Aquaconnects

[Fiziksgeek]

Anyone out there using Aquaconnect 14K's?? If so what do you think of them? I am considering them for the new tank...assuming I can find them...

[chirocato]

PM sent

[ReefRockerLive]

FYI, you can get them at AquariumSpecialty.com

[Fiziksgeek]

So here is my dilema.

The new tank will have internal dimensions of about 52x37. My first thought was to use a single 400W XM-10K on a light mover with a couple Actinic VHOs. Thsi woulc give me lots of output, but not sue a whole lot of power. When I was down at Greenwich Aquaria, I fell in love with their main display which was running 400W 20K Radiums on HQI ballasts and some actinic supplementation as well. Sooo, now I have a feeling to have anywhere near the color I was, I will need more actinic supplementation, maybe 4 x 110W, and I know it still wont have the look I want.

So now I am thinking just a couple of 400 watt bulbs with no supplementation. Trying to be a frugal as I can, but still get what I want..what everyone wants, good color with high output with the least power draw.

I dunno...starting to ramble now...I am debating the 400 W aqua connects on icecaps, but the bulbs are just so darn expensive, and I have heard of supply issues. Leaning toward a couple of Radiums, just wondering if they will be enough without supplementation...though I guess compared to my xm10Ks...haha..

[REEF-DADDY]

The AC bulbs on hqi ballasts are very bright and alot whiter than the radiums. On a standard ballast they are very blue, but yet don't colorize the corals like the radiums do. From memory I don't recall the PAR of the AC bulbs being all that great on anything but hqi ballasts. After trying about 10 different lighting set ups I can tell you nothing is like a Radium except a Radium. On the hqi ballast its by far my favorite combo.

[Fiziksgeek]

Thanks for the input! I really like the look of the radiums on the HQI ballast....just not sure I can deal with replacing them every 6 months or so.

Now thinking about my original idea again...a single 400watt bulb on a light mover with some VHO actinic....but instead of the XM10K maybe use the Giesemann Megachrome Coral 14.5K....From what I am reading, it has a stronger actinic line than the XM, so it looks good with a bit less supplementation...Its still an expensive bulb, but if I can get away with 2 vho instead of 4 it will be worth it.

[REEF-DADDY]

You know what other bulb looks really good, and you may not need hardly any supps is the reeflux 12k. Par is not the hottest but its the closest thing to a Radium I've seen.

[chirocato]

I have a Reeflux 12k in a Lumenarc, over my frag tub and it is pretty sweet.

[Fiziksgeek]

Sounds like I need to take a trip up to Enfield....

[chirocato]

c'mon up

[REEF-DADDY]

Don't drink anything Cato gives you.

He will poison you with Alcohol

[Fiziksgeek]

I see how it works now...there's a two drink minimum to view his tank, so even if he hasn't cleaned the glass in a month the tank still looks good...

[chirocato]

I don't drink. Actually the Reeflux 12k looks more purple (like the Radiums) than the Phoenix 14k IMO.

[REEF-DADDY]

Cato getting all serious on us :P

[chirocato]

[ReefBum]

I'm running a couple of SE 400w 14.5k Megachromes over my tank. They have a very high PAR and run a crisp white with a hint of blue. Not like the Radiums but I like the color a lot.

[Fiziksgeek]

Reefbum--Do you use actinic supplement as well??

[ReefBum]

Yes. I have 8 39W T5 actinic bulbs.

[57vert]

Originally posted by chirocato
I don't drink. Actually the Reeflux 12k looks more purple (like the Radiums) than the Phoenix 14k IMO.

Umm, must be a New Year's Resolution.

[chirocato]

Originally posted by 57vert
Umm, must be a New Year's Resolution.

Not a chance.