Tank and Lighting Change

[Stanley]

Allright,
I was wondering if you guys could give me some advice on lighting.
I currently have a 29gal reef tank with about 5 softies in it. I have a Custom Sea Life PC fixture with 2x65w white and actinic bulbs. Last week I purchased an Oceanic 58 gal. with canopy. I want to transfer all of my stuff from the 29 to the 58 and eventually I want to start keeping SPS's.
I am really not that attached to the canopy so pendants would be OK. But my question I guess is if I go with MH waht wattage and colors should I go with. I know this seems like a simple question but my 29 has been going good for 2 years and I really want to step up a bit. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Scott

 

[Anonymous]

If you go with MH you may want to keep your pc bulbs as actinic supplement, that way you could get away with lower kelvin (i.e. cheaper) MH bulbs.

The wattage of the MH will depend on what types of SPS you want to keep. I have kept easier SPS (digitata and the like) with no problem under 175 watt MH, but that won't be enough for some of the more sensitive SPS and clams. My advice would be that if you plan on having a SPS dedicated tank in the future you should just go ahead and get a higher wattage setup (like 250s), because lighting is a costly thing to have to buy twice. Anyway, as far as colors I like the 10k MH bulbs with actinic supplement (PC or VHO). HTHs

 

[Ben1]

If you go with MH you may want to keep your pc bulbs as actinic supplement, that way you could get away with lower kelvin (i.e. cheaper) MH bulbs.

But then you are also buying actinics, a lot of 20k users dont use actinics so they spend the same on bulbs as a 10k user that also buys actinics. Saving money should never be an issue when buying lights.

That being said, this topic is well disscussed and using the search function should more then answer your question.

 

[Anonymous]

It was my understanding that the higher the Kelvin of the bulb, the more frequently they needed to be replaced, so it isn't just the initial cost. Whereas actinics don't need to be replaced at the same rate.
In any event, it is great to say that cost should never be an issue, but not everyone has an unlimited amount of resources they can put into their tanks, and descisions based on cost are necessary for all the non-wealthy reefkeepers.

 

[ZooKeeper1]

I've got a 58 too, havent set it up yet, I have a 250 watt AB 13k for it. Nice white color just perfect all alone. I also have a 15 gal with a 10k ushio on it, and the color is more blue from the ushio, So choosing the mfg. is as important as the temp.

 

[WYOReeffreak]

Keep the PC's for actinics. 10k MH's are lovely, no ugly yellow. If you are willing then you could consider VHO actinic.

 

[Ben1]

but not everyone has an unlimited amount of resources they can put into their tanks, and descisions based on cost are necessary for all the non-wealthy reefkeepers.

Trust me, that I realize, I am very limited in funds myself. My point was is when you are buying essential equiptment for your reeftank don't spend less to save a few dollars. It's best to spend big right away and get it right the first time.

Actinic VHO's are often recommended to be changed every 6-9 months. When I used them I went 12. Now I have actinic pc's and 10 K ushios, all are changed once every 12 months. I beleive the 20k xm's also only need to be changed every 9-12 months, radiums seem to be 6-9 months. All bulbs have a shift is their waveleghts over time though.

Like I said before there is many, many, topics regarding this and tons of opinions.

 

[WYOReeffreak]

yeah, VHO actinics are short lived. But on a tank this size they have a awsome output a 100% side to side coverage. I have always paid through the nose for lights, but it's worth it. I will ride my modified, overdriven and highly abused seaclone skimmer till it kicks. But I won't chinse on light.