether its it just 2 32watt pc's or even just a 13w

Thanks mate,
it is looking like i will go with some actinic supplementation regardless of wether i go with 14K or 20K,

cheers,

Pete.