chimera Posted February 8, 2005 Report Share Posted February 8, 2005 back on the subject of lighting. i have 2 x 250W 10ks over my 5 foot tank currently. They will have to remain 250W as thats all my ballast can handle. Pies recommended putting a 3rd 400W bulb in the middle. This will be the plan bearing in mind that due to cost reasons, it will be done a couple of months down the line. also bear in mind i want to replace the current 250W bulbs this week. so.... what kelvin rating does everyone recommend I go for assuming I have 3 x M/H's, outsides being 250W and middle being 400W. i am considering 20k, 10k, 20k OR 10k, 20k, 10k OR 14k, 20k, 14k what does everyone else recommend? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RnB Posted February 8, 2005 Report Share Posted February 8, 2005 i liked pies idea of the 400 in the middle being on for a shorter period in the middle to maybe simulate midday peaks, if that was the case I personally go for 10K 400w and higer 250's just my opinion tho. Peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chimera Posted February 8, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2005 yes i liked this idea too and will probably do this, say from 12pm til 3pm or something. it's also convenient for me if you take into account that 400W does not last as long as 250W bulbs, shorter photoperiod with the 400W should mean replacement times for all bulbs will be about the same Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wasp Posted February 8, 2005 Report Share Posted February 8, 2005 I've currently got a 20k and a 10k right next to each other, angled so the light mingles by the time it hits anything, perhaps something similar to what you are thinking of, but actually I think 2 x 14 k's would have been better, that's what I'm doing at next bulb change time. IMO you should go with a high quality 14k bulb in all of them. However, it would also depend on aquascaping and just what effects you are trying to achieve. Also some organisms will look better under different k ratings to others, so some experimentation may be needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chimera Posted February 8, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2005 the guy who im getting bulbs through said there was no worries if i wanted to test different combinations. issue being that the 400W isnt in there yet,... donations to the chimera reef tank fund still valid! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cracker Posted February 8, 2005 Report Share Posted February 8, 2005 Im running 1 x 20K, (Very blue) Looks awesome. Its all in your own taste. Personally I would run something like a 20K in the middle and a couple of 12ks onthe oustside. 10K are too yellow. 12k and over looks like a real reef! The rocks look extremly clean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chimera Posted February 8, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2005 my thoughts too re: yellow. im planning on 14k, 20k, 14k although supplier is waiting for a shipment of bulbs to come over from aussie never mind would rather wait... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeBlog Posted February 8, 2005 Report Share Posted February 8, 2005 What brand are the bulbs that you are thinking of using? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chimera Posted February 8, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2005 radium Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drifty Posted February 9, 2005 Report Share Posted February 9, 2005 are these single end or double end and what sort of cost are they Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chimera Posted February 9, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2005 SE screw in type, $130ish ea includes gst Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drifty Posted February 9, 2005 Report Share Posted February 9, 2005 are you getting this through radium lighting, just talked to the guy he has a good variety of different MH bulbs, fittings, ballasts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chimera Posted February 9, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2005 yes, mark in glenfield. nice bloke. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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