SPS Tanks with MH lighting only, post your pics...

[blstravler]

I am thinking of going with just MH lighting over my tank, currently there are 3 400 w XM 20K's over my 180 reef. I was wondering if people could post pics or talk about their experiences with using MH only with out any supplemental lighting.

Why am I doing this, my Icecap ballast crapped out on vacation and only the MH came on, the corals have lightned up and I kind of like the way they look. I have always used VHO supplementation but I am now thinking of not....

All opinions and photos are welcome, good or bad.

TIA
Keith

[blstravler]

73 views and nada?

[slick669]

Here is mine i am running 1 400 watt mh hamilton in the middle and ( 2) 250 in the ends. I aslo got (3 )175 in between. all my light are 10,000 k hamilton. http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a336/jlf545_/DSC01596Large.jpg

[stlouisguy]

I only use MH 3 x 250 DE and 2 x 150 DE all phoenix 14k, but going back to 10k on the 250's

<img src=http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_4711.jpg>

[fishypets]

Dang those are impressive tanks.

[piberoptikz]

Awesome indeed!

[gurumasta]

nice tanks.

[phlipper84]

Now that is what I call FULL tanks!

[dots]

No pics to post, but from what I have read, the 15-20Ks have enough blue so there is no need for supplimentation. At that point it may be a color preference for you. I have read some using a variety of bulbs, 10k and 15/20 so they get the best of both worlds, ie color and growth, which sounds reasonable. All depends on how blue you want to go I guess.

[Chaotic Reefer4u]

very nice...

[j_beau_13]

do you think it causes fish stress by going from bright light to dark when turning off the lights??

and can anybody find me a previous thread that had pictures of the different color of mh bulbs ...thank you

[trueblackpercula]

very nice tanks wow

[phlipper84]

The one problem with different spectrum bulbs is that unless you are lining up your fixtues one behind the other, you are going to have completely different colors. I know this because I bought my lighting from someone on RC and they included 4 bulbs, 1 10, 1 20 and 2 14400. Because the other bulbs caused the lighting variance I went with the 14400 which actually gave me the best color balance. As to your light to dark question, I am using vho and power-compact and have the lighting staggered timing wise with them.

[Brewen]

Awesome tanks thanks for sharing.

[mwood]

My tank sucks compared to those, but I do have unique lighting. First pic is with radiums only and second with xm10k's and radiums.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/47076300j.jpg

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/47076300k.jpg

[Serioussnaps]

Anyone got pics of MH 10K only tanks. Ive always used supplemental actinics and wondered how yellow the tank would look without them.

[marino420td]

I am thinking of going with MH only on the 120 I'm currently working to setup. But I love the flourescence (sp) under the VHO actinics I currently run. I may have vho actinics just to run for an hour or two after the MH's go off.

How do you guys have your photoperiod set up with MH only?

[stlouisguy]

They fire on at noon and fire off at 10:30 pm They get a bit of soft light in the morning from a east facing window which wakes them up a bit, then the spotlights go on:cool:

[mwood]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7163519#post7163519 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by marino420td
How do you guys have your photoperiod set up with MH only?

radiums 2-10
xm10k's 5-8

[Racenrich]

My 2.6yr old 55g.......2-175w10K's & 2-110 VHO actinics
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v671/xcmtbkr/55g_11-04-05.jpg


The 55g has now become a 120g, 2 months ago, 2-250w10K's & 4-110w VHO actinics

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v671/xcmtbkr/9a6a4808.jpg

cheers,
Rich K.

[blstravler]

So I got my VHO bulbs up and running again and I have noticed several things. First the front glass is back to getting covered with a brown haze. While I was gone this did not happen but I did notice just as good growth with my SPS with out the VHO. In fact I think the growth was better? As well the color has now darkened up up on the SPS with the VHO back on....

I am now thinking about just having the VHO come on before the MH come on and then after the mh go off. For a dawn and dusk effect.

Does any one currently do this and if you do what is your time photo period for the bulbs?

[stlouisguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7164706#post7164706 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Racenrich


The 55g has now become a 120g, 2 months ago, 2-250w10K's & 4-110w VHO actinics



[/B]

But, with actinics, that isnt MH only

Nice tanks though

[Racenrich]

oops ment to say that pic is with MH ONLY....i have since added 4-VHO....as you see its a crisp white with no blue hue

Thanks for the comment.

RK