mdenny
Reefing newb
how can i get the shimmering in my tank i now use floresent lighting ??
shimmer
- Thread starter mdenny
- Start date
bjohanson1234
.........
flourecents dont shimmer as much as MH. I would think that switching to MH would be your only option. It might or might not be worth the switch. It is entirley up to you.
mdenny
Reefing newb
so there is nothing out there that i can add on besides mh maybe led
bjohanson1234
.........
Not to my knowledge. Someone else here might know of something
Brian
Brian
daugherty
part time reefer
led fixtures or mh lights will give you the shimmer beause they are like spot lights. floresent lights spread the light out more so you dont get that shimmer from them.
mdenny
Reefing newb
is there a low cost mh at lowes or home depot i think it is the ballest that cost so much right
dcantucson
Reef pro
My old LED fixture (PFO) didn't give near as much shimmer effect as my new MH fixture does.
mdenny
Reefing newb
so mh is what i need would 2 150 watt mh work 4 my 75 gallon tank and what color temp is best if i run actinics also
dcantucson
Reef pro
How deep is your tank?
daugherty
part time reefer
if it is a regular 75 than it is about 20 to 21in tall. i think a 150 will work but if you can get 250s that would be better.
Bifferwine
I am a girl
What kind of lights do you have right now? Unless you have crappy lights to start off with, I don't think that the shimmer in and of itself is a good enough reason to buy new lights. But, if you don't mind spending the money for what is to me a very unimportant and minor reason, then by all means, it's up to you!
dcantucson
Reef pro
+1 James + Biff
They are expensive!
They are expensive!
mdenny
Reefing newb
it is a 20 inch tank maybe a 175 trying to keep my power bill in check
mdenny
Reefing newb
my lighting is diy i have a 60 w 48in actinic 2 6500k 48in 40w 1 65w 10000k and 1 36in 20000k 40w it works but not really what i want i am on a budgit
Bifferwine
I am a girl
If you are on a budget, then MH is probably not the way to go. They are expensive. T5s are cheaper and better suited to the type of tank that you have, but T5s don't shimmer.
mdenny
Reefing newb
i know but i want my cake and i want to eat it 2 lol thank 4 all your help i will see what i can find
daugherty
part time reefer
i got my t5s from catalina aquariums it is the solar t5 with 8 bulbs for my 75
yote
In Memoriam
I dont know.After running halides for 5 months,I'm kinda starting to think that the shimmer as important to the looks of the tank as the corals are.:D But thats just based on looks.
T-5s look good and give the corals the light they need,just without the shimmer.
T-5s look good and give the corals the light they need,just without the shimmer.
dcantucson
Reef pro
Me too, yote. I love the shimmer effect on the ceiling at night. Lights up the whole room with shimmers. Looks very cool.
Look more into the LED option. LEDs are coming as their technology improves. They do give the shimmer, you might be surprised at the wattage you can put together and you don't need a lot of watts to get a lot of light. My lfs is switching out all fluorescents on the fish only tanks to LED. Figures to save hundreds every month.
I'm going to look at a combo with LED and moon lights for transition lighting.
I'm going to look at a combo with LED and moon lights for transition lighting.
