Light Combination Question

Discussion in 'Reef Lighting' started by medhatreefguy, Feb 19, 2009.

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  1. medhatreefguy

    medhatreefguy Fire Worm

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2009
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    Location:
    Medicine Hat, Alberta
    I have just finished my 110 Gal build and for lighting I chose 2 - 250 Watt 20,000K Metal Halide Pendants. I also have a double 58W HO T5 ballast with an actinic bulb and a 6500K bulb. My plan is to have the HO T5's come on before and after the MH's for the sunrise/sunset effect. I do have a couple of concerns;

    1. Are the T5's redundant with the MH lights?
    2. I thought the 6500K would benefit the growth of the corals, but would the more powerful MH lights cancel out the 6500K somehow?
    3. With 20,000K MH do I even need actinic?

    I don't want to be paying electric bills for lighting I don't need, but at the same time I want what is best for my corals. My HO T5 is a Hagen GLO fixture and my only options are 6500K, 18000K, and actinic.
     
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  3. medhatreefguy

    medhatreefguy Fire Worm

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2009
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    Location:
    Medicine Hat, Alberta
  4. GuitarMan89

    GuitarMan89 Giant Squid

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    Location:
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    Hopefully better late than never. The T5s are not redundant, but I would only run actinic bulbs in them. You do have 20,000K MH so you could probably get away without using the T5s, my T5 actinics are 22,000K in comparison.