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Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Ben, Jan 6, 2011.

  1. Ben

    Ben Inactive User

    39
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    I'm getting started again with Saltwater.  I was wondering what sort of screw bulbs I should get for my metal halides for a 60 gallon aquarium?  What sort of Kelvin rating?  I was thinking 1 could be 10k 250W and the other could be a 20k 250W?
    What do you recommend doing to start the setup right?
    Money is something I don't have a lot to put into this, so I need to know where to buy pieces or get frags starts?  Live rock and sand I'm sure is a must, but is quite pricey.  Any suggestions on how to get that started up.  Refugiums startups or not?
    Truth is I used to know a lot more than I do, but have been out of the world of aquarium since 2006 and have forgotten a lot.
    Thanks for any help and feel free to private me or email me at pianoartist@mac.com
     
  2. jtesdall

    jtesdall Expert Reefkeeper

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    First you should match your bulbs or the tank will look sort of strange. Next, we need to know what you want to grow, LPS, SPS or softies. Different manufactures bulbs are as different as peoples preferences. In general I recommend 10K Reeflux Bulbs for 250W SE systems. Good par, good color and good price.
     
  3. Ben

    Ben Inactive User

    39
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    I like LPS and Softies.  Honestly I'd like to give my tank the ability to be versatile as much as possible.  I was looking at Uishio.  Are those any good?  How about some of the filtration and rock questions?
     
  4. Shaun

    Shaun Inactive User

    711
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    I would start a refugium right away, that is easier than adding it later.
     
  5. Armydog

    Armydog Expert Reefkeeper

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    iwsaka makes a good bulb thats what I have

    +1 on a refuge right away
     
  6. Armydog

    Armydog Expert Reefkeeper

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    Where are you located there is a guy on craigslist in ames selling dry LR for $2 a LB.
     
  7. Ben

    Ben Inactive User

    39
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    I'm in Coralville, IA.
     
  8. Guest

    Guest Guest

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    I would agree start the refugeem right away I wish I had
     
  9. Big John

    Big John Inactive User

    966
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    Hey Ben welcome back to the hobby, I'm in the Waterloo area, If your looking for LR let me know, I have some I just took out of my DT, it's ready to go---I would guess there is probably 70 lbs.
    It's various size's (2" to 10") and very established----It was in my tank for about 1 1/2 years---I'll let it go for $2.50 lb.

    John
     
  10. slovan

    slovan Experienced Reefkeeper

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    Welcome back Ben! /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default//emoticons/smile.gif

    To the OP who suggests a refugium, why?
     
  11. mthomp

    mthomp Inactive User

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    How deep is your tank? 250 watts may be a little much for lps and softies expecially if you are going to be using 2 bulbs. I Know in my old 55 i had 2 150 watt bulbs and because of the depth of the tank many of my coral needed to be kept in the shade.
     
  12. Ben

    Ben Inactive User

    39
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    My tank is about 24" deep. Would 150W be better? Ushio bulbs only come in 10K rating for that wattage. For some I thought corals liked many spectrums? A little bit of 10K and a little bit of 20K. Maybe I'm remembering my books wrong. Completely possible knowing my memory.
     
  13. mthomp

    mthomp Inactive User

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    I think 10k gives all spectrums, I could be wrong. Only thing i do not like about 10k bulbs is it makes the water look some what yellow and 20k is very blue.
     
  14. Sponge Expert Reefkeeper Vendor

    Marshalltown, IA
    Ratings:
    +233 / 1 / -0
    10K gives corals everything they need spectrum-wise. I have 3 10k's on my 135. My water doesn't look yellow and never has. If you want a blue look, go to the 20 K's.
     

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