Metal Halide Pendants and Actinics?

[Bearfan]

I'm thinking about upgrading my lighting from a 4x65W PC to probably 2x250MH and actinics.

Now the question, how do you incorporate actinics in with MH pendants? A link to a fixture that does this well (mind you a pendant type due to the heat) would be appreciated.

 

[loganj]

Check this one out. It's pricey, but it'll give you an idea perhaps. It's the Blueline Sea Star Pendant about 1/2 way down the page.
http://www.championlighting.com/e/e....html?link=/Products/Lighting/mhpendants.html

 

[captivereefs]

Do you have a canopy over your tank? You could also do a Hamilton 4ft hood that has everything built in to one unit.

 

[Bearfan]

I don't have a canopy, and I want something further from the top so I don't have to worry as much about the heat and I don't have to move it constantly to do maintenance.

You have anything like that Darin? Link away!

 

[Bearfan]

Check this one out. It's pricey, but it'll give you an idea perhaps. It's the Blueline Sea Star Pendant about 1/2 way down the page.
http://www.championlighting.com/e/e....html?link=/Products/Lighting/mhpendants.html

Is 2x32W actinic even close to enough with a 400W MH?

 

[Bearfan]

Also, I just read a post from someone about 20K bulbs and not needing actinic...anything on this?

 

[ellisz]

I think bluer bulbs are all the rave right now Coral growth with 20k's is said to be slower though. I have been looking at 14k's myself. I worried that 20k's would be too blue. I had a LFS tell me I could try 20k's and use 10K suppliments if needed. It would be good to see one in person if possible.

You could always get a MH retro kit and just build a simple wood surround and hang it. I know a guy that did this with his 125. This might be cheaper.

 

[loganj]

You could always get a MH retro kit and just build a simple wood surround and hang it. I know a guy that did this with his 125. This might be cheaper.

I kinda like this idea too. You could even make it the length of the tank if you wanted. That would allow you to use any actinic bulbs you wanted to. The pendant I linked to probably isn't the best one...I thought maybe you were thinking about doing a DIY and wanted something to look at for ideas.

 

[captivereefs]

Bearfan check out the hoods under this link. There is also some nice pendants by coralvue as well. If you want to eliminate actincs the hamilton reefstar w/250 DE watt DE bulb would be perfect.

http://www.captivereefs.com/captivereefs/listcat1.asp?CatID=lt

 

[cmor1701d]

Bearfan,

One big reason for the actinics is the sunrise/sunset effect. Less stressful than midday sun to total blackness and back.

 

[captivereefs]

Plus the actinics look cool when they are on by themselves!