tank downgrade

coralreefer

coralreefer

Active Member
Hi everybody,
 
I have decided to downsize my tank, as my free time and budget are both decreasing. Time for a fresh start. I currently have a 75 gallon standard with oceanic overflow and a 25 gallon sump. The tank I plan on getting is a cube about 30 gallons. I will get a custom overflow box and get holes drilled in the tank for the overflow. I plan on getting rid of all my fish except for my clownfish pair.
 
My question is, what metal halide wattage and kelvin rating should I get? the dt will be approximately 30 gallons, and as for the kelvin rating, I want my coral's colors to pop. i think 20,000k is on the bluer side of the spectrum? fans? Also Im new to MH so if anyone could give me any tips.....
 
Thanks
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by coralreefer http:///forum/thread/379889/tank-downgrade#post_3303707
Hi everybody,
 
I have decided to downsize my tank, as my free time and budget are both decreasing. Time for a fresh start. I currently have a 75 gallon standard with oceanic overflow and a 25 gallon sump. The tank I plan on getting is a cube about 30 gallons. I will get a custom overflow box and get holes drilled in the tank for the overflow. I plan on getting rid of all my fish except for my clownfish pair.
 
My question is, what metal halide wattage and kelvin rating should I get? the dt will be approximately 30 gallons, and as for the kelvin rating, I want my coral's colors to pop. i think 20,000k is on the bluer side of the spectrum? fans? Also Im new to MH so if anyone could give me any tips.....
 
Thanks

 
 
I run 14K and it's sooo blue. I can't imagin 20K it would look like actinic were on all the time...
 
 
pbnj

pbnj

Member
The question should really be "What is the best bulb/ballast combo for coral growth?".
 
spanko

spanko

Active Member
agree with the bulb ballast combination but for a general rule the lower kelvin bulbs will spur growth and the higher kelvin bulbs will enhance color.
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
10K is the best for growth, especially for SPS, but it can be very yellow. 14K is a nice common ground between too yellow and too blue. With 14K you'll still get decent growth, without the yellow tint, and still have some blue in there to make your corals pop. Some 14K bulbs are whiter than others.
I run 250watt halides, ice cap ballasts and XM and ReefLux 10K bulbs, the XM's are great for growth, but they give the tank a green/yellow hue, it looks hideous. The ReefLux aren't so bad, they have a crips white color to them.
In two other tanks I have 150 watt halides, both with Pheonix 14K bulbs. One tank has a blue background, and combined with the bulb color, the tank drowns in blue. The other tank has a black background and it's not so blue. Coralife 14K's are white, so it all depends.
 
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