Supplimental lighting for a Phoenix 15K MH?

[Rborgia]

Hi all.. it's been a long time since I have posted on the boards... Life has been extremely busy. Work, Classes, Baby (Just started walking.. oh boy! HELP!)and Jiu Jitsu (3 x week) have me completely out of time. I hope all is well...

Anyway... to the reef related question.

I am currently running a Phoenix 15K DE in a PFO pendant and Icecap 250W ballast on my 58gal mixed reef. Should I be using actinic supplimental lighting as well? Or does the 15K cover enough of the spectrum?

I was considering adding a 24" or 36" actinic on an Icecap 440 series ballast.

Thanks!

Rich

 

[Deanos]

With a 15K bulb, I'd say actinic supplementation becomes a personal preference, i.e. the tank is not blue enough to your eyes.

 

[prattreef]

Agree Dean. FWIW, the Phoenix is a 14K lamp.... at least that is what they say RD

 

[fritz]

Or does the 15K cover enough of the spectrum?

If you mean that you're worried that in spite of the 250 Watts, the spectrum isn't 100% useable to your corals you are correct however actinic isn't at all useable by the corals (very little anyway). Actinic supplimentation is for us, not the corals. For highest PAR value you'd want something closer to 6,500k. That would give you the biggest light wavelength BAM for your buck, but it would give you nasty yellow light.

 

[jhale]

i agree with the above, i just wanted to say HI Rich

don't stay away so long!

 

[cali_reef]

Hi Rich, Fishing was not part of the summer activities?

 

[pecan2phat]

I always thought the same in terms of light spectrum intensity but now am questioning if 6500k to 10,000k might be too intense for our average 12" deep coral placement.

Blue light penetrates the deepest and for those that dive, do you view tropical corals in white light or blueish light surroundings?

 

[scarf_ace1981]

rich

i believe house uses phoenix 14k and i was told by him he uses no actinic. i myself used 15k xm and did not supplement w/ actinic, i will be switching to 14k phoenix this month. i think it's all a matter of preference.

if you want more blue than supply w/ actinic. if it's growth you want then i suggest a 10k bulb. if you get 10k you will definately need actinic.

 

[Rborgia]

Hi again all!

And thanks for the replies... I think I a dummy and screwed up. I have one bulb that is 10K and one 15K. One is Phoeix and one is XM (I won one at the swap at Pratt). I'm just not sure which one is which... I know I installed the 15K in hopig it would look better.

Cali... I went to Maine for a week with my father and two of his friends... http://www.whisperwoodlodge.com and did some freshwater fishing the first week of July. Other then that I am sad to say... No fishing at all! I am completely bummed! I think I will break out the surf pole and head to my sister in-laws in long beach (She lives right on the ocean, between 2 Jetties).

 

[prattreef]

Rich,

I might be wrong, but I think the bulbs at the swap were Iwasaki 175W 15K. Are these mogul or double ended lamps? The Iwasaki would be single. A Phoenix would be DE and either 150W or 250W. BTW, those Iwasaki's are PAR beasts close to many 250W ers in that regard.
Randy

 

[Rborgia]

Rich,

I might be wrong, but I think the bulbs at the swap were Iwasaki 175W 15K. Are these mogul or double ended lamps? The Iwasaki would be single. A Phoenix would be DE and either 150W or 250W. BTW, those Iwasaki's are PAR beasts close to many 250W ers in that regard.
Randy

Well.. I am definately running a 250W Icecap Ballast, wouldn't a 175w bulb fry if that were the case?

Oh well... I will check it out tonight when I get home... Thanks again Randy... and btw... the new tank looks awesome! congrats!

Rich

 

[prattreef]

The DE /SE answer will seal the deal. And a 175W bulb will light on a 250 ballast just burn strangely and have a very short life.

Thanks for the kind words. Randy