Iwasaki: what actinic supplements are needed?

[thezookeeper]

Ok...opinion time...if I get 2-250watt Iwasaki bulbs...exactly how much actinic supplement would I need? And I'm told the actinic supplement can't be Normal Output. Anyone? Thank you!

[img]/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img]
Joanne

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That which does not kill us makes us stronger...like lifting those salt buckets.

[REAL BIG FISH]

I use two 110w VHO bulbs with mine and the look is nice! I somtimes wish I had a little more though!

I would definatly say NO would not be enough!!!

Jamey[img]/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img]

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"If at first you don't succeed, well so much for skydiving"

Check out my reef at REAL BIG FISH'S REEF

[PerryinCA]

I ran mine with 3 110w VHO. 2 actinic, and 1 aquasun. Looks great...with the actinic on, there isn't a huge difference between the 10k HQI and the Iwasaki. Noticable, yea, but not "OH MY GOD THAT IWASAKI IS NASTY PEE LOOKING" different. [img]/ubb/smile.gif[/img] I think 2 actinic lamps should be good. Just rememer they really whiten up after burn in...

Should also note I use Icecap ballasts.

-Perry

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Some call it evolution,
And others call it God.
Each In His Own Tongue (1908)
William Herbert Carruth 1859-1924

[Ltspd]

http://www.carolinareef.com/timtuckers650.htm
This guy uses 400w Iwasaki and (3) 60" VHO's and it is a great looking light system. The tank looks SUPER too! I live clsoe to this guy and his system is impressive.

Here is another good link to a tank similar to yours (I think his is a 75) that uses Eye bulbs and pc o3's http://www.carlosreef.com/bulb_comparison.htm

I will be using (2)250w Iwasaki's and (1)175w 10KK, I will be using (4)96w pc's all of them 03's. I have some old 6.7k and 10kk pc's that I can use if there is too much blue with all 4 03's.


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Paul C
Things should be made as simple as possible, but not any simpler.
Einstein

[scubadude]

ummm....so I was a little off hehehe [img]/ubb/tongue.gif[/img] You got all the big dawgs in here giving you the advice on this one Joanne After I thought about our conversation last night I was thinking that the 2 - 55watt PC that I suggested might not be enough.....See I havent done these Iwasaki bulbs yet....but I heard they where real yellow....I think all these guyz advice prolly hit it on the money....2 vho 110 seems like a nice setup, and like perry stated the Icecaps will be alot more dependable in the long haul. Joanne Im so envious you have a smaller tank than me and yet your lighting blows me out of the water!!....I dont know if you are making this canopy yourself, but you are gonna have some heat, and evaporation issue to deal with....No big deal though....a couple of radio shack fans should do the trick [img]/ubb/smile.gif[/img]

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Check out my NEW website

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Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.

[piege]

I just got back into the lighting market recently and went to look at a tank with 250w iwasakis 65K and no supp. Looked fine to me.

I just placed an order for some and I have some 96w pc bulbs I can always add to the hood later for supp if I like.

The color all depends on you. You may be fine with it. SO set it up but allow room for supp and see how things go. No need to waste money buying supplemental lighting if you come to find out you don't think the color is that bad at all.

HTH,
JP

[thezookeeper]

Have I mentioned that this board and all the people are fantastic? [img]/ubb/eyemouth.gif[/img] Thank you all...Rocky knows I'm ready to jump off a bridge over this lighting. I just don't want to get something I don't like...something too yellow...not get enough actinic supplements...yadda yadda yadda....you get the drift. I am making my own canopy. I'm designing it to house a fan with the top of the hood pulling the hot air out and a fan on the side. Likewise, I'm trying to find a way...without losing too much light...to have the back of the canopy a little bit open. Any suggestions? So...I've read a lot on these Iwasaki bulbs and they seem really great for the corals...but I hate that yellow I see on some tanks with them...And the 10000k bulbs are supposed to have a lower intensity after about 5 months, I hear. I was going with them...but those Iwasaki's seem to last longer. I read that GIGANTIC thread on this on reefland and followed all the links. What do you guys think about getting one of those cheapy Mercury Vapor ballasts and running the Iwasaki's? Some people said Graybar and Advance sell or distribute them. I need all the advice I can get! I don't want to skimp on the lighting. But I want to be certain. Anyway...thank you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[img]/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img]
Joanne

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That which does not kill us makes us stronger...like lifting those salt buckets.

[thezookeeper]

Ltspd: I REALLY like both those setups you linked me too. The 75 with the 2-250 Iwasaki's and the 2-96 watt PC's looks awesome!!! Ok...I'm off to price THIS configuration...

Any comments about those MV ballasts folks?

Thanks again.

[img]/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img]
Joanne

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That which does not kill us makes us stronger...like lifting those salt buckets.

[dsb1829]

Originally posted by PerryinCA:
Noticable, yea, but not "OH MY GOD THAT IWASAKI IS NASTY PEE LOOKING"
-Perry

ROTF!! That cracked me up. I just had a big discussion with my wife last night about the iwasaki bulbs color, price, and intensity. She definitely doesn't want the pee tank in our living room. I will have to share that comment with her a bit later.

I have 2 36" VHO actinics, but will be expanding it to either 3 or four when my 400W 6,500Ks arrive. Not an exact science, just playing it by ear at this point.



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Doug

"Wait a minute. There's no Shamus McCloud in North Kilt Town" Homer

Visit Our Tanks

Homepage

[thezookeeper]

ARGH!!!!!!! Ok...I like that other system with the VHO's better!!!! But some systems with VHO's look much more YELLOW than that system on the first link. HELP! Since you know this guy...what do you think Ltspd?

[img]/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img]
Joanne

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That which does not kill us makes us stronger...like lifting those salt buckets.

[thezookeeper]

^
More comments/suggestions welcomed!!

[img]/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img]
Joanne

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That which does not kill us makes us stronger...like lifting those salt buckets.

[thezookeeper]

^

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That which does not kill us makes us stronger...like lifting those salt buckets.

[SEABUZZ]

ithis is the 250 iwasaki an the advance #71A3802 BALLAST ($23) with no supp. also look at color of the light on the white wall behind the tank.

If you see any yellow, its algea!!

[Ltspd]

I hope you got mail from me. Your return address wont work for some reason.


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Paul C
Things should be made as simple as possible, but not any simpler.
Einstein

[SEABUZZ]

Ltspd,
me or zookeeper?

[thezookeeper]

I got the email. Thank you!!!

Seabuzz: I don't see a link. Could you please repost it?

[img]/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img]
Joanne

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That which does not kill us makes us stronger...like lifting those salt buckets.

[SEABUZZ]

its there, just a little slow.

[thezookeeper]

Seabuzz: WHERE is the link? Maybe my brain is fried, but I don't see one on the post.

[img]/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img]
Joanne

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That which does not kill us makes us stronger...like lifting those salt buckets.

[scubadude]

I see it now Joanne...its a pic he inserted not a link [img]/ubb/tongue.gif[/img]

Seabuzz that is just 1 - 250 Iwasaki? WOW talk about INTENSE light!

What size tank is that seabuzz? and are you using the DL bulb?

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Check out my NEW website

Scubadude's Website

Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.

[scubadude]

Seabuzz...where the heck did you get that ballast for $23 ??

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Check out my NEW website

Scubadude's Website

Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.