Lighting my 30gal

[Reefer769]

Alright, as several of you know, i have a 150w mh with a 20k build over my 30 gal cube. I also have 7 sps corals, and 1 brain. I just want to know, if YOU were in my situation, what kind of light fixture would YOU upgrade to? Im just curious to read some answers from the more advanced guys on the site to help me chose a light fixture. thanks

[Reefland]

I wouldn't upgrade the fixture, the 150w DE metal halide you have is plenty for your tank. What I would change is the bulb, replacing the 20k with a 10k and if needed, providing a bit of blue through the use of actinics. The 10k's provide much more PAR than the 20k's.

[Reefer769]

what i am trying to achieve is better sps coral growth and color. So wouldnt a 250w light fixture be a better choice? And i thought that the 20k bulbs were better than the 10k...

[Poseidon]

Your light fixture is fine, but the bulb could be replaced w/10K. You will see it as being MUCH MUCH brighter. But it will also look more yellow then the 20k you have now. Thats why Scott suggested the actinic to bring more blue in... So 10K+Actinic=same color you have now, but BRIGHTER!

[Reefland]

Sure the 250w with a 20k bulb would provide much more intensity than the 150 with a 20k bulb. The thing is you can get a lot more punch out of your 150w with a 10k bulb that will produce much more PAR.

[Reefer769]

so a 150w 10k bulb should be fine for the few sps corals i have?

im just wondering why i ever bought the 20k bulb, when i had a 10k to begin with... oh well

I cant really buy just any actinic because i have a limited amount of space in the hood as it is with the mh in there, and also the fact that the hood isnt too big at all, its only 22.5 x 19.5 x 11.5.

are there any actinics anyone can suggest? and i have just one last question, how many watts should the actinics be?

[Reefer769]

any suggestions?

[Reefland]

You might like the look of the 10k without the actinic, I do and run our tank without any supplemental lighting. If you put in the 10k and don't like it alone, you'll have to find something that will work in your hood since you have the access to it. There are a lot of DIY kits available, check out some of our sponsors like Innovative Lighting or Reef Tank Lighting to see what they offer.

[Reefer769]

i dont know the first thing about lighting, so if someone can just recommend a brand? or a specific actinic that would look nice with a 150w 10k bulb in a small tank such as my 30 gal? i would really appreciate it.

[Reefland]

Here's a good choice that will fit into your hood. Of course you would need actinic bulbs though.
http://www.hamiltontechnology.com/sh...9334dee144ef36

[Reefer769]

your link only worked the 1st time i clicked on it, and now it doesnt. And i was thinking about getting more of a single bulb retrofit kit on each side of my hood thats already in there, so my hood would then have the mh fixture in the middle and 1 actinic retrofit kit on each side. any suggestions on what kind of brand is good, and that will also fit into my hood?

[Reefer769]

come on...i know someone can help me out...

[Reefland]

Go to Hamilton Technology via the sponsors page and look at the 18w PC's. ;)

[innovativelights]

your link only worked the 1st time i clicked on it, and now it doesnt. And i was thinking about getting more of a single bulb retrofit kit on each side of my hood thats already in there, so my hood would then have the mh fixture in the middle and 1 actinic retrofit kit on each side. any suggestions on what kind of brand is good, and that will also fit into my hood?

Hi Reefer769, feel free to give us a call and we can help answer any questions you may have. We have in stock a number of different 150W DE HQI lamps, we also have a 13k which has been very popular not quite as blue as the 20k.

Here is a link to our site www.innovativelights.com and feel free to call us toll free 877-26-LIGHT or email us at customerservice@innovativelights.com

Thanks -- Princeton