sick of MH

[bailey52]

Ok i am sick of MH lighting, you read so much about it and think you know, but then when you have a question you dont! haha well anyway i hate to ask anyone about MH but here goes.. Im planning on buying 2 x 250 w 10k MH retrofit kit for my 90 gal. i dont know what other bulbs i will put on yet.. put i plan on haveing.. 8 watts gallon for now, maybe later add a third MH bulb.. but for now, nothing is in the tank tha needs light.. but for a start, will 2 250 MH bulbs be ok for basic corals?

 

[masala4080]

IMO, I would go with 2 - 400watt MH, look on that famous action site. Or if not, supplement with PC lighting like actinics. On there, you will see its not a whole lot more expensive between the two. But yes, you can keep basic corals. And I know how you feel about being sick of them.

 

[bailey52]

well im in the process of going to pay for the 250's... well as i speak i just did, just ordered the 2 x 250 watt mh retrofit. My question now is what do you all think about what k value bulb should i use? whats the diff wit 10k- 20k? Thanks guys

 

[bdhough]

10k is closer to daylight while 20 will be bluer. And with 250 halides you can keep just about anything.

 

[masala4080]

bailey, did you use that famous auction site? Thats where I got mine, and it sounds very similiar. I went with the 1000K myself. Its more of a preferance though.

 

[thomas712]

I have 2 - 250 watt MH lighting. I have used 2 different 10k bulbs.
Ushio and the XM, both are very nice crisp white bulbs, I also use 440 watts of VHO with 2 actinic bulbs and 2 of the 50/50's.
I have seen a tank with 20k bulbs and I really don't like the look of them, very blue. I like blue but thats too much. Stick with the 10k and I don't think you'll be dissappointed.
Thomas

 

[thegrog]

If you think 20K is too blue, they make a 14,000K that is a very good color in my opinion. With that you won't need extra bulbs.
I think your tank is set with the 2x250w and with that you can keep pretty much any coral and most all anemones.

 

[bailey52]

Great thanks guys... exactly what I wanted to know. Well like i said i have bought the setup for 2 x 250w MH, (no bulbs yet) prob go with 10k, anyone know more about the 14k bulbs? Sounds interesting.. Anyway, If all I have is the MH bulbs so far, What else do you recomend I get? im guessing 2 NO bulbs would not be sufficient?

 

[nicky1.8t]

buy an ice cap 660. it is a vho setup, you could havr that come on before and after, the halides come on and go off. It will kind of simulate the sun going up , and setting. my bro runs 2x250 watt 10k, and 220 watts of vho, over a 72. The color looks great