Question about SanJays lighting web site and lighting.

[HornetMech242]

I am looking at the site to determine what bulb i want to use with my Ice cap 250W electronic ballast. is the way to go. So i search based on my ballast but i dont know what the columbs on top mean. I dont know what PPFD and CCT stand for. I am sure its an obvious question so please forgive me for asking.

I did not plan on using actinics so i am guessing 14000k will be my choice. What are you using and what did you like/dislike? Most importnantly, can i keep SPS under two 250watt 14k bulbs?

Chris

[TwistedTiger]

CCT is color temperature and PPFD is a measurement of PAR plus a few other factors. Basically the higher CCT the bluer the bulb and the higher PPFD the higher the PAR or light given off by the bulb.

[HornetMech242]

Thanks Twisted. Now does any one have advice to what i should get. I can easily make a decision based on numbers but i am looking for what you have experienced.

Chris

[nyvp]

you didnt say if you were going de or se if de and your want 14k then the phoenix 14k at 73 par( with sheilding) if se then aquaconnect ($125 bulb) at 83 par or hamilton 14k at 69 par or radium 20k at 63 par. Hope this helps

[HornetMech242]

I am going SE. I am on SanJays site and it looks like the XM 10000K will be a good bulb. Will i need actinic with that. I want to stay from doing it but if i have to i will. I can see the numbers on the site but i dont have the experience to put a color to the number if that makes sence.

Chris

[HornetMech242]

But i am using Lumenarc III reflectors so that should belp me out. And one other question, what par do i want to stay around for SPS?

[TwistedTiger]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10627864#post10627864 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by HornetMech242
But i am using Lumenarc III reflectors so that should belp me out. And one other question, what par do i want to stay around for SPS?
With 250w in luminarcs you can use any SE bulb you want and you will have plenty PAR for SPS unless you have a very deep tank. Your best bet is to try and see as many tanks in person as you can so you can see what they look like. Pics are usually very inaccurate as far as appearance. Just about any 10k bulb you will need to run actinics to have any blue what so ever. After trying many different bulbs I settled on reeflux 12k without actinics in luminarc reflectors for a slightly blue look but nothing close to the 20k look. Look for pics of Acropora nut's tank to see a fairly good representation of what they look like without actinics.

[TwistedTiger]

Try this link to see AN's tank http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1140629 (http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1140629)

[HornetMech242]

The tank is 24" deep so i think that a 12 or 14k bulb will be plenty. But i agree that i need to go see some tanks.

Thanks,

Chris