MH's

[AquaGrizzly]

Which MH is the best for growth? I am looking to start a prop tank and want to get MH but don't know which bulb to get. 10k, 14k, or 20k? Any help would be appreciated. Also if there is a certain brand that is better than others as far as ballast and bulbs go.
Thanks,
Scott

[Dagrape]

Do a search for Sanjays Lighting web page. You can compare bulbs and ballasts at diferent wattages and K numbers. It is very usefull. For growth you wan a bulb with a high PAR number. on his site I think it is the PPFD?? number. Typically the lower the K number the higher the par. A 10000k or 6500K would be best for growth.

[Wiskey]

Originally Posted by Dagrape

Do a search for Sanjays Lighting web page. You can compare bulbs and ballasts at diferent wattages and K numbers. It is very usefull. For growth you wan a bulb with a high PAR number. on his site I think it is the PPFD?? number. Typically the lower the K number the higher the par. A 10000k or 6500K would be best for growth.

Very true! The sight is important because there are exceptions to every rule

XM10,00K actually beat 6,700K on most ballasts in the 250W range,.. but the real important question is "What wattage MH are we talking about?".

Whiskey

[AquaGrizzly]

Are those yellower in color. I like the blue but if that is the best than those shall be it. I'm going to look at the page but what is difference in Watts? Just more intensity? I see there are 150W ~ 400W.

[AquaGrizzly]

Not sure what wattage. I am going to use a rubbermaid 50 gal stock tank so the water depth is not a whole lot.

[Dagrape]

If you want to use this to be a propogation/growth set-up I would use 250W. 400 is just a tone of heat. And the lower K numbers will be more yelly, but again if you want growth that is what you want and the corals will respond to.

[Wiskey]

Originally Posted by Dagrape

If you want to use this to be a propogation/growth set-up I would use 250W. 400 is just a tone of heat. And the lower K numbers will be more yelly, but again if you want growth that is what you want and the corals will respond to.

I agree,.. I would also use 250.

And I would go with the XM10K,.. It's the bulb I use over my system and I find it to be a bright white not yellow:



Your taste in lighting may very, but this is what will give you great growth
Whiskey

[AquaGrizzly]

Just looking for growth. I just don't want it to be too yellow.

[AquaGrizzly]

Next question is where is the cheapest place to get everything? I am thinking a pendant since this will be in the garage.

[Wiskey]

Originally Posted by AquaGrizzly

Next question is where is the cheapest place to get everything? I am thinking a pendant since this will be in the garage.

I get all my MH stuff from Hellolights,.. You can save yourself a bunch of cash if you can use a retrofit kit.

I got an electronic ballast, reflector, XM10K bulb, and wire shipped to my door for about $205 for each lamp (my tank uses 3).

Whiskey

[Dagrape]

Originally Posted by Wiskey

I agree,.. I would also use 250.

And I would go with the XM10K,.. It's the bulb I use over my system and I find it to be a bright white not yellow:



Your taste in lighting may very, but this is what will give you great growth
Whiskey

I am glad you agree because everything i was saying was stuff I read and information I gathered primarily from you when I was choosing lighting for my 90.

[Wiskey]

Originally Posted by Dagrape

I am glad you agree because everything i was saying was stuff I read and information I gathered primarily from you when I was choosing lighting for my 90.

Well! It goes to show that my opinion hasn't changed

Whiskey