Blog Comments

I'm a fan of the ATI bulbs, but I don't think you can really go wrong if you use either of those brands. KZ also makes a good bulb.

The link "Robb in Austin" provided is a great source to get some bulb combination ideas. The link won't recommend actinic at all because of it's low-par... but it will give you extra pop.

I'd recommend something like (front to back)

ATI Blue Plus / Giesemann Actinic Plus (not a true actinic)
Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus / Giesemann Actinic Plus
Aquablue

If you really want the extra actinic, replace that first bulb with a pure actinic. You may have to do a bit of experimenting to get the combination you like, some of it depends on the spacing of the bulbs and how high you have them above the tank.

If you still want a shade bluer than that combination, I found the KZ New Generation bulb is a smidgen bluer than the Aquablue bulbs, but I'm guessing it does not have the same amount of PAR either.

Hope that helps, please let us know what you ended up going with.

Either the Gmann or the ATI lamps will work.

What kind of fixture do you have?

See here for some recommended lamp combinations:

http://home.comcast.net/~stevelarsen00/site/?/home/

5-7 hours daily I would think. Take your time ramping it up a little each week until you finally reach 7 hours per day.

Thanks hat...it's my new fav to

Jessy--started with only two on that rock now it is just full of them

DJ that first one is a monti---a purple ridge one....it shows up better at night under the blue lights I will see if I can get a better shot

is that first one a monti

Nice yellow zoas.

Very nice Cruelle! I love the new corals, especially the first one.

I'd recommend the Mp40w ES since you'll probably upgrade anyway.

Thanks for the info guys...still a fews weeks away from getting them but just wanted to make a plan!

The mp10's put out 56% MORE flow than advertised. Not to nit pick but the way DJ has it typed it would be 56% x 1575 = 882, when in reality it should be 156% x 1575 = 2457.

I would go 1 mp40 and 1 mp10. I used to have that exact setup on my 75 and it worked well.

2 mp10s would be better and they did a test and it puts out 56% of what they say here a link to the test http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2011/7/aafeature

Ok, thanks Chris!

Went with my old mag 7 I had. I put a ball-value in the pluming to dial in on the right flow through the reactor, it works great. My guess is it is running at about 450 gph through it.

Chris, what pump did you go with for the SMR1 reactor?

Ok, thanks Marc!

Yes, that is correct. You'll need a pump that moves the recommended GPH through it. Mine was rated for 400-500gph.

Thanks Marc and Chris for the info! You have to buy a pump for the SMR1 where the MR1 kit comes with the pump. Is that right?

Hat... I have the SMR1 which which is a smaller size than the one melev is using. It is a great reactor well built and well worth the money and as I found out over the last few months before I got this spend the money to get great equipment the first time it saves you the headache of redoing things at a later date. just my two cents!

Chris

Henry, you'll want to use any reactor that is SMR ( solid media reactor) on their site. MR is media like Carbon or GFO, but SMR is for biopellets.