I have had my current (192W CF 50/50) lighting fixture for about a year. I need to replace the bulbs. In looking into getting new bulbs I decided that I should just get a new, more powerful fixture. I selected a fixture with the following specs:
- 1x 250W Metal Halide 14k
- 2x 96W CF Actinic
I am thinking I am going to hang it from the celling with some wire. The fixture is not designed for this but I think I can rig it up to hang from the fan vents in the top. It also has standard mounting brackets which I may use.
Now with the Halide lighting I can keep things like Clams and SPS, which I could not keep with the CF alone.
Additionally, I am going to attempt to get my reef on real parameters. This means actually testing various settings and adjusting things based off it. I have a feeling that I have a few things awry. Some of my coral do GREAT and others do AWFUL, examples: My Torch, Bubble, an Xenia do GREAT. However, Zoonathids slowly whither and die, as do Gonaporia. Muchrooms do OK but don’t seem to grow as much as they should. I suspect a Phosphate or trace problem. To put this into perspective, I have never tested. Like not even ONCE any parameter in my aquarium other than salinity. I don’t do any dosing other than weekly 10% water changes with real saltwater from Catalina.
I am going to pick up a test kit at the LFS today so that I can hopefully get the problem(s) identified before the new light arrives in a few days.