Outer Orbit fixture question

[lpd154]

I just purchased an outer orbit dual 150 watt metal halide fixture with the moonlight LEDs. The fixture came with what I'm pretty sure is a 10,000K light on one side and a blue atinic on the other. I'm using this fixture on a 55 gallon reef tank. My question is since now my tank appears to be two different colors divide in the center should I keep the lights as they are or should I switch the bulbs so they are both the same and if so what would be the best bulb to go with to get the best growth out of my corals?

 

[scsinet]

It doesn't make any sense that they'd ship you a halide system with two different lamps, and halides don't come in actinic.
Since you don't appear to be sure, it's possible that the halides just need to burn in. Halide lamps don't settle into their proper color temperatures and output until you've put at least 100 or so hours on the lamps, and every lamp can look different during it's early hours.
I'd wait a week or so and see if it evens out.

 

[lpd154]

I forgot to mention earlier that this was a used fixture and it was used for about six months prior to my purchase. As for the lighting color one side has a very bright white light while the other side an obvious blue hue.

 

[scsinet]

Oh well if you bought it used... that could be the case.
Does the fixture have any supplemental fluorescent lamps?

 

[lpd154]

No the fixture doesn't but prior to this I was using an ice cap vho system with two 48 inch 110 watters. One daylight and one 464nm. Once I rebuild my hood I plan on using these lights in addition to the outer orbit fixture.

 

[scsinet]

Well in essence, if you are planning to eventually add back your fluorescent within a year, I'd go with a lower kelvin range lamp such as a 12K, and outfit your VHO system with Actinic 03 lamps to supplement.
However, if you are at least a year away, then I'd use 14-20K halides in your fixture. I do not run supplemental either of my reef tanks and both have halides. I use 20K lamps.
Halides need to be replaced about once a year, so if your fluorescent addin is still a year out, wait until your next lamp change, otherwise, do it right way.