Lighting help....

[VB68]

I feel like I'm not getting the most out of the lights I have. I am looking to get some new bulbs and am so confused with all the different types. I am currently running 2- 175w MH (10000k) and 4 80w (420 actinic- come on in pairs)-11" off of water surface. These just don't bring out the colors of our corals and fish. Does anyone have any suggestion on a good combination of bulbs that work great for you for coral growth and color??

 

[revsgirl]

:bump2:

 

[KSzegi]

I no longer run MH ... but if you are unhappy with the color I would suggest going to a higher K bulb ..... maybe something like the ushio 20k.

 

[Mufasa31]

The 10K is generally more for growth than appearance.

I had success with Phoenix 14K with actinic supplementation.

If you really prefer the blue color, check out 20K bulbs.

 

[ritter6788]

I'm not familiar with the color but if I had 175w halides I'd run the Iwaski bulb. It's supposed to have the highest par and out perform many 250w bulbs.

 

[Troylee]

I feel like I'm not getting the most out of the lights I have. I am looking to get some new bulbs and am so confused with all the different types. I am currently running 2- 175w MH (10000k) and 4 80w (420 actinic- come on in pairs)-11" off of water surface. These just don't bring out the colors of our corals and fish. Does anyone have any suggestion on a good combination of bulbs that work great for you for coral growth and color??

If you don't mind slower growth and want sick colors get some xm20k bulbs... There my favorite with radium in a close second... I'm not sure if radium has a 175w or not but if they do there best for growth and color...

 

[VB68]

Okay,,,, what about the T5's also, could a person run an LED strip with this setup and slowly add until had enough to go all LED? How many would it take for a 100g 20' deep and lights 11" off of water. Thanks for the input

 

[VB68]

:bump2:

Thanks for the bump

 

[Saltwatertaylor]

I also have MH 10k. I am not pleased with the colors I am getting at all. Everything looks bleached and brown to me. If you run the coral under this lighting, the colors will come right out when you get a 20k bulb. What would everyone recommend a 20k or 30k? Some other type of combination?

 

[Pappy]

I also have MH 10k. I am not pleased with the colors I am getting at all. Everything looks bleached and brown to me. If you run the coral under this lighting, the colors will come right out when you get a 20k bulb. What would everyone recommend a 20k or 30k? Some other type of combination?

20k never heard of 30k. But make sure you get. Quality bulb as the blue will burn out and become whiter within a month or 2. As stated above xm and radium is good. I had reflux and burned out quick. Def recommend led for supplement but make sure their Crees not just stunner strips as my experience stunners suck and waste of $$$.