how many actinics to off set mh

[A.T.T.R]

using a 5.5k k bulb at 175 watts on a 5 ft tanks ( two bulbs) how many vho actincs do oyu think it would take to off set the color to somthing more of the 14 k area

[barbra]

I think it will take lots of them to overcome the yellow look of 5.5k. I would trade the 5.5 for a 10k min and add about 2 actinics if it were me, but a lot has to do with personal preference when it comes to color.

[mg426]

Those 5.5s are most likely going to be mighty yellow looking. I suppose you will just have to add actinic untill you like the look of it.

[hahnmeister]

You shouldnt use actinics to offset 6500K-10,000K bulbs. FWIW, these bulbs already have loads of actinic in their output...more than 20,000Ks. What they lack is the blue, not the actinic. The best suppliment for these bulbs is actually a blue+ style T5 bulb. It glows blue rather than purple. ATI's blue+ is a perfect example. If you use just two or three 5' bulbs (an Icecap 660 ballast will run 3 5' bulbs just right) with blue bulbs in them, you will offset the 'daylight' very nicely.

[jamesdawson]

Since your already running 175s, you should get the Iwasaki 15ks as they have the best effeciency of ANY MH bulb of any wattage or spectrum!

See here:
http://www.reeflightinginfo.arvixe.com/tabular-colortemp-data.php?ColorTemp=15000&Watts=175&LampType=Single+Ended&Shielded=Select+Shielded&Manufacturer=Select+Manufacturer&Submit=Submit

As a nice bonus they are a very bright white and when suplemented with actinics/and/or/blue T5s or VHO, they are about perfect for both growth and color.

James

[A.T.T.R]

im actual running vhos right now on my display but have spare 5.5 bulbs and they are dirt cheep ( 20 bucks)
im currently redoing my tank after a few years of neglect ( prop tanks took priority )

actualy i think its time i make a new thread!

[hahnmeister]

Oh, wait... 5,500K? I was thinking 6500K and not looking at details. Those bulbs suck for corals. Waaaay too yellow and little to no blue spectrum. They might be good for growing algae in a refugium, but thats about it.