Achilles Tang

250W radiums are very blue and have very low PAR. 400W Radiums are for whatever reason a different animal that the other wattages. While I haven't actually seen 250W version in action, I have heard the same comments as PJR. I have also seen the 150W DE 20K Radiums in person and way too blue. *Hey Tanzy... I found your thread in RC!*

Output Analysis: 150W 50000K Iwasaki Aqua Lamp & 150W 6500K Iwasaki ColorArc Lamp* http://www.coralreefecosystems.com/ltg_tec...put%20Analysis:

We experimented with a simlar setup on old 180g and found that you could visibly see the different colour temperatures, but the iwasaki was out front more in the lighting set-up so perhaps keeping the bulbs parallel to each other would help if you don't want to go messing with your reflectors. The trick we found is to mount both bulbs on the same reflector so that the colours blend together ( tin snips will be your friend )

Bulb colour comparisons http://www.coralreefecosystems.com/ltg_bulb_color.htm

Stony Coral Pigments, Algae Pigments and Captive Lighting http://www.reefs.org/library/talklog/s_tyr...ree_060202.html Very very very long article.... An interesting bit is here: As a basic guideline, strong light is typically achieved with the use of 400 watt halides. Intense light is typically achieved with the use of 1,000 watt halides. Weak and moderate light levels can be achieved with 175 to 250 watt metal halides and power compact fluorescents. Another: Q: Not lighting related, but how is stoney coloration affected by lots of nutrients in the water? Some gets more colorful, others get brownish?" A: Studies have shown that elevated levels of nitrogen (nitrate) can lead to increased density of zoox. This causes the coral to appear more brown. I have also noticed that if the physical environment is not correct (weak current ad inappropiate lighting) the pigments will also fade. That was 'coral pigments' will fade. Q: What are your thoughts on the usable lifetime on the higher kelvin bulbs? Current thought is that the Iwasaki's are usable for 12-18 months whereas the higher kelvin bulbs need to be replaced every 6-9 months. Do you believe this to be the case? A: That is true if you maintain a constant photoperiod throughout the lifetime of the bulb. When using Super Blue bulbs I recommend an initial photoperiod from 6 to 8 hours that is slowly increased to 11 to 13 hours by the end of the year. That will get you 1 years worth of use from the Super Blues.

http://www.animalnetwork.com/fish2/aqfm/19...8/june/product/ An Inexpensive Light Meter and Its Application to Reefkeeping by Richard Harker.

20k's are noted for the coloration they produce in captive corals. 6500k's are great for growth.This is my personal finding as well as the result obtained by other reef aquarists that I know of. We are beginning to see hobbyists combine the two different lamps to get the best of both worlds.

According to Sanjay Joshi and Dave Morgan's research,the PFO and Blueline ballasts drive the Radium 400w lamp almost identically in regards to output and spectrum.{The PFO has a higher power consumption and current draw.}Both of these ballasts produce more than a 20% difference in light output when compared to a Magnetic ballast. They go on to conclude there is no significant differences in spectrum or output among the ballasts when powering up the Iwasaki 400watt lamp.

Hello everyone, Seems like there is a lot of interest building on the different lightings used in reef tanks and for many of us, it is a very confusing and technical subject. With the trend towards building our own DIY units, it would be prudent to sieve out as much nuggets of info as possible to help our reef club members. So post away!

Link to plans on how to build a DIY MH Here's a direct link to a site that shows you how to do it. If any of you are able to come up with a similar documentation, pls post it. Much appreciated!!

