**** Major Lighting Questions ****

[Newbi_Damsel]

Hey, fairly new to reef tanks and i havemultiple questions....
Since were in lighting i wanted to knowwhen the spectrum of a MH bulb decreases over time, does it help to produce brown and green algea?

Also... If i were to keep just soft corals such as mushrooms, is it nessisary to go for a MH bulb in a higher kelvin? like 20k.... only because i see and read that people use multi bulbs, like one actinic light along with a 10k MH.... And BTW i have a 170w MH 10k running on a 30 gallon tank....

[graphixx]

that lighting that you have on your tank currently is just fine for soft coral. mushrooms and zooanthids for example will grow just fine under a PC light, they ae not as light demanding as your sps corals.

[Newbi_Damsel]

Ok, i figured... but my green striped mushrooms dont glow like they should... i know my light is old and needs to be replaced, but they look dull and red most of the time.... I want to liven them up to see the colorful aray that they produce....

[dakar]

To brighten up the coloring, get the fluorescing colors try adding a bit of actinic lighting... even just a single 55-65w Power Compact (actinics being in the 420-460nm range or Blue) will make a substantial change to the appearance.

Most average 12-14 months out of halide bulbs, and definitely as they age and shift spectrum you will likely see an increase in nuisance algaes and overall health of your coral may be adversely effected.

[Newbi_Damsel]

awsome, thnxs alot guys....

[davejnz]

U might try shading your shrooms a bit,175wMH is alot of light for most shrooms

[Newbi_Damsel]

Yah, their in the shade... no worries... and with the lighting, could i be fine with the atinics if i get a 20k bulb instead of buying another retro kit?

[davejnz]

175wMh is fine for your 30gal tank IMO.I would not use a 20k bulb with a 175wMH,they are very dim compared to a decent 10k bulb.If it were me,I'd add a pair of T5 flourescents to supplement your 175MH.A 2x39w T5 retro can be bought for $115.As for flourescent actinic bulbs,i prefer a T5blue(ATI blue,CV actinic) or a PC blue.The wavelength(450-460nm) of those bulbs really bring out some wicked colors IME

[Newbi_Damsel]

Awsome, ill really take that into consideration... Thnxs again

[davejnz]

BTW,i was researching some of the 175MH bulbs last night,most all of the commonly used 20k bulbs in the hobby have about 50% less PAR(useable light for phtosynthesis)than the 10k bulbs.If you tell me the ballast you have,I could give u a recommendation for a 175MH bulb that will perform the best on your specific ballast