Just modified my Current USA lighht fixture

[wwashowi]

The Lunar orbit fixture comes with 150's. I wanted MORE!! So I gutted it and put in 400's!

Now I trying to figure out what color bulbs to use.
On the left is 10K, on the right is 20K..

Which color do you prefer? Or like me wnat both, so I am leaning towards 14K's

Todd

I personally ran 400w 20000k XMs bulbs (no actinic) for almost a year and never liked the heavy blue. I also ran 400w 10000k Ushio bulbs (w/ 2-110w actinic VHOs) for a year and didn't like the yellow the Ushio's put out. I ran 10000k XMs (w/ 2-110w actinic VHOs) for a year and liked them the best of all. IMO even w/o actinic's the 10000k XM's look good.

The 10000k XM has one of the best PAR ratings of all 10000k MHs so they are a good choice... if you like the color.

Stay away from the 15000k XMs... they have a low PAR rating... even lower than the 20000k XM.

[gman0526]

The thing is that if this bulbs are not burnt in, you would make an estimated guess. The 20k's will eventually get whiter and the 10 k's might become more yellow. In this particular picture i like the 10k's better and like Travis said take into account the PAR you will be loosing with higher K rated bulbs.

[Doctor_Reef]

I personally like the 14K or 15K bulbs..... I run the 14K on my system without actinics and really like the way it looks....Just a suggestion!!! :)

[wwashowi]

This is true. I definitly do not like the 10K look. I have 260w of daul atenics but it is just toodang white and yellow for my tastes. I hear what you guys say about the par rating. 20K;s I liked at first. and the greens in the corals really stand out, but I lose the reds and purples.

I do not have 14K's but and going to try them trhis week to see what they look like.

Really I just want to maintain the corals and not really grow. I have no room if the grow!

TW

[Sugar Magnolia]

Phoenix 14K. ;) I've been running one this year and love the color. It's got a nice crisp white/blue balance.

[newtofish]

I agree with SM I love the 400w Phoenix 14k. That is what I run. The 20k looks like Papa Smurf peed in your tank and the 10k turned yellow on me. My vote is the 14k.
Your tank looks good!

[gman0526]

The 20k looks like Papa Smurf peed in your tank...

Classic!!! :biggrin:

[wwashowi]

14k's going in tonight. Forgot to mention, take a look at the live rock stuck on the left side glass!! I cut a piece flat at glued a Tunze magnet in a groove in the rock!!

Wola!! instant coral shelf.. I am going the build 2 more and stick on the back wall as well

Todd

[gman0526]

That would look sweet!! nice idea Todd.

[jman785]

Hamilton 14k's are my preference :)

[newtofish]

Forgot to mention, take a look at the live rock stuck on the left side glass!! I cut a piece flat at glued a Tunze magnet in a groove in the rock!!

Wola!! instant coral shelf.. I am going the build 2 more and stick on the back wall as well

Very cool, I was just about to ask you about that shelf! Do you have any pics of the process?

[Sugar Magnolia]

That is really cool Todd - great idea.

[wwashowi]

No pictures just spend $40 on a Tunze Magnet. Find a good piece of rock, Flat of course. Use your wet saw or like me I used my tile saw. Cut a flat back on the rock. Then mark the width of the Tunze on the rock and sart cutting the rock out in little sections for the depth of the Tunze. This will take a while cutting little slivers.

Then get some super glue and let it sit a while. Drink a few beers come back and fill in with am Aqua putty of something. Drink a couple more beers. Admire your work. Stick it on the Aqaurium. One more beer for that.

Done. Call your wife over to see what you did and tell here to bring a beer over when she comes over!! (just kidding) maybe?

Done.

The Washowich Tunze coral shelf is completed.

Todd

[wwashowi]

Oh yeah.. the Hamilton 14K's are in the fixture. Love the color SOOO much better. Also added another Tunze 6100 so now I have alternating currents in the tank for all to enjoy.

Pictures a little later.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

[wwashowi]

Shot from today. 14Ks doing great. been moving stuff around abit so its a little cloudy.

Todd

[gman0526]

Nice decoration :D . I do like this bulbs better too.

[coral_diver]

Gosh can you flip the lights around and take another pic for comparison LOL I think I like the 10K however without the flip side pic it is real tough since I love actenic lighting LOL either way you go I dont think you will be upset and next set of bulbs you could switch anyway .... I cant ever make a decision

[jman785]

I am in love with 14K's...ahhhhhhhhhh! ::drool::

Like the Christmas lights! :hohoho:

[Sugar Magnolia]

That looks great Todd! I LOVE my Phoenix 14K bulb. The Hamilton is pretty much the exact same color as the Phoenix bulbs. Love it, love it, love it!! Didn't you do lights on the tank last year too? My kids wanted me to do that to my tank. :lol:

[wwashowi]

Yes I did!!

My fishy's love Christmas. As long as they have been good all year they get mysis twice a day on Cristmas!!

HoHoHo

Santa Todd

[coral_diver]

Looks great! I think it was a good choice also. But really I am loving the festive lighting I think I would keep it year round LOL who needs moon lights!!!!