AP 12g lighting upgrade question

dwdenny · #1 05/22/2007, 09:26 AM

I am in the process of upgrading the lighting in my AP 12g. I am going to DIY a canopy iso I was thinking of putting in a 70w MH retro. I will use the ballast from the current hood so that I can use the PC for dusk/dawn and the LED for moon lights. All Zoa tank maybe a ric or two.

1st question is should I go with the 14kk or 20kk bulb?

2nd question how high should I have the bulb off the surface?
I was thinking about 6" but I am not sure as I have never used MH.

I will have 2 or 3 fans to help cool things and I keep the Air at 75 in the house so that will help keep things cool as well.

Here is a quick pic (I know the cyano is there I added another pw and that has taken care of it)

Thanks for your input
Doug

Jon in SW Ohio · #2 05/22/2007, 08:25 PM

70w bulbs lie, get the 20K. I made the mistake of getting 14Ks and each one I've tried is whiter than 10K!

dwdenny · #3 05/22/2007, 09:43 PM

good to know that is what I have been reading. I want more color then the PC lighting is giving me and the 20kk will give that to me from what I have read about MH. Thanks for your input Jon.

dwdenny · #4 05/23/2007, 06:39 AM

BTW the pic is with the stock PC lamps. Plus this gives me a bump.

ENraged · #5 05/23/2007, 09:16 AM

All i did was swap out my Stock Ap12 bulbs for some 10K bulbs and a true actinic bulb and I love it thus far.
Would be cool to retrofit a 70Mh in my hood tho.

Eklikewhoa · #6 05/23/2007, 09:22 AM

I have a NC12 and I have the 70w MH in the stock hood along with 2x18 actinics and love it! I am using the Ushio 14k bulb and to me it's white with a hint of blue to it and with the actinics it's about perfect to me.

dwdenny · #7 05/23/2007, 03:14 PM

I thought about that to EKlikewhoa, but I thought I would build a new canopy as the AP hoods are a PITA to take off. Plus I don't want the MH that close to the water. Thanks for everyones input, I am going to try the 20kk and actinics for dusk/dawn only and if I don't like it the I will switch to the 14kk and run the actinics for a bluer look.

LoudProudNPunk · #8 05/24/2007, 02:05 AM

i like my 20k, great for bringing out color in zoas, and not blasting them with TOO much light.

dwdenny · #9 05/24/2007, 08:21 AM

I had the PC actinics on last night and the wife walked by and saw the Zoa's green center glowing and now she is all excited about this. lol I had always told her if she would just take a minute and look at the tank she would see what I do. I finally happened.

I got the materials to build the canopy but between a new baby coming on the 30th and moving to a new home from the 4th-9th it will have to wait a bit. I will slowly get it built when I get a chance. Thanks for everyone input it is very helpful.

Thanks again
Doug

norcal99 · #10 05/24/2007, 06:56 PM

No mention here about the type of bulb you're getting. Ushio is notorious for being whiter than an actual 14K. Typically, Ushio 14K's are more like 10-11K and their 20K more like a 14K. If you're getting an Ushio, get the 20K. Or better yet, get a Astralux 14K bulb. It's a similar color to the Phoenix 14K which is a crisp white with a blue hue. Perfect in my opinion.

dwdenny · #11 05/24/2007, 07:43 PM

Might try that and if it is not blue enough then I will run the actinics as well. Relly like the 20kk look. It really makes the colors pop and this being a nano I don't really need fast growth rates. Thanks for the info Mike

Eliz · #12 06/06/2007, 08:53 PM

dwdenny, Congrats on the baby and good luck with your move! I also have a ap12 that I was trying to find a way to use the actinic from the stock hood to go with my sunpaq 70w MH. I am very interest in your canopy and would like to know if you have taken some pics and if so would you mind posting (when you get a chance of course