Lighting Type

[jdizzle1000]

Ok, I've finally decided to buy some Metal Halide lights at aquatraders.com for my reef tank. I have 2 questions:

1. What color temperature of bulb should I have. I want my tank to look good, but I also want to provide the necessary light for my corals. I have 2 options: 10000K or 20000K, which do you suggest?

2. Is Odyssea (or anything from aquatraders) decent quality? I'm not looking for super grade stuff here, I'm just looking to buy something that works.

Thanks!

[mogurnda]

1. 10000 K will give more usable light per watt, but looks very white. You might want to think about adding actinics to bring out the fluorescent colors of the corals. If you have enough intensity, 20000 Ks will give excellent coral growth. One of the most spectacular SPS reefs I've seen around here was lit entirely with 20000 K halides. Too blue for my taste. 14000 K is a nice compromise.

2. Never used it.

[richtpe]

2. Is Odyssea (or anything from aquatraders) decent quality? I'm not looking for super grade stuff here, I'm just looking to buy something that works.


I've got a friend who recently purchased the 48" metal halide fixture with the actinic pc & moon lights. I haven't seen it, but he's extremely happy with it. I think he said that it comes with a 1 year warranty. Definitely a good deal. I'm not sure what temp bulbs he got.

[SirReal63]

Before you spend the money at aquatraders...you may want to read this thread...it may change your mind. With halides, you do get what you pay for. I have bought pc's from them before and I can assure you they are not high quality anything. I re-wired one of the fixtures I bought from them and replaced the ballast. They have no technical support ot customer service. The person that manages the place I think he calls himself Elvis told me flat out they do not offer customer service.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=689775