Kelvins for MH

[fishkid1000]

Im thinking of getting 2 metal halides for my 50 gallon. First off what kelvins should I get for my metal halides? Second off how can i add my vho of pc lights to supplement the halides? Oh ya hey everyone I have not been here in a while.

 

[fishkid1000]

Oh ya ignore the sig. I dont have that stuff.

 

[elan]

its going to depend on a few things.
1) what, and if, are you going to supplement them with?
2) what types of livestock do you have?
3) what type of color do you like?
i am sure there are more, but the above should get you on the right track.

 

[fishkid1000]

I was planning on supplementing them with vho lamps. I want sps lps and soft coral. And I dont care about the color I just want my corals to look as good as possible.

 

[attml]

I am a big fan of the 10K Ushios with URI VHO Super Actenic support! I get good color and growth with that combo. The Ushios are run off a Standard PFO ballast and the VHO Actenics are run off a IceCap 660 ballast

 

[fishkid1000]

what about those 20k bulbs I cant think of the name?

 

[plum70rt]

Radiums 20K
or Venture 10k
or hamilton 10k
or Ushio 10k
or the list goes on

 

[fishkid1000]

Does anyone have any pics of there tank with Radiums?

 

[plum70rt]

I do , ok 20k

 

[plum70rt]

10ks

 

[cincyreefer]

i wouldn't put MH on a 50 gallon tank. They are going to get very hot and will be very difficult to supplement with VHO actinics because of that heat and lack of space. I think you will do fine if you use PC of VHO.

 

[attml]

I have 2 250w MH and 2 110W VHO actenics over my 55 and have now problem with my temp rising at all! I have my hood 8" off the water and a intake and exhaust fan!

 

[tiffster]

attml- do you have a pic of your hood, I just bought the same exact set up (lighting) and I have to build/ purchase a hood that will work and I need an idea of what to do. I don't think that a standard store bought canopy will give me enough clearence. Thanks,
Tiffany

 

[attml]

I am at work so I don't have access to my pics but mine is a Icecap PFO hood with 2 - 5" fans - here is a pic off the website where I bought it

 

[attml]

Here is a better picture I have mine suspended from the ceiling from eye hooks and thin suspension wire. I used metal crimps on both ends to make it look neat since it hangs in my living room. I was too cheap to buy the crimping tool so I measured everything out then used a hammer to close the crimps. It suspends about 8"off of the water. The highest my temperature has ever gotten was 82 degrees. It was a freak day this spring where it got up to 90 degrees outside and we hadn't turned the air conditioning on before we left the house in the morning. My temp normally runs 78-80 degrees.

 

[fishkid1000]

Thankyou Attml for the pictures! I think im gonna custom build that by getting two 250 watt mh from hello lights.com and then get some vho fixture and inclose it in wood. I was planning on getting a chiller because im gonna have a 14 foot long plywood refugium outide my room in the fire escape (I live in the basement). I will need a chiller because it got 118 degrees here last year. Thank the big man upstairs that there is only about 20-30 percent humidity. Thanks everybody