400W MH Pendant / BLUE

[ackermsb]

I was thinking of getting 2 400W MH pendants. If I did this I would not hav eany dawn/dusk effect. What if I were to get blueish colored 12000k bulbs . Would this create a nice asthetic look.

 

[ackermsb]

I understand all too well about actninc bulbs and how nice it would be to have them. But currently, with my setup and the back of the tank which is very limited in space (after months of research feel the best way is to hang two 400W pendants(i mean many hours and just about every situation)) I was wondering if I could just use a bluish tinted bulb all day?
Maybe in the future I could build something to allow me to run some VHO's but right now I am just trying to get some good lights up. Would you recommend a regular bulb or one with a blueish tint?
thanks

 

[ackermsb]

The tank is 180 Gallon but it is built into the wall. Only so much of the tank is exposed from the back on one side and on the other there is a little access panel that I could fit a pendant in. Im really just trying to get started and I will move forward with the lighting as i go. To start I was going to get 2 400 W MH pendants. I have to piles of live rock (around 55lbs each) and a pendant would hang over each.
Im really trying to figure out id i should go with a tinted bulb or not.

 

[ackermsb]

I think having a blue tint would look kind of neat. However, I could do some re-arranging in the future and get some PC actinics. I also like the option of the pendants cause I can always add another one. tough calls all around
One question. What is the best way to keep them cool. How should I position fans for this.
Thanks Kipass

 

[ackermsb]

^bump
Anyone know the best way to keep a pendant cool other than point a fan at it

 

[ackermsb]

I should be able to get them far enough away from the surface of the tank but they may be close to the walls. Is that okay?
Thanks

 

[ackermsb]

I do understand that the tank will not be lit to my satifscation but the way it is setup it is difficult to get three setup (i could and may in the future but they still would be spaced properly). So for now, I will get to and hang them directly over the piles of rock.

 

[richard rendos]

MH come in many K values...4300K, 5500K, 6500K, 10K, 12K, 14K, 15K, 20K, 50K. There may be more than that. The higher the K value, the bluer the color. 20K's run on a regular ballast appear bluer than they do on an HQI ballast. 20K's on an HQI ballast have a very crisp white color. This is probably because a regular ballast is only driving the 400 watt bulb at like 360 watts, and the HQI drives it at somewhere around 430 watts.
In my experience with 12K bulbs, I would say not to get them. They shift spectrum very quickly. I had to replace mine every 6-8 months.