MH lighting advice for my 55 gal.

;D

I'm gonna get a 2x250 watt MH pendants. I just wanted to know if i should get 2-20K bulbs. i won't have any actincs just MH 20K bulbs. will that provide the same wavelengths as actincs. will the same effect it has on corals, have the same effect w/ 20K bulbs. i mean will they glow under 20K bulbs just the same as actincs. What do u guys think.

 

I prefer the look of 10,000k bulbs. They are very crisp with or without Actinics.

 

what don't u like about 20000K bulbs. Don't u need actinics w/ 10000K bulbs.

 

Depending on the brand of pendant why not get 14K bulbs! These eliminate the need for actinics. They are right between the whiteness of the 10K and the blueness of the 20K. These are availible on the coralvue pendants and make the tank look perfect in my opinion!

 

i'm looking at the PFO HQI pendants. i don't want my whole tank to be blue but i don't wanna have to have actincs. can i eliminate the actincs w/ the 20000K. will my whole tank be a dark blue color.

 

Did you ever consider the Coralvue HQI pendants? They have an electronic ballast and are much cheaper? Plus the ballasts have a 3 year warranty! I can send you a picture of them if you like!

 

i thought they were more expensive.

 

there like $595 for 2. PFO is like $450.

 

The Coralvues are DE HQI and the balllast is electronic and includes the bulbs and ballasts. The ballasts have a 3 year warranty and the pendant has a built in fan! Just want to make sure the comparison is for the same type of set up! No pressure jsut wanted to help!

 

I'm with Darin on the 14K deal. The 20Ks will be dark blue, so blue it will be ugly.