for those who still run halides or used to maybe

[BigDaddyStar]

so my current set-up has 2 400 watt radiums
I am going to change the bulbs out for something with a little more growth..maybe 10ks
even considering dropping it down to the 6500k range for even better growth( and of course the color is ugly)

I don't care about color per say..not home anyway when the halides are on really.
and I have switched to LEDS for color pop from t5's so that's covered.

So if anyone recommends a bulb let me know

still 400 watt single ended.
SPS dominant(eventually)

any thoughts or opinions?????????

I don't really want to spend $800 on bulbs to get it right

 

[newtothis]

Try out them twin or dual arc lamps [MENTION=4195]Emac909[/MENTION] he now more bout them. You'll get the best of both world… its funny how you came back with a softy intention then went to sps dominated in mere weeks… your an addict.Haha.

 

[pirate2876]

Im experimenting with different color bulbs on my tank. I have 250 mogul 20k radium and 250 DE ushio 10k next to each other. The 10k does grow sticks faster, but like you said, its kind of an ugly color. I really like the Ushio bulbs. Not sure if they make a mogul for 400w though.

I know a dude on another forum that was using the 400 watt bulbs off E*ay and had great growth. I believe they were 20k though.

Everyone raves about 400w 20k radiums so there is that.

Maybe wait for Black Friday and order a few and see what you like? Hope this helps.

 

[lowbudget]

try aquamax bulbs thats what i switch to for a long time. much less expensive. close to 12k

 

[Tropical Reef Fish Store]

400w radiums will grow sps right out the top of your tank lol.
all you need.

 

[BigDaddyStar]

Yes sir...lol..can't resist...and 3 years go like it was a day...right back in the habit

Try out them twin or dual arc lamps [MENTION=4195]Emac909[/MENTION] he now more bout them You'll get the best of both world… its funny how you came back with a softy intention then went to sps dominated in mere weeks… your an addict.Haha.

 

[BigDaddyStar]

You think...I had always read 65.00 was best growth rates and up from there slower

400w radiums will grow sps right out the top of your tank lol.
all you need.

 

[Tropical Reef Fish Store]

You think...I had always read 65.00 was best growth rates and up from there slower

ya the lower the k the more it will grow.
just remember this saying white for grow blue for show.
that being said 400w radiums will grow super fast its just a real good bulb.

 

[gumbii]

out of all that i've tried, radium is a good mix of both... they look great and give good growth... but if you want super growth, yeah go with a 6,500K...

 

[Spinner]

I will be using ReefBrite twin arc 10k/20k with my 400s, good pricing while being designed and built by some world famous spectrum builder for ReefBrite?

 

[BigDaddyStar]

yeah I thought those were pretty cool..n I saw them on emac s tank.

radiums are definitely always been my bulb of choice..but the actinicpart is being handled now by LEDs so not a big need for the blue.

well probably just go with the winner from this thread..see whos using what the most. or stick with radiums

I will be using ReefBrite twin arc 10k/20k with my 400s, good pricing while being designed and built by some world famous spectrum builder for ReefBrite?

 

[xmas_one]

Some of the 10000K bulbs skip the 450nm peak and hit 420ish nm instead. That 420 peak is what matches up with the zooxanthellae chlorophyll absorption peak, which is where you get the "10000k for growth" talk. Check out Sanjay's MH bulb/ballast thing over at manhattanreefs.

http://www.manhattanreefs.com/lighting

http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/313663-lighting-spectra-photosynthesis-and-you-new-plots/

 

[BigDaddyStar]

Wow good site..except now I am even more confused..lol
Never knew how many bulbs there were out there

Some of the 10000K bulbs skip the 450nm peak and hit 420ish nm instead. That 420 peak is what matches up with the zooxanthellae chlorophyll absorption peak, which is where you get the "10000k for growth" talk. Check out Sanjay's MH bulb/ballast thing over at manhattanreefs.

http://www.manhattanreefs.com/lighting

 

[sonnus]

I used to run 10k Ushios on HQI ballasts and the growth was insane. A couple of other things I noticed: (1) fish actually looked better under this light, (2) pink corals had insane color, (3) green SPS turned super yellow, (4) coraline algae did NOT seem to like the extra PAR.

 

[AddictedtoSalt]

So how does one go about choosing which ballast, fixture, bulb and wattage combo to use? Ive noticed there are so many ballasts and wattages that its to confusing.

 

[BigDaddyStar]

That's the fun part...de se magnetic electronic hqi and which brand mixing well with what....

How many reefers does it take to screw in a light bulb..apparently all of them...

So how does one go about choosing which ballast, fixture, bulb and wattage combo to use? Ive noticed there are so many ballasts and wattages that its to confusing.

 

[BigDaddyStar]

so we got stick with radiums
ushio 10ks
10ks might be bad
dual arcs
best growth go with 6500k

 

[KarL]

From all the lights I've tried. PC, t5, mh, leds. My favorite is 400w 20K mh. Corals looked great. And it was so much easier to take pics of the coral. I can't even get one decent pic with these leds on.

 

[BigDaddyStar]

yeah..I am happy with my LED addition but I could see that being a problem...there is no middle ground..radiums are great for pics. just the right amount of blue..the LEDS are just over the top at any setting on the dimming or they are washed out

From all the lights I've tried. PC, t5, mh, leds. My favorite is 400w 20K mh. Corals looked great. And it was so much easier to take pics of the coral. I can't even get one decent pic with these leds on.

 

[xmas_one]

So how does one go about choosing which ballast, fixture, bulb and wattage combo to use? Ive noticed there are so many ballasts and wattages that its to confusing.

The wattage you select has much to do with the size (mostly the depth) of your tank and what corals you intend on keeping. For moderate lighting levels I would suggest 150w bulbs for tanks less than 18" deep, 250w for tanks 18" - 24" deep, and 400w for tanks deeper than 24". Just like t5ho, reflectors do play a big role in how much light gets into the tank, same can be said for ballasts as well. I'm currently running a 250w double ended phoenix (aqua connect is the alternate name for this brand) 14000k bulb in a FNI (not the greatest reflector or ballast) fixture ~ 12" above an 18" deep tank. My PAR levels are about 250 on the bottom of the tank directly below the light and diminish to ~150 about 12" off axis.