bulb question

PhilOlsen · 10-29-2006, 07:45 PM

I have a 110 w compact and am using it on a 38 I just set up and will eventually be a reef tank, my question is which bulbs are best for this? I found bulbs where 1 of the tubes is day light and the other actinic or would I be better with just daylights? It currently has 50/50 and I really dont like the look at all.

billyr98 · 10-29-2006, 07:54 PM

What part of the look don't you like? Too blue or something else?

PhilOlsen · 10-29-2006, 08:07 PM

I dont like the total blue look, I dont think it shows the colors of fish, coral, rock etc. well, at least for my taste.

PhilOlsen · 10-29-2006, 08:09 PM

I have true actinics in my 55, but it also has 2 12000 k daylights so they work well together, alone, the actinics just dont show off the other colors in the tank. The 50/50 are a little better but still too blue.

billyr98 · 10-29-2006, 09:05 PM

well i am trying to figure out your light... do you have two 55w bulbs in this 110w light?

if so.. why not try a 55w Smartlamp (half actinic/half daylight) and a 55w 10k bulb.. that would be nice light- not too blue either..

PhilOlsen · 10-29-2006, 10:43 PM

Yes, it has 2 bulbs. Those are the type I was thinking about for both bulbs. Since it takes 2 bulbs to span the fixture end to end, I was thinking about using the combo bulbs for both. I was wondering how they are for coral as I am planning on making this a reef tank. I have had fowlers for years and this will be my first reef.

billyr98 · 10-30-2006, 06:06 AM

since you already have the fixture it will be fine to go with 50/50 bulbs... but me personally I think PC bulbs stink for corals... VHO, T5HO, Metal Halides are the best.. But we aren't going there right now

So go with the 50/50 bulbs for the color and to make your reef happy..

What kind of corals are you thinking about getting?

PhilOlsen · 10-30-2006, 06:53 AM

Still unsure, I will prob. get some polyps and mushrooms to start, then maybe a brain and a anenome with a mated pair of clowns as the conditions are more stabilized, prob. some other easy to care for ones after that. Any suggestions on what will be easy to care for or what to stay away from?

BoomerD · 10-30-2006, 10:53 AM

You're going to need a LOT more light if you want to keep brain corals or anemones, and your tank is still too young to add an anemone. Wait till it's 1 yr old for the health of the anemone.

billyr98 · 10-30-2006, 03:49 PM

There are some really nice MH/PC light kits out there too... But to get going, go with some zoas and mushrooms with your PC lighting and then you can upgrade..

10-29-2006, 07:45 PM	#1 (permalink)
PhilOlsen Has been struck by the ban stick Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Glendale Hts. Illinois (Chicago transplant to humor my wife) Posts: 646 View Gallery Karma Komment	bulb question I have a 110 w compact and am using it on a 38 I just set up and will eventually be a reef tank, my question is which bulbs are best for this? I found bulbs where 1 of the tubes is day light and the other actinic or would I be better with just daylights? It currently has 50/50 and I really dont like the look at all.

10-29-2006, 07:54 PM	#2 (permalink)
billyr98 Reefing Addict Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Cherry Hill, NJ Posts: 5,400 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: bulb question What part of the look don't you like? Too blue or something else? __________________ Billyr98 -=NJRC Treasurer=- My 450g Reef Tank ~~~ Its HERE!!!

10-29-2006, 08:07 PM	#3 (permalink)
PhilOlsen Has been struck by the ban stick Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Glendale Hts. Illinois (Chicago transplant to humor my wife) Posts: 646 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: bulb question I dont like the total blue look, I dont think it shows the colors of fish, coral, rock etc. well, at least for my taste.

10-29-2006, 08:09 PM	#4 (permalink)
PhilOlsen Has been struck by the ban stick Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Glendale Hts. Illinois (Chicago transplant to humor my wife) Posts: 646 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: bulb question I have true actinics in my 55, but it also has 2 12000 k daylights so they work well together, alone, the actinics just dont show off the other colors in the tank. The 50/50 are a little better but still too blue.

10-29-2006, 09:05 PM	#5 (permalink)
billyr98 Reefing Addict Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Cherry Hill, NJ Posts: 5,400 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: bulb question well i am trying to figure out your light... do you have two 55w bulbs in this 110w light? if so.. why not try a 55w Smartlamp (half actinic/half daylight) and a 55w 10k bulb.. that would be nice light- not too blue either.. __________________ Billyr98 -=NJRC Treasurer=- My 450g Reef Tank ~~~ Its HERE!!!

10-29-2006, 10:43 PM	#6 (permalink)
PhilOlsen Has been struck by the ban stick Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Glendale Hts. Illinois (Chicago transplant to humor my wife) Posts: 646 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: bulb question Yes, it has 2 bulbs. Those are the type I was thinking about for both bulbs. Since it takes 2 bulbs to span the fixture end to end, I was thinking about using the combo bulbs for both. I was wondering how they are for coral as I am planning on making this a reef tank. I have had fowlers for years and this will be my first reef.

10-30-2006, 06:06 AM	#7 (permalink)
billyr98 Reefing Addict Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Cherry Hill, NJ Posts: 5,400 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: bulb question since you already have the fixture it will be fine to go with 50/50 bulbs... but me personally I think PC bulbs stink for corals... VHO, T5HO, Metal Halides are the best.. But we aren't going there right now So go with the 50/50 bulbs for the color and to make your reef happy.. What kind of corals are you thinking about getting? __________________ Billyr98 -=NJRC Treasurer=- My 450g Reef Tank ~~~ Its HERE!!!

10-30-2006, 06:53 AM	#8 (permalink)
PhilOlsen Has been struck by the ban stick Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Glendale Hts. Illinois (Chicago transplant to humor my wife) Posts: 646 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: bulb question Still unsure, I will prob. get some polyps and mushrooms to start, then maybe a brain and a anenome with a mated pair of clowns as the conditions are more stabilized, prob. some other easy to care for ones after that. Any suggestions on what will be easy to care for or what to stay away from?

10-30-2006, 10:53 AM	#9 (permalink)
BoomerD Reef Shark Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 5,637 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: bulb question You're going to need a LOT more light if you want to keep brain corals or anemones, and your tank is still too young to add an anemone. Wait till it's 1 yr old for the health of the anemone. __________________ Intelligence is not knowing all the answers, but knowing where and how to find them! www.google.com

10-30-2006, 03:49 PM	#10 (permalink)
billyr98 Reefing Addict Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Cherry Hill, NJ Posts: 5,400 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: bulb question There are some really nice MH/PC light kits out there too... But to get going, go with some zoas and mushrooms with your PC lighting and then you can upgrade.. __________________ Billyr98 -=NJRC Treasurer=- My 450g Reef Tank ~~~ Its HERE!!!

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