and i would ditch those bulbs (but keep them for backup bulbs) and go with 2x250w 10,000K Coralvue Reeflux bulbs.
Bobby, Had to buy text books for school for my daughter too. Funds for lighting is now pushed back! Can't wait any longer. I gotta move forward. Want to order the lights today on some plastic. You mentioned upgrading the bulbs with the Coralvue Reeflux. The store there has an upgrade of a XM DE 20-15010. This is greek to me. What to do? Is this what I want or it another vendor/store I go to to get the correct bulbs for this particular unit. Sorry to be ignorant, but hey, you already know I'm blind when it comes to this.
Last edited by lReef lKeeper; 02-12-2008 at 10:28 PM.
the XM 20k DE bulbs are going to be extremely blue. you CAN use those bulbs if you want a very blue look to the tank. a fixture will come with actinic supplemental lighting (usually T5 or PC lights). the reason that i recommend the Coralvue Reeflux 10k bulbs is that they are the most white bulb available, IMHO, and by already having the built in actinic bulbs in the fixture, they will give you a somewhat bluish white and super crisp look to the tank. not to mention that 10k bulbs are proven to be the best k rating for coral growth.
__________________ Bobby
"I FORMERLY glued animals to rocks" NO TANK RIGHT NOW, but you never know when I might throw one together !! I have everything I need but the time!!
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sorry, i just checked out the link and looked into the bulbs that are available.
IMHO, the XM 10k (what i run right now) are to yellow unless you supplement with crazy amounts of actinics.
the 15k bulbs have less par than the 20 k's but are not as blue. and you want a good par rating so you can keep light demanding corals on the bottom half of the tank.
the 20k bulbs have a DECENT par, but, IMHO, are way to blue (for my taste).
__________________ Bobby
"I FORMERLY glued animals to rocks" NO TANK RIGHT NOW, but you never know when I might throw one together !! I have everything I need but the time!!
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WoooooooHooooooooooo! Finally, I feel like I am making some headway here. It's about time! Life is good today. TGIF Yesterday felt like Christmas or my birthday! I got the 2 #3 Korellas that I ordered, the Maximus II RO/DI System and.......... the gallon freezer baggie of macro algea for my fuge. oh....... hubby handled it ok I thought after I set up another tank to house my ghost shrimp. You know, the tank that you said you wouldn't get after the 3rd tank? Grief! Naw, I just have my nano, a 10g LR w sand for my feeder minows (Vandamere) and the new 90 I set up. I had to set up a lil 5G BB for the ghost shrimp because the minnows were dining on them. I am running out of reasons for all my new additions. He tells me my office looks like DNR in here. Heh heh. It's great, I find that this fights my cabin fever with it being winter. Oh, and I ordered my new lighting system. The one Bobby helped me with. I can't wait! I'm so excited. I know with the new lights I'll be bust'n wide open! OOOOOOOOOhhhh. You guys better watch out for my entry to the LR Tank of the Month! Ya'll will have coral, fish and colored sticks, but I'll have some great looking "lit up rocks!"
*** Revision: I have been going through some old photos, that had lost their old hosting home, that I originally had been posted here in my Journal. I thought to share one when my baby was just a lil toddler! It's hard to believe that Van was only about 3.5" - 4" long when I got him. It didn't take him long to wrap me around his little finger and capture the hearts of everyone who sees him.
Last edited by Skurvey Dog; 09-24-2008 at 09:09 PM.
so what bulbs did you end up going with ?? bulbs are a tough decision, i know. i am going through the debating process right now as i am having trouble with ALL 4 of my 160w actinics. they just keep shutting off for no reason that i can see. enough about me though (i will figure it out sooner or later, until i do the fish will just have to go to bed early). anyway, what bulbs did you go with ??
__________________ Bobby
"I FORMERLY glued animals to rocks" NO TANK RIGHT NOW, but you never know when I might throw one together !! I have everything I need but the time!!
