what to do with light???

[WatchinFish]

ok so my LFS said my light actualy arives on friday (of course not on wensday like previously was told).
so now my concern is the metal halides. i had read somewhere that all the halide bulbs shouldnt be the same intensity since different corals like different intensitys. any input on this matter? if its true what should the bulbs power be.(its a Current USA Outer Orbit Fixture, 3x250W HQI Metal Halide & 8X39W T5s, 72 inch so i can mix and match 3 halide bulbs).

[AQTCJAK]

I wouldn't. What is the color specturm you ordered 10K 14K 20K?

[BigAl07]

I don't know that I would mix & match on the MH's. That's getting kind of tricky because next you'll have to figure "Coral Placement" into the equatrion.

I have a similar fixture except smaller (Fixture envy here).

What I am doing is using high quality MH's in the 10k range and then mix & match on my T5's.

HTH

[BoomerD]

VERY FEW people use different bulbs over the same tank. Just go with the bulbs you like and adjust the corals in the tank for different lighting needs.

[prow]

different corals like different intensities, that is ture. but you place corals at different depths so they get different intensities.
i would not mix them, you can though. dont know if i would like the look though. are you thinking of mixing light demanding and not so light needy corals or something?

[WatchinFish]

Originally Posted by AQTCJAK

I wouldn't. What is the color specturm you ordered 10K 14K 20K?

its a 10 k

[BigAl07]

10k is a good growth type of bulb. It may or may not look kind of yellow just depends on the bulb and your own personal tastes. Wait till you get it and then you can "Tweak" the set up when it's time to replace the T5's.

[WatchinFish]

Originally Posted by prow

different corals like different intensities, that is ture. but you place corals at different depths so they get different intensities.
i would not mix them, you can though. dont know if i would like the look though. are you thinking of mixing light demanding and not so light needy corals or something?

well i just whanted to be abel to put anything in it without restrictions(over time of course). i personally need to do more research on corals cause i havent really made a list of what i want, but i would hate to want a sertain kind and have my LFS say i have to much light for that. is it even posible to have to much light??? i guess the ajusting the coral placement for light intensity makes sence thogh. ahhhhhhh. im over thinking this

[WatchinFish]

10k bulbs give off a yellowish tint???? oh no . ok well ima keep my fingers crossed.

[lcstorc]

I would (and do) use the same bulbs in the whole fixture. One time I had to replace just one and got the same kelvin but a different brand and even that drove me nuts. They are just all different and I didn't like the different color on part of the tank.
You can easily adjust the coral placement to have the lower light corals. Just put them on the bottom or even in a cave if they really need to be protected. I have never heard of too much light. You will want to acclimate your corals to the new light when you get it. I use several layers of window screen and remove one per week so the corals don't burn. I do this with new bulbs as well since they are brighter than the old bulbs.

[BoomerD]

Here's a link to give you an idea of what different bulbs look like over the same tank:

250Watt Bulb Comparison

You can use the arrows to change bulbs and see what a difference there can be, even in the same "Kelvin rating" (which is actually more of an estimate, rather than a real rating)

[BigAl07]

BD great link. I've been needing that one a LONG time!! Great link bro!!

[BoomerD]

Al, here's where those pics came from, complete with all the relevant ballast data, PAR ratings, etc.:
CnidarianReef: Lamp Tests

[BEELZEBOB]

Doode, quit relying on your LFS.

ask us geeks first

[WatchinFish]

Originally Posted by BoomerD

Here's a link to give you an idea of what different bulbs look like over the same tank:

250Watt Bulb Comparison

You can use the arrows to change bulbs and see what a difference there can be, even in the same "Kelvin rating" (which is actually more of an estimate, rather than a real rating)

wow awsome link.