New lighting need help

ctgretzky9

ctgretzky9

Member
Hello!
I am picking up my first metal halide today. Bought a 250 watt, 10k bulb, pendant light. I will be suspending it from my ceiling.
Now, do I need to add any other lighting? I have pc's now with 50/50, 10k, and 420.
I was thinking on hanging the MH light, and also hanging the pc's up, and changing the color of the pc's, and then puting them on a seperate timer-pc's come on first, then halides, then halide goes off, but pc's stay on...kinda dusk to dawn thing...
Anyone know what color pc's i should get to simulate this?
Thanks!!
oh, tank is 60 hex.
 
reefnut

reefnut

Active Member
Sounds like a good plan to me. I would use all actinic PCs... but it really depends on what you like. About any combination would work for the corals.
 
reeferman1

reeferman1

Member
I just received my mh 250, 10k pendant also. I'm going to hang it tonight. This should be fun, I have a 12 foot ceiling.
I also want to rig up some kind of moon lighting as well. What exactly is actinic lighting and can you change the color of the bulbs to create moon lighting? Thanx.
 
ctgretzky9

ctgretzky9

Member
Thanks reefnut...is there a specific coloration I should use though?
I'm sorry, I haven't really researched lighting too much since I only have some polyps and zoos in there.
Thanks for any help!
And reefer...isnt it exciting? lol...I can't wait to pick it up, and then go to the hardware store for some nice chain and hooks etc...
I will post what model I got tomorrow, I do know it is rectangular.
I have a hood on the tank now, so I am wondering what you are planning to use to keep out dust/keep fish in etc....since obviously cant use any hood anymore on my tank
 
reeferman1

reeferman1

Member
I bought a kit that goes with the pendant for hanging. I was told with no top on the tank that the water will evaporate natually and with tha aide of the light. This will work out with the water changes. I was told to hang the light -8" above the tank for starters and keep an eye on the temperature. My tank is 3 feet deep. If it gets to warm, via the kit I can easily adjust the height. I'm thinking about getting a metal screen with large openings or metal grid maybe to keep fishing from jumping out. As far as moon lighting they sell small LED moon lights which attach to the side of your tank. This might work out for me because my tank is only 30 Gal. I was told that the mh is really only the lights I need. Lol, with your set-up. I'll let you know how mine does.
 
reefnut

reefnut

Active Member

Originally posted by ctgretzky9
is there a specific coloration I should use though?
Not really, most people like the looks of actinics with the 10k bulbs though. I guess that's what I would do...
 
ctgretzky9

ctgretzky9

Member
Ok, thank you so much reefernuts! I appreciate you taking the time.
And reeferman, I was thinking a metal screen too, but was afraid of how the metal may interact with any salt creep, or if the metal would somehow get into the water at all and foul it?
I was going to use some kind of eggcrate material, or a perforated plex. Not sure yet.
Have fun!
 
smarls

smarls

Member
Gretzky,
Nice work on the halides, I have been thinking about that change for a while, but I have not pulled the trigger yet. Currently running PC lights with half 10k, and half 03 True Actinics.
With the halides I would change the whole PC set-up to true actinics - 03 Actinics - or whatever the manufactureers are calling them these days...definitaly the true actinics though that just create light in the 420nm range, and not the fake painted blue actinics that are not worth putting on your tank.
I probalby would not go with a 50/50 10k bulb, (basically a white light that is a weak alternative for halides...which you now have! Yes, I am jealous!) but would rather get the purple / blue effect of the true 03 actinics for the dawn / dusk simulation.
Stewart
 
ctgretzky9

ctgretzky9

Member
smarls,
lol...you dont have to be jealous. Tank has been up 2 years and I'm finally getting them now that I'm a little more interested in it as other than a decoration for the living room.
I have only had polyps and zoos for 2 years, I want to start makig the tank a little nicer now with some diversity.
Thanks for the input! I will definately not put in 50/50 10k, once you said that I realized that it's the same light as the halides duh.
Im going to the hardware store tommorrow with the kids to pick up the parts to hang it. Can't wait!
One thing...I never realized the ballast was such a box itself! Does that box get hot?
 
ctgretzky9

ctgretzky9

Member
Well, after all of this discussion, I ended up only hanging the new halide fixture

I just simply couldn't fit both fixtures above the tank.
I assume this will still be ok. How many hours a day should it be left on? 250 watt spc metal hilde by coralife, 10k bulb, 60 hex tank
Thanks!
 
reefnut

reefnut

Active Member
I would end up at around 10hrs day but start out slow (like 5hrs a day or so) and bump it up every week or so, to give your tank time to adjust.
 
ctgretzky9

ctgretzky9

Member
thanks reefnut....lol...I already started at around 10 hrs...i didnt think of adjustment time!
I will cut them out when I get home and start a little more slowly...
And in your experience, because i really wanted the dusk to dawn but simply cant, will the halides by themselves be ok for the health of all the soft coral I have now, and the hard coral I plan on adding later?
Thanks!
 
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