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saaid

saaid

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Hey peeps, been reading the threads on lighting but didn't get the answer I'm looking for so now you guys and gals so help me on this one.

I just changed my hood using aluminium channels sprayed white. Now with the space it offers I can load up with 12 T5's but I will be using 39W. Center channel is reversed so it sits lower than the outside two.

I have the following:

* 4 - 10 000k white
* 3 - coral blue
* 2 - aqua pink
* 2 - power glo (reddish)
* 2 - coral stars (blue)

In my mind I'm leaning toward using 10 of them.

So which would work/look best? I have a rather mixed reef.

Regards,;)
 
What corals are you keeping? What are the tank dimensions?
That seems like a mix of brand of lights you have?
 
Its 1200 x 500 x 500. Yes they are, Reeftek, Sylvinia, Giessman. Have softies, some sps and lps.
 
When you are reffering to mixed reef are you talking about a more dominant LPS system with softies and a piece or 2 of sps or more of an equal of all? I would say 8 to 10 light are more then enough to keep most of the corals you want, just make sure the globes are good make and you won't have any troubles. If you want a nice blue tint to the water but not to extreme and some nice growth I would suggest (if you want 10) 4 10000K, 3 14000K, 2 coral blue and 1 actinic. Try to position the 10000K in the middle above where most the corals are and then arrange the blue's around them.
 
that seems perfect for your tank, i run only 8
its all about preference, the 10k and lower are for growth, the more blue the better colouring you will achieve
* 4 - 10 000k white
* 3 - coral blue
* 2 - aqua pink
* 2 - power glo (reddish)
* 2 - coral stars (blue)
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is the tank one side viewable? if so i would put then is this order
------front--------
blue
pink
power glow
10k
10k
pink
10k
power glo
10k
blue
 
Why did you sray the aluminium white?
On a tank that depth, with a mixed reef, id think using ten might be a bit of an overkill.
Rather use the better bulbs (giesmann), and you should get away with using six - just place your SPS higher up.
 
459b said:
Why did you sray the aluminium white?
Click to expand...

Honestly, I felt it looked a bit dense.

dallasg said:
its all about preference, the 10k and lower are for growth, the more blue the better colouring you will achieve
Click to expand...

That is the idea which is why 10 39w leaves room for more spectral options?

Will mix it up tonight and take some pics.

Thanks ;)
 
oceanseeker said:
Agree with @459b, I think 3 whites + 3 Actinics would be more than adequate
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I understand, but I have been there. Changed my lighting thrice since I started out.

Some corals I just wish to bring to life and look more vibrant.
 
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saaid said:
I understand, but I have been there. Changed my lighting thrice since I started out. Some corals I just wish to bring to life and look more vibrant.
Click to expand...

theres more to making corals vibrant than just lighting. If your other parameters arent in check it doesnt matter how much light you give them, they wont colour up.
Instead of running twelve cheap lights, your corals (and electricity bill) will be alot happier if you run fewer better bulbs.
 
LOL, where you fall out telling me I have 12 cheap lights? You never purchased them and you sure as hell dont pay my bills.

Then, i wont be running 12 but 10. My lighting is rather crisp at the moment and wish to add more of hue to it. Nothing to do with coloring up,they not bleached dude.

I will be in Cape Town come month maybe we can meet up and tell me to my face about my cheap lights!!!!
 
saaid said:
Honestly, I felt it looked a bit dense.



That is the idea which is why 10 39w leaves room for more spectral options?

Will mix it up tonight and take some pics.

Thanks ;)
Click to expand...
mix it up :)
the aqua-pink are expensive but i love the effect they give
 
saaid said:
LOL, where you fall out telling me I have 12 cheap lights? You never purchased them and you sure as hell dont pay my bills. Then, i wont be running 12 but 10. My lighting is rather crisp at the moment and wish to add more of hue to it. Nothing to do with coloring up,they not bleached dude. I will be in Cape Town come month maybe we can meet up and tell me to my face about my cheap lights!!!!
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That tone is not appreciated.
Sylvania and reeftek at the cheaper brand of bulb.
 
Not interested in knowing about tones, this is not band camp.

First off, I asked about lighting. Never asked you to give your 2c about the cost there-of. What is cheap anyway?

The two Hagen Powerglo cost me R720, the two Giessman cost me R680 and the rest were about R120 each.

459b said:
Sylvania and reeftek at the cheaper brand of bulb.
Click to expand...
Should of said this first up.

Think about what you say and how you say it.
 
saaid said:
Not interested in knowing about tones, this is not band camp.

First off, I asked about lighting. Never asked you to give your 2c about the cost there-of. What is cheap anyway?

The two Hagen Powerglo cost me R720, the two Giessman cost me R680 and the rest were about R120 each.

Should of said this first up.

Think about what you say and how you say it.
Click to expand...

Relax bud , no need to go aggro on us :)
 
ok, so a mis-understanding of words, nothing new to MASA, i should know being a non skimming activist a while back...

let focus on the Questions and bury the hatchet
 
Reeftek is cheap. It provide less PAR than 6 months old AquaMedic tubes. and Gieseman is deemed better than Aquamedic

Playing with PAR reader. - Marine Aquariums of South Africa

459b is correct. With 6 good quality tubes you could get more light down to the coral compared to 12 low quality tubes. Plus you got less heat on your tank. More space open in the canopy. Tank running too hot and you need to invest in a chiller plus its running cost.

so "cheap" is not the only thing to look out for.
 
the only tubes i would replace in time are the reeftek, all others will last over 12months
reefteks 6-8months

not fun arguing with a mod :)
 
saaid said:
Not interested in knowing about tones, this is not band camp.

First off, I asked about lighting. Never asked you to give your 2c about the cost there-of. What is cheap anyway?

The two Hagen Powerglo cost me R720, the two Giessman cost me R680 and the rest were about R120 each.

Should of said this first up.

Think about what you say and how you say it.
Click to expand...

@saaid

by posting a question on an open form you must be prepared to hear other peoples opinions, you dont necessarily need to like them or implement them but they are entitled to their say as much as you are.

please lets stick to the matter at hand. your lighting

personally i think a mixture of 6 tubes of a med to higher quality (known quality eg guissemann, KZ or AM) are going to give you a better effect than "cheaper" bulbs

being reefteck, osram etc etc..

i personally mix it between med priced /quality to high priced / quality to get the best of both worlds..

that tank is pretty shallow.. as for electricity saving you could stagger when the tubes come on to benefit from a fully lit tank in the hours that you are home in the eveniongs and taper off till ligghts out.. there is more than one way to skin a cat :)
 
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