Mh lighting

[puleski]

If I'm running mh lights on an sps tank is there any value using pc lights (retro fit) if so what and how often should pc's be changed

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[sirreal63]

PC actintics are nice in color but should be changed every 9-12 months.

[puleski]

Which ones are best for color?


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[sirreal63]

What are you trying to do? Actintic supplements or an addition to your MH?

[puleski]

Well retro fit came with 2-250w Mh and 2-96w pc's. I have great growth but colors aren't as vibrant as I would like.

[puleski]

And I'm not 100% sold on LED yet.

[sirreal63]

Coloration of corals isn't always about light, available nutrients play a very large role as well. Which MH bulbs are you running and which PC bulbs? What are your po4 and no3 levels and what are you using to test that with?

[Lowefx]

I agree with Puleski, my coral colors are not vibrant, and i believe its missing (not enough) Atinic (420nm) from the PC. I have 2x150w 16k MH and 2x96w PC (current usa only-sucks) dual colors (purple&blue). I have been thinking of retro fitting 2 T5 atinics in place of the PC, but i don't know if its worth the money. Im subscribed, and would like some more info.

[sirreal63]

T5 actintics aren't all that great IME. I am going back to VHO SuperActintics.

[jda]

Are your 250s mogul? What bulbs are you using?

You should be able to find a MH bulb that has all/most of the color that you are looking for. My favorite 250W mogul bulb is XM 20k - good look and good growth. Radium 20K is nice too. If double ended, then phoenix 14k.

With any of those bulbs, the PCs probably will not add to much to the color spectrum. If you have a nice MH bulbs, then no supplementation is usually necessary. I bought some reefbrite 48" strips and you seriously can barely tell that they are on with my phoenix 14K, so I sold them.

If you really want some bad-*** actinic supplementation, then URI Super Actinic VHO cannot be beat IMO. Sometimes the old school is better.

[Lowefx]

T5 actintics aren't all that great IME. I am going back to VHO SuperActintics. Ok, i'd rater retro that into my fixture, if you have extra parts :-) Ill buy the ballast!
Here is the link to my thread (Not trying to Hyjack-same issues)http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2270563
I guess im trying to get more "GLOW" or violet/atinic maybe more for outside of the hours my MH are on.

[jda]

If you are rocking 150W HQI, then you should be able to find a bulb that give you all the actinic spectrum that you need. Supplementing with VHO is cool, but check out some other bulbs first. The 14K DE phoenix bulbs are amazing if you have HQI ballasts... if they are electronic, then I have no idea what to suggest.

[epicurus84]

Coloration of corals isn't always about light, available nutrients play a very large role as well. Which MH bulbs are you running and which PC bulbs? What are your po4 and no3 levels and what are you using to test that with?

Excactly tank husbandary is the biggest player. Low nutrients (but > 0), and good lighting. It doesn't need to be the best lighting. Because then we all need at least 1k MH. We can't match the sun's power (yet).

For vibrant colours you'll need full spectrum leds with UV.

[sirreal63]

(Not trying to Hyjack-same issues)http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2270563

I will send you a link in the other thread to keep this one from going too far off track.

[puleski]

Hamilton 14k with current usa 50/50 pc's. I also tried the 420/460 bulbs.as far as Po4 .01 No3 0.50, Kh 10.5, Mg 1380 Ca 400

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[sirreal63]

If the po4 is accurate it may be a little low, I get the best coloration with .04-.07 and nitrates at about 5 but that doesn't work for everyone.

[puleski]

All test were done with Red Sea test kits. Time to test again.

[skip0211]

I'm about ready to change my 96 watt Current PC's that are about a year old. They supplement my 3 Phoenix DE 250 watt MH. Not sure wether I like them or not. Any other brand suggestions or color PC options/suggestions?

Thanks,

[Veosk]

I recommend the radium 20k. I use to run actinics w another metal halide bulb. Switched to a radium and got all the blue I need. Honestly I couldnt tell the difference with the pc's on. I was running a 250w mh with 2 65w actinic pc's. now just the radium 20k. But supplements are the key. I went through the light tweaking stage with no results. Feed the tank and watch the po4 and no3