[ksreefbuilder]

I have really been researching about light for a reef mix tank and want to make everything as healthy and grow as fast as I can from little frags. I read you can never have too much light because you will never get as bright as the sun at noon on a reef. Right now I have 5.7 watts per gallon WPG, with a metal halide & power compact combo light system, but was thinking about switching to a higher output metal halide bulb in 6 months when they will need it. My ballasts are rated at double what I have now, so my question is... Is more or less light better?

[mattpenn]

i have a current with 2x150 mh and 2x130 watt pc it gives me about 7.4/7.5 watts per gallon on a 75 gallon i dont need a chiller but you might need one if you do 2x 250 mh i dont know my temp goes from 78 to 79 in a whole day period but i think 2x 250 mh will diffently rise even more than that

[ksreefbuilder]

Originally Posted by mattpenn

i have a current with 2x150 mh and 2x130 watt pc it gives me about 7.4/7.5 watts per gallon on a 75 gallon i dont need a chiller but you might need one if you do 2x 250 mh i dont know my temp goes from 78 to 79 in a whole day period but i think 2x 250 mh will diffently rise even more than that

Yea, I dont want a chiller right now for sure. I just thought after reading everything more watts might be about the same heat and would benefit from it. From what I read all MH bulbs burn aroufn the same heat as long as you keep the K value the same.

[NATIVEVAMAN]

I would say that if you have a 150 watt bulb attached to a ballast that is made for a 250 watt bulb your 150 watt bulb is just about shot.If you had a lux meter you would be able to take a reading and I bet you would find the bulbs running at nearly 200 watts.This overdrive situation will cause a rapid color shift and it may never have run at the advertised color temp.

[Tonz of fun]

I would say it depends on the tank. How How are we supposed to vote on what lighting system to go with??? Sure go with the 250s on you 75g tank and invest in a chiller lol.

[ksreefbuilder]

Originally Posted by NATIVEVAMAN

I would say that if you have a 150 watt bulb attached to a ballast that is made for a 250 watt bulb your 150 watt bulb is just about shot.If you had a lux meter you would be able to take a reading and I bet you would find the bulbs running at nearly 200 watts.This overdrive situation will cause a rapid color shift and it may never have run at the advertised color temp.

I had messaged you about this, and thought you said it was ok to go with a lower watt, just not a higher watt than my ballast...

[NATIVEVAMAN]

no clint what I said is thatr it works both ways.If you put a 250 watt bulb on a 150 watt ballast it will run at a low wattage with very poor color. Turn that around and put low wattage bulb on a higher wattage ballast it will overdrive and burn the colors out.I am sorry I confused you.

[ksreefbuilder]

Originally Posted by NATIVEVAMAN

no clint what I said is thatr it works both ways.If you put a 250 watt bulb on a 150 watt ballast it will run at a low wattage with very poor color. Turn that around and put low wattage bulb on a higher wattage ballast it will overdrive and burn the colors out.I am sorry I confused you.

Ok, now I got it. My LFS told me it did not matter, so I am going to have a talk with him today. The light did not come with bulbs and he sold me 150W since thats all he had, go figure...

[pogodzib]

Dale is right that you should always match the bulb to the ballast and don't run bulbs that are rated for different wattages.

BTW - Don't believe everything that your LFS tells you. Most stores don't have staff members that keep reef tanks, let alone a long running successful tank. All they need to do is know how to keep corals or fish alive for a few weeks. Even if the store has it's own reef tank display, remember that if a coral dies, they just replace it with another one so it always looks full and thriving.

[carmanimports]

i agree with pogodzib the guy that is in charge of r displays and the manager r idiot pretending to know about saltwater when they dont know crap im the only one there that does and im not in charge of crap but they do just eplace as they die and they just use torch thats all they have in the display is the same crap over and over cuz that is all they can keep alive for more than a month

[ksreefbuilder]

Originally Posted by pogodzib

Dale is right that you should always match the bulb to the ballast and don't run bulbs that are rated for different wattages.

BTW - Don't believe everything that your LFS tells you. Most stores don't have staff members that keep reef tanks, let alone a long running successful tank. All they need to do is know how to keep corals or fish alive for a few weeks. Even if the store has it's own reef tank display, remember that if a coral dies, they just replace it with another one so it always looks full and thriving.

Yea, I know this guy is a idiot, but then again I know nothing about MH bulbs. Thanks for the help. I will just replace them with the proper bulbs and hope my tank dont get too hot. Better to find this out now with no corals though then after. Thanks

[e_baer]

I am not sure if I can vote without knowing what type of corals you will be trying to keep.

[ksreefbuilder]

Originally Posted by e_baer

I am not sure if I can vote without knowing what type of corals you will be trying to keep.

well, I am wanting some anemones, & polyps to start with and then move on to some hammer, brain, bubble, colt, & finger corals. After reading some more on these types of corals I think the more watts the better, so I ordered a pair of new 250w 15000K MH off ebay today for $32 total shipped. Please still vote and let me know what you think. I think most of these corals will be growing like crazy with this much light... 8.4wpg

[e_baer]

wait, just the bulbs are 32 or the entire fixture?

and also, i think you should have went for 10000k bulbs, not 15

corals grow better with 6700k, but most people likethe blueish color, so 10 would be right in between.

