• Light for the sea

  • Brian7092

Hello everyone!!! I know this question has been discussed 200 times already, but I've come to realize that each specific case has its own circumstances, so I need the opinion of aquarists in this particular situation. Here are the details: 1x150W MH + 2x24W T5 + 2x24W T5 + LEDs (moonlight). The aquarium dimensions are 600x600x650. The question is which lamps are better to use (temperature and manufacturer), and the second question is how to best organize the light cycle for starting... Thank you all very much in advance! I have an idea to do the following: 1 x Aqua Medic aqualine 16000 150W + 2 x T5, Aqua Medic Reef Blue 24W + 2 x T5, Aqua Medic Reef White 24W, 10000K. What do you think of this option? Or is it better to use the Aqua Medic aqualine 10000, 150W? Has anyone used it? Or is there a better manufacturer?

John3187

Not an expert, but everyone recommends ATI lamps. I got the following set for myself: BluePlus - 2 Aquablue - 2 PurplePlus - 1 Actinic - 1 All lamps are 80W, no MH and not planned. Aquarium 1700x600x600.

Rebecca

I would recommend the following: BluePlus - 2 Aquablue - 2 Actinic - 2 If there is not enough light, you need to add 2 more bulbs.

Matthew7977

The price of this Aqua Medic aqualine 10000, 150W bulb is greatly inflated; it is not worth that much money. If you want a good one, go for the REEFLUX 12K, and if you want a cheap one, you can use a Chinese one.

Brenda

I only have 4xT5 (2x2) - which ATI set is better then?

Stuart

I would recommend the following: BluePlus - 1 Aquablue - 1 BluePlus - 1 Actinic - 1 Although the blue ones would be better KZ or FAUNA MARIN.

Amanda5586

and how do I turn them on? Will I have paired activation?

Wesley

I wrote: 1 pair blue + white at the back 2 pair actinic + blue at the front

Brianna

I meant in terms of time (1st pair + 2nd pair + MG). And I have one last question. I actually prefer white light, not blue. Will there be too much blue? I'm not very knowledgeable about the sea - maybe I'll come to like blue later...

Stuart

It is still the sea, it should be blue, and the lighting of the corals is interesting; I would only keep the blue and actinic lights.

Bryan1851

Well, the blue color blurs everything in my opinion... while white highlights... Although I might be wrong in the long run. So what about the time factor?

Lauren

1st pair: from 9:00 to 21:00 2nd pair: from 10:00 to 20:00 MG from 12:00 to 18:00 This is for the start of the launch; after six months, it can be increased by 1 hour if needed.

Michael

Thank you for the advice - I will try ... the only problem is that I love bright white light, and as long as the metal halide is shining, I will be at work ... and pure blue is not to my liking at all ... I have seen it in aquarium centers and with ... pure blue is not for me ... I need white, maybe with a hint of blue ...

Ricardo7341

Then you need to set a dry riff. Sorry for the harshness. There is a biology that needs to be followed.

Angel2396

I'm not against blue - and I don't want dry. I was thinking of starting with 2 actinics, then adding 2 whites (in an hour or two), and then probably a 12K metal halide for the reef.

Michelle104

Aquablue is not a blue lamp, but rather a very white one. In the configuration that Max already suggested, it should be excellent, not blue at all, until you buy proper white MH lamps. At that point, you can replace the Aquablue either with Fuji from KZ or with another actinic; this needs to be selected individually. First switch-on: BluePlus - 1 Actinic - 1 Second: BluePlus - 1 Aquablue - 1

Kendra2262

What is your opinion on the lamps (manufacturer, temperature, or model)? As I mentioned, 3 stages: 1. 2xT5 24W 2. 2xT5 24W 3. 1xMH 150W

James8887

I wrote above, and even included an option, and the name of what is written is Ati lamps. I can't say anything about MG, I haven't had any.

Charles894

I didn't understand this phrase: until you buy normal white MH lamps, then you can replace it with Aquablue, or with Fuji from KZ, or with another actinic. If there is something better, why take that? And you didn't mention which MH you think is good?

Brooke

I reread it... now I understand that there is still no MH lamp... well, nothing changes anyway, if you love white, go ahead and use the list written above, there will be one white lamp there. And then you can change and try... I recommend buying not 4 lamps but two more different ones to have the option to change variations and adjust the light based on your own feelings. How many times we have changed, I've lost count...

Robert1845

I do not recommend Fuji from KZ, because if there were at least 6 T5s, then yes, but as it is, it will turn red. For one Aquablue, you need 2 BluePlus, as the white strongly blocks the blue, and to have at least some blue, you need this arrangement.

Heather9815

That’s why I suggested experimenting. Everyone's perception is different.

Katherine

Exactly. For me, a light blue is more appealing, and I miss the bunnies. That's why I ended up spending money on the corresponding MG.

Brian6895

The first thing to determine is the MG, as its share in the overall spectrum will be decisive. Next, one can decide what to use for additional lighting.

Steven

According to MG, Max recommended Reflux 12K - there are no other suggestions yet...

Ryan2281

How to calculate moonlight? There are LED strips 3x24 and 2x96 with dimensions 1250x400x500V (250L). What lamps should be installed if there is an option to install 6 lamps of 54 watts each? Maybe someone can help.

Jennifer9100

For Reflux 12K, it's better to use one of the T5 lights with red spectrum presence, while the rest can be actinics and blues.

Debra

What should be the height of the MG lamp above the water?

Cynthia6578

the best option is 20cm.

Danielle8118

The passport for the AM fixtures states 30 cm.

Reginald5073

Does Reflux 12k not yellow?

Christopher7213

I don't know yet... I'm waiting for when it arrives.

Erin

This lamp has a slightly bluish tint in the spectrum. Among all the metal halide lamps I have tried, the Reflux 12k is the most successful.

Tasha

I want to combine it with the ATi T5...

Adrienne

I just had a 10k, Chinese, it was yellowish, an unpleasant color. And there seems to be a small difference between 10 and 12. What justifies such a price for the reflux? Does it last longer or have a better effect on the growth and colors of corals?

Sarah

Slightly bluish, but not white. But for me, it's just right. Blue is then added with actinics and T5 blue lamps (I have ATI and Coralux). However, there is no yellow tint. 10k has a slight yellow tint, closer to white. 14k has a strong yellow tint (for example, BLV). 20k leans heavily towards blue, visually providing little light in the aquarium. One cannot trust the spectrum numbers of Chinese lamps at all; the only way to choose lamps is by trial and error.

David7773

Thank you, I will buy and let you know. Which T5 should I use? I have 24 watts, 4 pieces.

Kimberly

I have the following set: KORALLEN-ZUCHT Coral Light Fiji Purple - 1 piece "ATI" Blue Plus - 2 pieces "ATI" Actinic - 1 piece I like it.