cuteios Posted December 30, 2003 Share Posted December 30, 2003 Well my tank has been up for a couple of months now and I just recently upgraded lighting from a single 18Watt bulb to 2x18W 6400K PC and 1 10W Actinic. But for some reason it still looks like I don't have enough. Does anyone have an idea how I can increase the lighting? I was really under the impression that 9W per gallon was already sufficient lighting Link to comment
serjuanca88 Posted December 30, 2003 Share Posted December 30, 2003 You could get a 70w MH. Link to comment
Jeff D2 Posted December 30, 2003 Share Posted December 30, 2003 Are the 18 watt bulbs power compacts, or normal output? If they are Normals it might not be enough, Power Compacts have a much higher lumen output than standard NO bulbs. Jeff Link to comment
USFnano Posted December 30, 2003 Share Posted December 30, 2003 I'll be putting a 70 watt MH on my 5.5 gallon as soon as my ballast gets here and I order a bulb Jon Link to comment
jocole37 Posted December 31, 2003 Share Posted December 31, 2003 yeah you could do the 70w mh, but i think what you have now will be enough depending on what you want to keep, most softies, shroom, zoos will do fine under that light, for most sps and clams youll be needing the mh. Link to comment
bamann345 Posted December 31, 2003 Share Posted December 31, 2003 I just put a 70 watt MH and 2x13 watt actinics on a 5.5 and it glows. It is very very bright! Link to comment
willmsbrg Posted December 31, 2003 Share Posted December 31, 2003 I just set-up a 5.5 with a mini 2/9watt PC light.. I am curious how everyone mounts their Pc's as the length is 16 inches ( I think) Link to comment
maverick Posted December 31, 2003 Share Posted December 31, 2003 i am running 2-19w 6500k, 2-10w 50/50 and 2-13w 03 and it really has a nice blue color and it is not near as hot as mh. Link to comment
bamann345 Posted December 31, 2003 Share Posted December 31, 2003 I have my 13 watt actinics end to end..it is a little tight but not horrible Link to comment
cuteios Posted January 5, 2004 Author Share Posted January 5, 2004 Hi guys, Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm using two 18W PC bulbs in there, their the socket type. I know I have to change them more often but you just can't beat the price. My Actinic isn't a PC bulb though it's a normal florescent bulb. That might be the reason it doesn't seem to be as bright as I've expected. I just don't want to add anymore light right now as I am having some major problems with heat buildup. Link to comment
maroonclown Posted January 5, 2004 Share Posted January 5, 2004 Originally posted by maverick i am running 2-19w 6500k, 2-10w 50/50 and 2-13w 03 and it really has a nice blue color and it is not near as hot as mh. MH is better light. And believe it or not, they are just as hot as MH, they just spread the heat more evenly than a halide bulb. Go with MH, you won't regret it. Link to comment
cuteios Posted January 5, 2004 Author Share Posted January 5, 2004 The thing is I don't even know where to begin to look for MH bulb around here. it's not like I could just drive to the nearest Home depot or something...online purchases are out of the question for little old me too. I'm stuck in a nice little spot where the livestock is dirt cheap but the equiptment is hard to come by. Link to comment
maverick Posted January 18, 2004 Share Posted January 18, 2004 I agree totaly with Maroon that MH is the way to go. But if you are looking for cheap I did all mine for about 1/2 as much as even the cheapest diy MH set up. Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.