Lighting/Metal Halide Q's

[08trdoffroad]

fleshy, the 99$ fixture is the 18". he would need the 36", its 159$ but it comes with a 250w mh.

u could go with a hanging pendant with a 150w phoenix 14k. no need fo actinics with that bulb.

Now when you are talking pheonix 14k. The 14k is the temperature color of the light, so I assume that Pheonix is the brand? I also assume the 14k temperature would produce enough blue spectrum light to support coral health. I like a slight blue look, but how blue are we talking with that bulb?

 

[mos90]

i noticed also about the 18" t5's. u would have to stock up from aquatraders.

yes, it is made by phoenix and is 14k in color temp. here is a pictures of 1.

 

[mos90]

here are some pictures of some other bulbs. these pictures are with no actinics.
1) coralview 10k
2) hamilton 14k
3) radium 20k
4) ushio 10k

 

[08trdoffroad]

Thanks for the pictures! I like the Pheonix, Hamilton, and Radium. I will definitely look into these! So with these bulbs they emit enough of the blue spectrum to eliminate the need for T5 supplimentation?

 

[mos90]

most of your 14k and 20k bulbs dont need actinic suppliment but some people like to anyways.

radium bulbs will be a little more white and brighter with a magnetic hqi ballast. thats why i ordered the hamilton fixture with their m81 mag ballast for my radium.

right now i have 12k leds and actinics on my tank.

as far as the phoenix and hamilton bulbs i dont think u need a special ballast.

 

[08trdoffroad]

Hmm, if only I could find some 18" T5's from another supplier...I would order two of those $99 fixtures and call it a day!

 

[mos90]

if u want to go that route just order 4 extra bulbs from aquatrader. i wouldnt use the radium bulbs with those fixtures. go with either hamilton or phoenix. the mh bulbs that came with that fixture may be decent also. i will fire my odyessa 18" fixture up tonight and see how the bulb looks, i just got it this morning.

 

[mos90]

read a few reviews on the odyssea fixtures. most say it pretty good. but most recommend replacing the odyssea bulbs more often.

 

[08trdoffroad]

if u want to go that route just order 4 extra bulbs from aquatrader. i wouldnt use the radium bulbs with those fixtures. go with either hamilton or phoenix. the mh bulbs that came with that fixture may be decent also. i will fire my odyessa 18" fixture up tonight and see how the bulb looks, i just got it this morning.

Definitely let me know your impression of the bulb that comes with it!

read a few reviews on the odyssea fixtures. most say it pretty good. but most recommend replacing the odyssea bulbs more often.

I plan on it, I still have a while before I absolutely have to have my lighting, last time I rushed it and ended up with a nice T5 Fixture, but always wished I had a MH.

 

[mos90]

there is nothing wrong with t5's. im not sure how they handle tanks over 20" deep though. or how well they can handle high light corals.

i will let u know if i like the odyessa fixture and bulbs.