Diffrence between diffrent types of Ligthing!!

[John Kh]

Can someone tell me what is the main diffrence between Metal Halide, Actinics and NO (Normal Output Bulbs)? I do not want details. Simply the main diffrence between and the main benefit of each. I am still really confused about this issue. And why do I need to use MH especially!!!

The tank is again:
220Cm X 60Cm X 90Cm (depth)
Building in progress and it should have some corals and one anemone (Bubble Tip) so far!!! Plus some fish. Some people here suggested 3X250W MH (I assume they should be a combination of 2X20,000K and 1X6,500/10,000K) Plus maybe 4 Actinics. But still not really convinced with this since it is too much electricity consumption at a time. I am looking for something that can save up to a certain degree some power because where I live the electricity does not run 24/7 here. And the UPS handeling the disconnection wont support more than just 5Amp running for 5-6hours. Any advise? Taking into consideration what I mentioned above!! Thank you.

J,

 

[Anonymous]

For a tank 90cm deep you definitely need metal halides. Other types of lighting won't penetrate that deep. Unless you're talking about 90cm front to back (deep) and 60cm bottom to top (high), in which case, you could get away with high quality T5 lighting (or even moderately good T5s, with light demanding coral at the top and less demanding types at the bottom).

Actinics are not strong enough to sustain photosynthetic coral on their own. Their purpose, as I mentioned in the other thread, is to add blue tones to the light and to fluoresce those corals that can. So they are usually used as supplemental lighting. Either with metal halides, or with other fluorescent bulbs.

Normal output bulbs will not be strong enough to sustain photosynthetic coral in your tank. They are OK for shallow tanks for coral with low light demands (e.g. mushroom corals in a 45 cm deep tank), but beyond that are not really that popular with aquarists anymore. They might be OK for a fish only tank, but even then, they won't really show up the fish that well either!

If you want to keep a bubble tip anemone, I'd recommend good T5s or a MH set up. Particularly in a tank 60-90cm deep.

 

[John Kh]

For a tank 90cm deep you definitely need metal halides. Other types of lighting won't penetrate that deep. Unless you're talking about 90cm front to back (deep) and 60cm bottom to top (high)

The tank is 90Cm Top to Bottom and 60Cm Back to Front.
I read your reply on the other thread but I am still confused with all those products available. That's all. Thank you for your help anyway. I mentioned LED somewhere here. Can you tell me what you think about them!?


J,

 

[Anonymous]

For a tank 90cm deep you definitely need metal halides. Other types of lighting won't penetrate that deep. Unless you're talking about 90cm front to back (deep) and 60cm bottom to top (high)

The tank is 90Cm Top to Bottom and 60Cm Back to Front.
I read your reply on the other thread but I am still confused with all those products available. That's all. Thank you for your help anyway. I mentioned LED somewhere here. Can you tell me what you think about them!?


J,

For 90cm, you need to get MH. The reason is that their light penetrates more deeply than any other lighting available. I understand your confusion - there are two many choices out there!

LED lighting is not something I have any personal experience of, but I doubt it would have the punch you need. Others might know better...

 

[Anonymous]

For a tank 90cm deep you definitely need metal halides. Other types of lighting won't penetrate that deep. Unless you're talking about 90cm front to back (deep) and 60cm bottom to top (high)

The tank is 90Cm Top to Bottom and 60Cm Back to Front.
I read your reply on the other thread but I am still confused with all those products available. That's all. Thank you for your help anyway. I mentioned LED somewhere here. Can you tell me what you think about them!?


J,

For 90cm, you need to get MH. The reason is that their light penetrates more deeply than any other lighting available. I understand your confusion - there are two many choices out there!

LED lighting is not something I have any personal experience of, but I doubt it would have the punch you need. Others might know better...

Agreed

 

[John Kh]

Well we agreed on 2 X 250W MH 6700K, 1 X 150 MH 20000K and 6 Actinics: 2 of them pure white and 4 Blue.

J,

 

[John Kh]

Is it true that the 6700K are more expensive then the 20000? As far as a set level and not the bulb itself (The whole set: Bulb+Fitting)? Anyone has an idea here?

 

[Anonymous]

6700k doesn't sound like the best choice for a reef tank. Great if you're growing macro algae in a refugium, but it's going to look pretty yellow, even with the one 20,000k bulb. If you want a nice white color, I'd go for 10,000k in each bulb. A lot of people prefer something a bit bluer - maybe 14,000k.

As for prices, I'd check out the sponsors' websites to give you a good idea. I've used Marine Depot in the past and was pleased with the service. Premier Aquatics have also got a good rep and excellent selection.

 

[livingstone]

Well we agreed on 2 X 250W MH 6700K, 1 X 150 MH 20000K and 6 Actinics: 2 of them pure white and 4 Blue.

J,

Umm. There's something wrong with your terminology here. Maybe you are referring to T5 fluorescents and not 'actinics'. Pure white is not actinic.

 

[John Kh]

I am sorry. I mean 6Florescent: 2 White and 4 blue. That's all.

J,