2x250mh over 55gal, no supplementation

[jtkld75]

Will this be ok to use, no not ok, i mean the best, or do i still need vhos or something else? Thanks for the help. Josh

 

[yellowtail]

for a reef?

 

[jtkld75]

yes, for a soon to be reef, right now i only have a few things in there and am running a curret "orbit" lighting system, i was thinking of taking some of the lightsoutof it and putting them with the 2xmh. Is this a good idea? thanks

 

[eg_hatch]

If you dont want to run supplements, try using a 12,000 K or higher bulb, itll give you the right NM you want.

 

[jtkld75]

ok thanks, the 2mh bulbs are 6500k. How much are these bulbs do you know? Im just trying to decide if it is worth tearing apart my basically new orbit light fixture and adding them to the canopy, or just using 10k bulbs? any advise is helpful.
josh

 

[skirrby]

if your going to use 10ks i would use actinics

 

[zap800]

well the 6500k are more to the yellow spectrum of light but it has a higher "par" then any of the other lights. but.......i have a book that is written by pletta called"ultimate marine aquariums" and none of the 50 tanks use 6500k's. they use everything from vho and ro combo's to mh. alll of them use some combo of actincs and eighther 10k's or actinics and mh. a few use some wierd combo there of but they were the exception not the rule. the summery of the book pretty much sums up saying if it works for you then its fine lol. futhermore just because it works great for one person doesnt mean that it (you) will have the same results; be patient and experiment. lol
but thats my $.02

 

[jtkld75]

so with these lights, can i use a 10k bulb or higher, or am i restricted to the 6500k?

 

[eg_hatch]

Go take a look on ----..pretty good deals..
Just use the 12,000 K or higher if you dont want the hassle.