Lighting ?'s

[coral_king31]

I am setting up a new 90 gal. reef tank, consisting mostly of SPS, and some LPS, and gotta have a few clams. Anyway, I just purchased a CustomSeaLife Hood with (2) 250 watt 5,000k MH and (2) 65 watt Actinic PC's. I don't want the 5,000k's that came with it. Please help me decide what type of bulbs to get for best color coral growth. How far above the tank should the hood be Mounted? Thanks for all suggestions!!

[scubadude]

Well you have a couple different options here....you definately are making the right move by ditching the 5000k bulbs....I would personally go with 12k bulbs...maybe even radiums (20k) unless you are using the PC's for total actinic, which you may want to go with Iwasakis...but iwasakis have to use a certain type of ballast to be real effecient. If it was me though...I would definately go with either 12k or 20k bulbs...the aqualine 20k's have great ratings! If you want KILLER growth rates on your corals go with the iwasakis....if you want awesome coloring and so-so growth rates on your corals go with the Higher (12-20k) kelvin rating bulbs.

[mrok12]

I use 2-20K 400 watt radiums on the ends and 2 250 watt Iwasakis in the center. My wife is calling me so I will post a pic tommorow!! you know how it is. Anyway this seems to be doing ok. O run the radiums 12 hours and the 65k for 4.5 hours in the middle of the photo period for the high noon effect.


MROK12

[PerryinCA]

With 2 250's over a taller tank like that, I would surely opt for the 10k Ushio, or AB mogul based lamps. You will need the higher PAR levels that the 12+k lamps just don't put out. I would also look into getting a pair of good horizontal reflectors to better distribute the light.

-Perry