Hi all, After evaluating my tank size (5.3 x 3 ft wide) vs my current lights (above pendant)... I realise that I may need to upgrade as the light spread isn't enough to cover the extra 1 foot width. Therefore I intend to sell my AB Aqualine Aquasunlight HID pendant at best price $1800. This unit is new but a little banged up (scratches) but fully functional. Got it from Aquatechnics so the 1 year warranty is still there. Listed Price is $2580. The unit incorporates: 2 x 150watt HID lights (BLV 10,000k 2 mths old only) 2 x 30 watt Actinic 03 FL lights (2 mths old only) 1 x moonlight Built-in digital clock and timer, controller for 2 channels (HID and actinics). The unit is well built, black colour, silver trim. Suspended via steel cables to anchor hooks in ceiling. Gives a crisp white colour with a tint of blue from HIDs and with the FL actinics, for a dawn/dusk effect is excellent. (Honestly, other pendant models that comes with PL lights is not as good this one with FL lights as the actinic spread is dimmer and not over a large area as with FL lights). For a 4 to 6 ft length (no prob as the unit allows you to slide the individual HID lights to your desired position) and 2 to 2.5 ft width... this unit is excellent. Sadly, I think I have to let this go as I will forsee I will need to get at least 4 - 5 MHs to provide the light spread I need. I can't wait to see my electrical bills. Interested? Pls PM me.

Shhhhh....!!!!!!!

Well, if you asked me... The reeftec design is the most professional and well-done DIY job. I brought it down to 2 acrylic shops and guess what? They say for the amount of hand work to produce it they will charge MORE than what I paid for it!!! Surprising isn't it? So it could be worth the money after all... to import it. You can try the other DIY reeftec designs..

Nivlac, It's a bit too late to remind you... but you should know better than to put angelfishes, even the dwarf variety, with your prized corals. Angelfishes are primarily coral-obligates and persistent peckers.... brains and clams are their favs. Unless you have 100% trust.... in your particular dwarf angel.. I would suggest you refrain from buying more corals... or remove it. No guarantees that this episode will be repeated. Ok... try this solution. Go buy the Seachem Reef Dip Coral Disinfectant. Dip your coral to prevent any infection. Put it in the sump and hope it'll recover. Feed it to speed up the process. Good luck bro!

Aiyah.. I was just kidding lah! Member #1 was an administrator name.... I haven't decided on my AT name yet then... but it was silly to be known as Admin right? Anyway, #1 has been deleted.... so I am theoretically #1! Heh! Ok ok... mystery solved!

Robe, I doubt if the reflector you mentioned is as multi-faceted as the ones you see at our hardware shops... although mirror finish, they are at most bend at two angles only. Unless you have the exact dimensions for a Spiderlight reflector, then maybe you can rebend/bend extra facets into your own DIY Spiderlight.... maybe you can ask Alvy for more details... Alvy... over to you...

My wife! It's my way to show her she's the most important thing next to my reef tank!

GRRRRR!!! My wife's friend changed her mind at the last minute last week!!!!!!!!! The empty tank, sump and stand is still sitting in my hall!!!! LELONG! LELONG!!! $250!!!! Before I get angry and break it to pieces for the scrapyard!

OMG!

Your england so powderful, I no understand....

Invite her loh! Tell her a lot of hunky handsome dudes will be there.... Only thing is that they will be all ogling stuff that produces slime and mucus, eat and poop lots, and smells fishy. It's a tank-warming party lah!! My house is already moved in for 3 years already! AND I didn't pervert the thread... others did! SO THERE! <_< AT

Unless Alvy can come up with his DIY Spiderlight reflector soon.... I'll point you to a cheap source of MH reflectors http://www.hellolights.com/methalparref.html US$30!

Yeah... I am also waiting to accumulate enough acros to warrant a 180% increase in my MH wattage. Actually I am under some sort of pressure from other members (u know who you are!) who want me to join their league of high wattage MHs! Wife will kill me when the electric bill comes! Soon soon... if someone is willing to take over my AB Aquasunlight pendant for at least $1600! Comes with 2 x 150watt HID, 2 x FL actinics, 1 x moonlight, 1 x digital timer. It's a new unit, barely 2 mths old.

Wow as in the heat produced in such a unit for a small tank. Give you a tip: Spiderlights cost a lot more. Get the PFO Optimum reflector that's practically the same thing, half the price. Actually, if you have the time to DIY... it will be much cheaper to do it locally.

WoW! For a 2 ft, that unit will give you instant steamboat dinner! It comes with a small fan right? Did they give an indication of its weight? It's just one mogul bulb included? Don't forget they use a different AC from us... or you need a transformer!