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Olah Bobbyerto Trying to catch my build up to date. I just ordered the standard lighting in the new lighting system that I ordered. I figured after spending 1 G on the initial, I would cool my jets and upgrade the lights in 6 months when they need to be replaced. I do appreciate, more than words could ever express your one on one help and TRL the other night while we were taping the broadcast. You guys are awesome!
I am currently trying to assemble my Maximus II RO/DI unti and tank. I have posted a help thread to answr my questions on the assembly. I recieved the 2 #3 Korellas and placed them in my tank to increase the flow of current. I feel that one them is correct, I may move the other, trial and are, before I find the correct water flow that i am looking for. It's sort of hard since I have no corals, etc in my tank. I can only judge my findings/water movement on Vandemere. I have just opened up the boxes containing my liughting system. The balances feel like they are about 15lbs apiece. (Of course this is estimated judgement from lugging water containers.) I have looked up the electricity usage scales and will find out the voltage capabilities of the outlets that I have available. I have an electrician at the ready who has agreed to come in and make the neccesary upgrades as necessary. I'll have to get back with you as I assemble my lighting system.. I'm quite estatic. I am making progress!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks CJo! I was so excited I downed a pint while fussing with this RO/DI unit and unpacking the lighting system. I'm under the weather, maybe it a bad cold, flu or something else. Hubby whisked me away to the slam, bam for a bite to eat and now I'm beat. I'll update you folks about my lighting in the am when I've gotten some rest. Work week has been rough this go round. I'm hoping I'll get some info to finish the RO/DI in the am. If not, I've made a call to a LFS 30 mins away to see if they can help me. And NO>>>>>>>>>>> sometimes ignorance is not bliss! I used to think it was, but have changed my mind since then. Take care folks!
Woke up this morning not feeling so swell. Running a temp, chest/ head all congested and have laryngitis. Aweeeeeeeee. The humorous part was the phone rang this morning and I answered it, but no sound would come out!!! Hubby taking good care of me but is having a field day! He keeps me laughing and he knows I am probably packing my humour arsonal for when I have recooperated.
I unpacked my lighting system and inserted the bulbs and installed the support legs. Took so long, all morning, because I'm so weak and get tired easily. I got it set up and am running the lights, with the exception of the MH. Didn't hook the 2 ballasts up because I want the electrician to come out here again and give me the go ahead as I don't want to overload anything.
I am still at a stand still with the RO/DI unit, as I had to cancel my planned trip to the LFS. I think part of my problem is that I'm tired and ill and just can't think clearly and that coupled with my frustrations have in part, not allowed me to problem solve. If anyone has experience with the Maximus II, I sure would appreciate any information that you'd like to share with me.
I did some routine maintenance on the tank today and my macro algeas are doing well and I have copepods of various species crawling all over the glass. How exciting. I am very pleased seeing this. I'll try to post some pics soon of my DT. I couldn't believe how it came alive with the new system. It looks totally different. Worth every penny I spent.
Sorry to hear that you have strep throat and laryngitis. I know you are miserable. Hope you start feeling better soon!
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Funds for lighting is now pushed back! Can't wait any longer. I gotta move forward. 
Want to order the lights today on some plastic. You mentioned upgrading the bulbs with the Coralvue Reeflux. The store there has an upgrade of a XM DE 20-15010. This is greek to me. What to do? Is this what I want or it another vendor/store I go to to get the correct bulbs for this particular unit. Sorry to be ignorant, but hey, you already know I'm blind when it comes to this. 
Yesterday felt like Christmas or my birthday! I got the 2 #3 Korellas that I ordered, the Maximus II 
Grief! Naw, I just have my nano, a 10g 
Trying to catch my build up to date. I just ordered the standard lighting in the new lighting system that I ordered. I figured after spending 1 G on the initial, I would cool my jets and upgrade the lights in 6 months when they need to be replaced. I do appreciate, more than words could ever express your one on one help and 
I meant 5lbs. The more I think about it they probably are more like 3.5 or 4lbs.
He keeps me laughing and he knows I am probably packing my humour arsonal for when I have recooperated. 