[ksreefbuilder]

Originally Posted by e_baer

wait, just the bulbs are 32 or the entire fixture?

and also, i think you should have went for 10000k bulbs, not 15

corals grow better with 6700k, but most people likethe blueish color, so 10 would be right in between.

Just the two new bulbs were $32. I bought my Aqualight Pro fixture on sale from my LFS for $350 plus the cost of bulbs. Ok, so I should buy the 6700K or 10000K from now on? Does it make that much difference in growth?

[NATIVEVAMAN]

Clint,now you are at the point where the experimentation and the real learning beggins.Dont let every bulb you see drive you crazy.remember to date all your bulbs or number them and keep records.One of these days you will have a bulb list as long as your arm and still not remember your favorite group.You might not want to measure every coral in your tank every month,but a camera wouldnt hurt.And remember we are always here for your success's and your failures,dont forget to share.

[ksreefbuilder]

Originally Posted by NATIVEVAMAN

Clint,now you are at the point where the experimentation and the real learning beggins.Dont let every bulb you see drive you crazy.remember to date all your bulbs or number them and keep records.One of these days you will have a bulb list as long as your arm and still not remember your favorite group.You might not want to measure every coral in your tank every month,but a camera wouldnt hurt.And remember we are always here for your success's and your failures,dont forget to share.

Ok, thanks. I will always ask questions, no matter how experienced I get, someone always has more and is willing to share. Thanks again

[e_baer]

Originally Posted by parsonsc

Just the two new bulbs were $32. I bought my Aqualight Pro fixture on sale from my LFS for $350 plus the cost of bulbs. Ok, so I should buy the 6700K or 10000K from now on? Does it make that much difference in growth?

well, the 67k would be best.....but 10k will do. im not sure of all the details... (this is where you come in native)

[ksreefbuilder]

Originally Posted by e_baer

well, the 67k would be best.....but 10k will do. im not sure of all the details... (this is where you come in native)

Yes, please teach me about the kelvin temps and coral growth. I had not even thought about this subject.

[jimw369]

Not enough info. Mixed reef? softies, LPS, SPS, Clams? How deep is your tank? MIxed reef but how is your rock going to be set up? Are all corals going to get full light or are some going to be under ledges or blocked from full light exposure?

If you cant answer these questions then most any light will do some of what you want.

Originally Posted by parsonsc

I have really been researching about light for a reef mix tank and want to make everything as healthy and grow as fast as I can from little frags. I read you can never have too much light because you will never get as bright as the sun at noon on a reef. Right now I have 5.7 watts per gallon WPG, with a metal halide & power compact combo light system, but was thinking about switching to a higher output metal halide bulb in 6 months when they will need it. My ballasts are rated at double what I have now, so my question is... Is more or less light better?

[ksreefbuilder]

Originally Posted by jimw369

Not enough info. Mixed reef? softies, LPS, SPS, Clams? How deep is your tank? MIxed reef but how is your rock going to be set up? Are all corals going to get full light or are some going to be under ledges or blocked from full light exposure?

If you cant answer these questions then most any light will do some of what you want.

As in my above post, I am wanting some anemones, & polyps to start with and then move on to some hammer, brain, bubble, colt, & finger corals. I think I will be fine with higher light, and yes I have some darker spots for some less light items.

[jimw369]

Lets start at the top:

Anemones-Wonderful, great with the clown fish. Shouldnt be first in your tank. It is recommended that your tank be up and running for 6 mos before adding these. The bad news for anemones is nobody listens to this advice.

As far as the rest of the corals Im not sure even though I have them all. I know others here have them under MH and they do great. I have T5 and I have to hide them from the light. Soon as I put these items listed at the bottom of the tank or under a ledge they do great. Move them up in the tank they start to close up on me. Go figure. Of course now we can dicuss flow issues and thats a whole nother ball game but remember your light, position in the tank and amount of flow all need to jive with the corals preferences for it to thrive. It sounds easy but its not.

Originally Posted by parsonsc

As in my above post, I am wanting some anemones, & polyps to start with and then move on to some hammer, brain, bubble, colt, & finger corals. I think I will be fine with higher light, and yes I have some darker spots for some less light items.

[ksreefbuilder]

Yes, I have lots of flow as well. I use a mag 12 with 1200gph and a home made return 8 power heads for flow.

[wesley6610]

Originally Posted by e_baer

wait, just the bulbs are 32 or the entire fixture?

and also, i think you should have went for 10000k bulbs, not 15

corals grow better with 6700k, but most people likethe blueish color, so 10 would be right in between.

I agree, most people think that they should keep bluer bulbs and really don't know what the impact on the corals might be. I suggest do your research and remember that how you keep your corals may or may not have anything to do with your personal viewing color pleasure.