Readingexcalibur
Aquarium Advice Addict
What size bulb (watt) would you recommend for a 30g 30inch sea clear acrylic tank? I was thinking a 150w MH pendant lamp. I usually use LEDs, but wanted to try a MH lamp. Heard you can achieve better colors.
reefrunner69 said:I would go with a 150 or 175 watt to start, keepin in mind the outer edges of the tank will need lower light corals.
reefrunner69 said:And I have a 250w on a 20 long, doesn't mean I would recommend others do it. That's also why I said to start
Readingexcalibur said:This is the kit I was thinking. I had and LED setup on another tank and pretty much bleached a lot of corals, so for this new tank, I wanted to try something deferent.
http://www.aquatraders.com/24-inch-Metal-Halide-System-p/54243.htm
danbstrong said:Why would you not reccomend them if your using them?
reefrunner69 said:Because what I recommended is the appropriate size, without knowing how well they maintain their tanks, or if they are already having nuisance algae issues it would be irresponsible of me to recommend overkill.
I had great success with a 175w mh over this tank and upgraded so I could ensure that the amount of light on my tank would not be a limiting factor.
Readingexcalibur said:What about temperature? I do like the blue look and was considering a 20k bulb.
The reason I liked the 150w bulb is its ease of finding a replacement quick, I don't see any 175w for sale here.
danbstrong said:20k does have a bluer tint but you will get little to no growth out of your coral thats why i reccommend phoenix 14k bulb this bulb does have somewhat of a blue tint supplement it with actinics youll get coral growth and good color
This is my aquarium with phoenix 14k 250w reefbrite actinics
danbstrong said:20k does have a bluer tint but you will get little to no growth out of your coral thats why i reccommend phoenix 14k bulb this bulb does have somewhat of a blue tint supplement it with actinics youll get coral growth and good color
This is my aquarium with phoenix 14k 250w reefbrite actinics
Readingexcalibur said:Just curious, do you know why I would see less growth based on the color of the bulb? I thought corals like the blue spectrum more. Just curious, I may with the 14k if that is the case.