What Can I keep with MH 20,000k bulbs?
 

Hey guys . . . I was thinking of getting another light fixture which consists of 2x150watt DE MH in 20,000K

Can I keep light demanding acro's (bali frags in particular) and maxima/crocea clams with these lights?? Anyone with 20,000k setup??

Thsnkd all . . .

PS. my tank dimensions are 36Lx12Wx14H

Sure, I have a bit of everthing, all is doing well. I noticed some acro frags that have changed color from brown to purple/blue with the 20k. Just keep in mind, the higher the K, usually means less PAR. If your tank is around 18-20" depth, I would not worry about it. (My opinion only!)

Walter

Do you have 150W DE Walter?
I was under the impression that anything less than 250W (in a mogal base)and most SPS would not show their true colors. Is this not the same with DE bulbs?

Keith

Re: What Can I keep with MH 20,000k bulbs?
 

Not sure about 150W
I have 400W on the left and 250W on the right SE bulbs + VHO, and all SPS are loving it ! The best purple and green I have ever seen .
The down side is that when you try to take a pics , the turn to be a LOT on the blue side because of 20K bulbs.
Some softies dont like it , like leather also LPS plate coral opoens up only at night in my tank,

I know some people with DE 150W and they say they would change for 250W for sure to get more light, however with only 12inch high tank you will be OK most defenately

Good question. I have a single 250w bulb so I can't answer that... But, I have seen people have great success with T5 lighting and SPS.

Walter

Okay my understanding is that you need higher wattage to make more light to compensate for depth, IE light just doesn't penetrate very deep into water. Blue light penetrates deepest so I'd assume 150 DE's would be excellent, especially seeing as you only have 14 inches of tank depth. I don't know what exactly you could keep with them but I can't imagine you'd have trouble with anything. You may want to consider 14,000k just to lower the blue appearance a bit.

Doug

You will probably be fine keeping any of those things with that lighting and only a 14" deep tank.

Thanks u guys . . .

I was just not sure . . . I thought 20,000K are too blue (I got told that u can't keep acro's or maxima's under 20,000K . . .

I could care less if my corals/clams grow slowly as I have a very small shallow tank so the slower growth the better! :mrgreen:

Anyhow... Before I buy it . . . (its a $700 light system so LMK more info!!)

Right now I have 1x250 watt DE 10,000K over my tank (36L x12W x14H) Very yellow-ish . . . Cant add actinics either (its the Reefstar from hamilton so its hanging and very cluttery looking)

At the moment I have some purple bali acro's, green slimer, tenius, tri color acro, purple cap, mille and tons of sps . . . oh and 2 maxima clams under 1x250watt DE 10,000k . . u guys think it'll be okay if I switched lighting and put them under 2x150watt DE 20,000k?? Mainly because I got told by a store that sps and maxima dont keep their colors under 20,000K . . . LMK u guys!! Thanks

I think you would be good to go. I keep acro's, clam and many other under 20k lighting... check out RC, I could not count the number of people that do. Up to you. :biggrin: Seems a little pricey to me?

Walter

for 700.00 I would buy another 250w ballast fixture and bulb DIY a Canopy with actinics then you could put a 20K bulb in the new fixture if you still thought it was too yellow
Just a thought