Author Topic: Fresh Start (Read 5717 times)

Secondgen · « **on:** July 07, 2006, 16:36:58 »

Hi all, I need some advice on lighting. I want to eventually build a 75 gallon reef tank, and this time around do not want to scimp on the lighting. The last system I had which I just sold a few months ago was a 90 gallon AGA with 260 watts of PC lighting. This time around I would like to be able to raise, and keep pretty much anything critterwise. I'm thinking 2 175 watts halides will do, but suggestions would be appreciated. Like I said this system is only in the planning stages, and probably will be for a while as I will have to wait on the money. Also if anybody comes across any good deals as far as lighting, 75 gallon tank, pumps, or anything that would further the process please let me know it would be greatly appreciated. Have a great day, and God bless.

REDPYRO · « **Reply #1 on:** July 07, 2006, 16:43:06 »

$143 you can get this daul ballast...175 per bulb

http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=PF1412

i used it on my 55 with no problems for about 6 years. I would definately buy again.

However a 90 being deeper than a 55, if you could spring the extra cost...($180 for the daul ballast +monthly electricy bill) i would spring for the daul 250

http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=PF1612

I would only go 250 if your planning on SPS towards the bottom of your tank. if you kept them mid to high in the tank 175's will do fine

I also recommend XM's 20,000k bulbs...they are the best bulb out there

bigfalcon36 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 07, 2006, 18:58:29 »

I agree with Matt. Get some 250's that way you can move them into a bigger tank once you get that. I also like the XM 20k, but now I have the Hamilton 250 watt 14k and love them.

Don't skimp on the lighting, RO unit, or skimmer...they pretty much make or break your tank.

verper · « **Reply #3 on:** July 07, 2006, 19:49:20 »

Quote from: bigfalcon36 on July 07, 2006, 18:58:29

Don't skimp on the lighting, RO unit, or skimmer...they pretty much make or break your tank.

That's my thinking on reef tanks also.

micki · « **Reply #4 on:** July 07, 2006, 21:27:16 »

Glad to hear you are going to set another one up.

Secondgen · « **Reply #5 on:** July 07, 2006, 23:09:48 »

Thanks for the advice everybody. Yeah I couldn,t take it anymore Micki. I thought freshwater planted tanks would satisfy my addiction, but I was wrong. The only reason I sold my 90 gallon was to get the money to get my very first car back on the road again. Like I said it did not take long for the salt to start flowin through my veins again

. Again if anybody stumbles onto some good deals on equipment new or used it would be greatly appreciated. My sites are set on a 75 gallon.

Secondgen · « **Reply #6 on:** July 08, 2006, 01:46:13 »

Also what bulb temp should I run. Hello lights recommends 6500K for SPS tanks, and for low light corals 20000K. I don't really understand this. I intend to keep SPS, and LPS. What is the most widely used that produces the best results?

micki · « **Reply #7 on:** July 08, 2006, 07:00:29 »

Quote from: Secondgen on July 08, 2006, 01:46:13

Also what bulb temp should I run. Hello lights recommends 6500K for SPS tanks, and for low light corals 20000K. I don't really understand this. I intend to keep SPS, and LPS. What is the most widely used that produces the best results?

Well, it's good to see you back.

65K is the best in terms or coral growth. However, for me, there has to be candy to the eye as well. I have 14K XM and I'm seeing great growth! I started wtih 10K and it was too yellow for me.

It's really all in what you want and like to look at.

REDPYRO · « **Reply #8 on:** July 08, 2006, 09:46:38 »

20k is awesome! my monti caps grew wild under them and keep amazing color lower the temp the more yellow your corals will look

micki · « **Reply #9 on:** July 08, 2006, 10:19:24 »

I personally didn't like the 20K on my tank. However I saw Matt and Travis's tanks and they looked good with the 20K. I don't know if it's because I have a see through tank or what.

verper · « **Reply #10 on:** July 08, 2006, 10:58:58 »

The original thinking was the sun is closer to 5000K so you get better growth with a 6500K. However, Sanjay (did a bunch of lighting articles) has said PAR (PPFD) is what drives growth. Higher wattage lights have higher PAR and penetrate water deeper. Also different ballast/bulb combinations produce different PAR readings and color. One ballast may produce whiter light than another ballast with the same bulb. See here:

http://www.reeflightinginfo.arvixe.com/index.htm

Also, many corals "color" up better under bluer light so you have less brown corals. And with some of the bulb options today, 10K, 13K, 14K, 20K, you can have both- growth and color. Which bulb you choose is personal opinion.

micki · « **Reply #11 on:** July 08, 2006, 11:06:15 »

Great link Scott. Thanks!

REDPYRO · « **Reply #12 on:** July 08, 2006, 12:16:15 »

color wise i would never buy anything below 13 or 14k

micki · « **Reply #13 on:** July 08, 2006, 12:17:11 »

Quote from: REDPYRO on July 08, 2006, 12:16:15

color wise i would never buy anything below 13 or 14k

I would agree with that. 10K was very yellow to me.

Secondgen · « **Reply #14 on:** July 08, 2006, 21:00:26 »

Sounds good, from what I have read both from everybody's replies and from articles elsewhere I'm thinkin 20K are for me. Whats up with the added actinics? I noticed that the XM bulbs said that added actinics were not needed. Is this also personal preference color wise or does this serve a purpose for the inhabitants?

micki · « **Reply #15 on:** July 08, 2006, 23:39:13 »

I think it's more of a personal preference. I have 14K's and use actinics. When I tried the 20K's it was too dark for me without the actinics. I didn't like the dark blue look. The 10's with actinic was still too yellow for me. Plus I like a dawn to dusk effect. I think more natural for the coral and fish.

Secondgen · « **Reply #16 on:** July 09, 2006, 01:01:17 »

How often do you have to replace halide bulbs?

micki · « **Reply #17 on:** July 09, 2006, 08:07:14 »

Quote from: Secondgen on July 09, 2006, 01:01:17

How often do you have to replace halide bulbs?

It varires on how many hours they are on each day. I think most people change them out anywhere from 8 - 12 months.

verper · « **Reply #18 on:** July 09, 2006, 10:20:31 »

Quote from: micki on July 09, 2006, 08:07:14

Quote from: Secondgen on July 09, 2006, 01:01:17
How often do you have to replace halide bulbs?
It varires on how many hours they are on each day. I think most people change them out anywhere from 8 - 12 months.

Also how blue they are. I've read the 20K's around 6-8 months, longer for the 10K's. Something about the light degrading faster to the red spectrum.

REDPYRO · « **Reply #19 on:** July 09, 2006, 11:34:23 »

i replaced my 20k's every 12 months. i could see them start to loose their blue color (in photos) because your eyes dont notice its so gradual, at about 10 months. growth rates never changed

Secondgen · « **Reply #20 on:** July 10, 2006, 15:21:43 »

Thanks for the info all.

micki · « **Reply #21 on:** July 10, 2006, 15:42:31 »

No problem, keep us posted!

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Author Topic: Fresh Start (Read 5717 times)

bigfalcon36