175's to 250's. Just a test.

dburr

dburr

Active Member
I have seen a bunch of questions on what size lights to use for SPS tanks for the best color. I know more is better, but I thought it would be interesting to document it. I took a few group shots of my 90 gallon SPS tank. Colors are nice but I have seen better in some of your tanks.(just a tad jealous) It is lite with 175 10K coralvue and a hamilton. (1 coralvue dead after 3 weeks)
The new bulbs are 250 watt 15K Agromax. Colors will be skewed because of the K rating, but will still be interesting. These will have to burn in but I will post every 2 weeks some of the same group shots. To burn in, i'm starting at 1 hour(tonight) and ramping upto the 7 hours the other bulbs were at. Ramping at 15 mins a day.
MODS: I posted this here to get the most traffic, if you think it should be under equiptment, feel free.
Group shot 1: Some monti's and the center one is a deep water coral, should be a nice green.
 
dburr

dburr

Active Member
This is the one i'm really interested in, the blue tort. It's less blue than when I got it 6 weeks ago.
 
fastmarc

fastmarc

Member
It is such a subjective thing.
I prefer the look of the 'old' lights. The new ones are too blue for my taste.
Also, the 'old' lights pictures look brighter. It could be the higher K's or maybe it's just the camera.
By the way, nice tank you have there.
 
shoreliner11

shoreliner11

Active Member
Generally when you see a pic that blue its not that blue in real life. I run a de 250w 20k and its still whiter than that. The white balance on cameras usually distorts the colors a bit. Every photo I take of my tank I must change color balances in photoshop. Anyway, how do you like the change? Is it really that blue in person? Personally I like the colors I can get with 20k's. Many purples will take on a greenish hue which I like alot.
 
dburr

dburr

Active Member
Thanks for the comments.
15K Agromax do you have any data on the intensity? what made you go with this bulb?
I really don't have any info. I wanted a 12/14K bulbs and saw these at $36 plus $5 shipping. Other comments from other people that liked them swayed me. Before everyone asks where I got such a good deal:D , I got them from another MB in the sellinf forum. You will have to search because big brother is watching.
I prefer the look of the 'old' lights. The new ones are too blue for my taste.
The color is skewed from the camera. Think of your favorite old pair of blue jeans. You know, the faded look, that is the color. When they burn in they will lighten up even more.
Also, the 'old' lights pictures look brighter.
It looks the same "brightness" from where I sit.:)
Anyway, how do you like the change?
So far, I LOVE IT.
 
dburr

dburr

Active Member
I tried to adjust the color in photoshop. It may be even more slightly whiter than this pic.
 
small time

small time

Member
we have all seen unbelivible tanks running 10k with or without actinic and all bulbs up to 20k. look up penn state universitys tank using 10k only, color is awsome. i've seen vho and t5 tanks getting colors better than mh. seem's like everyone who posts a nice looking tank there first response is what lighting do you have? it should be what husbandry do you do? what type of salt, how otfen and how much water do you change,ect.
i like my pink birdsnest, had it under 10k 150 hqi and the
pink was bright and glowed,while under 250w hqi 14k
it faded to a dull pink. the bulb we choose should be what our eye likes
i would like to run 10k 20k together but my electic bill was
almost 300 a month with the tank running
the best bulb out there in the 20k type is the radium
the 10k i like the ushio (opionion)
i was running a 14 and 20 with a 10k in the middle and thought most corals looked best in the middle of my tank.
i just took down my system becuase of bad design and problems with po4 and bad circulation but when i set up my new tank next week ill be purchasing vho actinic within a month
i love the way corals glow under actinic
 
dburr

dburr

Active Member
outa curriosity, why not?
Well for starters, I hate dosing everyday the 2 part system, that is alot more to dose. I also drip lime water 24/7, if I make it.:rolleyes: Right now I am in-the-middle of making a calcium reactor anyway.
Also that system of dosing is still new to the US and I don't trust it yet. I am doing proven methods that have been around for awhile.
 
dburr

dburr

Active Member
Just about 2 weeks now with the new lights. I'm about half-way burned in.
Wow, have they lightened up. Here is a pic with the flash on to get the best "color" from my eye.
 
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