JonPM Posted October 10, 2004 Share Posted October 10, 2004 Ok. I've got my selection narrowed down, I just need some input from the pros... I decided I'm going to get the Aqua Medic Ocean Light pendant. I have a 12gal 18"H that I want to be able to keep coral, anemone, etc. First question is: Would 250W be overkill? On some sites, there's only like a $20 difference between the 150W and the 250W. Besides the higher eletricity bills, can the 250W hurt anything? Next question. Since this is going to be my only light source, would I need to get a 20,000K bulb? I like the look of the 10,000K, but I've read in several places that those aren't good enough if you want to keep corals. Another question. How heavy is this unit? I'm contemplating installing a shelf above my tank to hang it from. This is because I do not want to hang it all the way from the ceiling. Ok, last question. What's the difference between the 250W (or 150W) HQI 20,000K XDE and the 250W HQI 20,000K AquaMedic AB bulb? Thanks for any input! Link to comment
bladze Posted October 12, 2004 Share Posted October 12, 2004 1. Get the 250W and no it won't hurt anything 2. The lower "K", the more coral will grow. 20000K is for the look (bluer), the 10K is more like white. I like 14K. 3. I don't know wtf is XDE. HQI and DE is same meaing. Both for dual end bulb. AquaMedic AB is the brand of the bulb, it doesn't have any meaning like you is jon and I am bladze. I hope you get your answer. Link to comment
JonPM Posted October 12, 2004 Author Share Posted October 12, 2004 So then 20,000K would actually be bad for me since it would be my only light source? Cool, I like the 10,000K or the 13,000K look better. Anyone else? Link to comment
Doc Shake Posted October 12, 2004 Share Posted October 12, 2004 Dont hang a 250 watt halide over a 12 gallon tank, your water will boil and your power will jump like crazy. Get a 175 or 150. A 20000 k is a better bulb, it is more blue and blue is the key color in photosynthesis. Coralife makes a 150 HQI with a 20000k bulb and it is under three hundred bucks. Link to comment
JonPM Posted October 12, 2004 Author Share Posted October 12, 2004 I'm reading a couple different things. What color bulb is best for SPS, anemone, etc..? Link to comment
Doc Shake Posted October 12, 2004 Share Posted October 12, 2004 If you just have a halide, your best bet is a 20000k Link to comment
JonPM Posted October 13, 2004 Author Share Posted October 13, 2004 Does anyone think a 13000K would suffice? 20K seems a little too blue for me, but if i must then i will... Link to comment
cooldec2686 Posted October 13, 2004 Share Posted October 13, 2004 spectrum color is a matter of preferance, although yes they lower kelvin rating do tend to give better growth you will also have a higher propensity for algae blooms. Algaes prefer light in the redder ends of the spectrum which bulbs with lower kelvin ratings have more of. If you are using the halide as your only light source the yes i would agree with bladze that the 14K would be optimum and that that the option to go with a 20K bulb would only be recommended if you like the look because there doesn't seem to be much benefit to it at all. Link to comment
FateX9 Posted October 13, 2004 Share Posted October 13, 2004 ok wow first off if you want coral growth you want 6500K if you want neutral color get 10-13000K if you want blue get 20000K blue is NOT the key color in photosynthesis blue is only used to make things flouresce (glow) if you want more technical answers you might want to go to a bigger forum like reefsanctuary a 20000K bulb will be fine but they're not going to grow as fast as if you put them under a 6500K bulb some people actually use 6500K and pump up the actinics Link to comment
JonPM Posted October 13, 2004 Author Share Posted October 13, 2004 Cool, thanks guys, I'm gunna go with either the 10K or 14K Link to comment
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