Light recommendation!!

Discussion in 'Reef Lighting' started by gsxr1000rider, Apr 20, 2011.

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  1. gsxr1000rider

    gsxr1000rider Fire Shrimp

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    Location:
    Glendora, CA
    I currently have 4x T5HO over my 40 gal breeder tank. 1 18k, 2 actinic, 1 6500k all Glo bulbs.. I wanna switch to 2x125w MH.
    My current live stock is
    Xenia
    Bunch or mushrooms
    BTA
    Purple tip anemone
    Torch
    Zoas
    Leathers
    Polyps
    Flowerpot

    am I looking in the right direction with 2x125w MH? Can anyone shoot me in the right direction on a nice MH setup for my 40 gal? Also I love the blueish color in my tank makes my corals look awesome! What bulbs should I go with for the best color/growth combo.
    Thanks reef pals!!
     
    gsxr1000rider, Apr 20, 2011
    gsxr1000rider, Apr 20, 2011
    #1

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  2. xxredxpandaxx

    xxredxpandaxx Coral Banded Shrimp

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    If I went metal halide I would go with the phoenix bulb I have heard good things about them but I don't know because I have never had them. here is a link
     
    xxredxpandaxx, Apr 20, 2011
    xxredxpandaxx, Apr 20, 2011
    #2
  3. m2434

    m2434 Giant Squid

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    I'm nt sure that you'll improve anything with MHs on that tank. With the livestock you have, lower to medium light is probably better, and T-5s are actually quite strong. I don't know of any aquarium oriented 125W MHs though. Do you mean 150s? 2x150 MHs on your current tank is more than you need I think. If you want better growth, you could just switch out your 2 actinics for Some ATI blue plus bulbs. They have over twice the usable light output of the actinics and look just as blue.
     
    m2434, Apr 20, 2011
    m2434, Apr 20, 2011
    #3
  4. gsxr1000rider

    gsxr1000rider Fire Shrimp

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    Thanks a million, I'll look into those bulbs and do some more research. Do you have a link you could shoot me so I can check out them bulbs? Thanks again bud
     
    gsxr1000rider, Apr 20, 2011
    gsxr1000rider, Apr 20, 2011
    #4
  5. gsxr1000rider

    gsxr1000rider Fire Shrimp

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    gsxr1000rider, Apr 20, 2011
    gsxr1000rider, Apr 20, 2011
    #5
  6. barbianj

    barbianj Hammer Head Shark

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    I totally agree. The ATI bulbs are much better than the Glo. For a four bulb fixture I would use two Blue+, a Purple+ and an Aquablue Special. Don't replace all at once, though. Remember to mark the date on new bulbs.

    What fixture are you running? That can make a difference, too.

    The Aquacave bulbs that you linked to are the ones.
     
    barbianj, Apr 20, 2011
    barbianj, Apr 20, 2011
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  7. OrphekUSA

    OrphekUSA 3reef Sponsor

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    I tend to agree. :)
     
    OrphekUSA, Apr 21, 2011
    OrphekUSA, Apr 21, 2011
    #7
  8. m2434

    m2434 Giant Squid

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    Yup, that's them. Also, barbianj mentioned the purple plus. That is the same bulb, but it has a red spike. Just helps bring out some reds more really. You can certainly mix and match bulbs to your liking. You can experiment quite a bit for a lot less than the cost of a new fixture really.
     
    m2434, Apr 21, 2011
    m2434, Apr 21, 2011
    #8
  9. gsxr1000rider

    gsxr1000rider Fire Shrimp

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    Awesome, thanks a bunch guys
     
    gsxr1000rider, Apr 23, 2011
    gsxr1000rider, Apr 23, 2011
    #9