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Too much light/Not enough light??
Hi, currently I have (2) 250w 10k XM SE Metal Halight Bulbs operated on a Magnetic Ballest, along with (2)110w VHO Atentics. I personally think this is way way too yellow for me. I have had the MH bulbs since mabe January 2005, and one of the VHO's since then. The other VHO is a year old but I am running it anyways...dont ask why.
Anyways, I kinda want to switch out the 10k's for 20k's next year, BUT am afraid I will lose color(I want to keep the atentic VHO's also).
I broght some frags in to the LFS that I thought werent particularly pretty, but when put under the 400w 20k,s BAM!!!
Those colors popped like I cant even descripe...one coral was absolutely glowing, which looks drab IMO in my aquarium.
My tank is a 75 gallon, and I was wondering if it is possible to take out the 250 watters AND VHO's and install just (2) 400w 20k MH's only. (Electricity cant get too crazy.....)
Anyhow, can I do this? Or will this be too much for my 75 gallon, but even too much with 20k's? Is such a thing possible? The maximum I can put these bulbs above the water level is 15"...I will put them that high when acclamating the corals in the beginning...but another question arrises...will there be a significant increase in light brightness even when switching from 250 10k's to 400 20k's? I realize that there will be some intensity increase...how much? Will rising the bulbs 15" be enough for acclimating them in the beginning or will some eggcrage need to be used?
And also, do I need different bulb sockets for the 400w SE's or can the regular ones I have now be used?
All I would have to change is the ballast, and ofcourse the bulbs, right?
Last, is there anyone here who would want to trade two basically new(a few months old used) Magnetic 250w MH ballasts for two 400w SE bulb ballasts(ones that work well, ofcourse...not encrusted 1" deep with saltcreep for whatever reasons...)
Like I said, the acro's and monties I brought in absolutely popped under the 400w 20k lighting....not sure which brand of 20k though, I will have to ask.
Thanks...
Anyways, I kinda want to switch out the 10k's for 20k's next year, BUT am afraid I will lose color(I want to keep the atentic VHO's also).
I broght some frags in to the LFS that I thought werent particularly pretty, but when put under the 400w 20k,s BAM!!!
Those colors popped like I cant even descripe...one coral was absolutely glowing, which looks drab IMO in my aquarium.
My tank is a 75 gallon, and I was wondering if it is possible to take out the 250 watters AND VHO's and install just (2) 400w 20k MH's only. (Electricity cant get too crazy.....)
Anyhow, can I do this? Or will this be too much for my 75 gallon, but even too much with 20k's? Is such a thing possible? The maximum I can put these bulbs above the water level is 15"...I will put them that high when acclamating the corals in the beginning...but another question arrises...will there be a significant increase in light brightness even when switching from 250 10k's to 400 20k's? I realize that there will be some intensity increase...how much? Will rising the bulbs 15" be enough for acclimating them in the beginning or will some eggcrage need to be used?
And also, do I need different bulb sockets for the 400w SE's or can the regular ones I have now be used?
All I would have to change is the ballast, and ofcourse the bulbs, right?
Last, is there anyone here who would want to trade two basically new(a few months old used) Magnetic 250w MH ballasts for two 400w SE bulb ballasts(ones that work well, ofcourse...not encrusted 1" deep with saltcreep for whatever reasons...)
Like I said, the acro's and monties I brought in absolutely popped under the 400w 20k lighting....not sure which brand of 20k though, I will have to ask.
Thanks...
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