Switching from 14K to 10K + Actinic T5s

[JavaJones]

I am planning on replacing both my Hamiliton 250W 14K lights with a pair of 10K and adding 108W of T5 Actinic. Primary motivation is to keep future clams looking bright... I'll keep the photoperiod the same for the MH lights ~12 hours and have the actinics come on an hour before and stay on an hour after. Does that sound reasonable? Any other issues that I should think about? Right now I have very few SPS and mostly have anemones and LPS. But I want to have a really nice large SPS colony as a centerpiece down the line. THis is over a 75 display.

 

[penguinsix]

Do you know what 10k bulb you want? Do you want a 10k that has good colour or do you want one that has good growth? Altho I think the xm 10k has good colour and excellent growth.

 

[Jim Tansey]

I think you will like the results, I have used both XM's and Ushio both good bulbs, I just purchased a pair of 14K Phoenix after hearing good things about them on this board, I don't like them they are very blue.

Jim

 

[JavaJones]

Folks,

Thanks for this advice. I will probably go for the XMs (price seems good at diyreef.com). Maybe I could reduce the photoperiod somewhat given the increase in PAR and the current predominance of LPS?

 

[dz6t]

I recently switch from Phonix 14K to Gessman (sp?) 10K. Coral growth is amazing but the color sucks. So I add another 250w pendant running a Phonix 14K, I am happy and the coral are happier. By the way, I will stay away from XM, just my personal opinion.