Lighting question.

[rayviv]

On my 90-gal I have an Odessy fixture w/2 150mh and two 96w compacts and two 10k actinic. (I guess its considered two bulbs even tho they are connected together?)

I notice that a lot of people have 250mh and have prettier tanks. I'm not sure that what I have is strong enough. Can you guys give me some insight on whether my lights should be good enough or not? The compacts need 2-b replaced; the mh are new. They are the Phoenix 150w 14000k

I"m trying to keep sps & lps but I notice that both seem to turn brown and lose their color. Do most people use stronger lights?:confused:

[Cloran]

How deep is your tank? For a 90 would advise 250watt, if you go with a 14k bulb you wouldn't really need any other lighting. I have a 175watt over a 20g high

[marinelife]

250s are nice and I have found them cheaper than 175s. If you can change that would be best.
If not lower what you have to be closer to your water. Maybe even get a 10000k or 6500k bulb since you are running actinics.

[Cloran]

could flow be in issue? What do you mean by lps's "turning brown in color"?

[marinelife]

could flow be in issue? What do you mean by lps's "turning brown in color"?
So true!!

[rayviv]

Can Do that. Its on a diy canopy 8" up. I'll have to cut it in half. I need to get new compacts. Any recommendations where to get them? I guess I should replace them b-4 I lower fixture. Thanks 4 input.

[rayviv]

I dont think flow could be issue because flow seems to be good and dont see any dead spots when I put in arctic pods or brine Didn't know flow would affect color!

[marinelife]

How is your water? have you tested it lately?

[Cloran]

is it a 90 tall?

[reefer3737]

talk with lazylivin hes realy good with sps just look at his tank! Hell alot he bought off of NDR and still looks great.

[marinelife]

I am also good with SPS, I have had about every Acro bug there is!!

[rayviv]

The water is tested every saturday and water changes mostly on saturday. I do not know the readings because Vivian checks it and writes it down. And she in class rite now. But the water parems have been steady and consistent.

The tank is 25" high; the light is 10" from surface and about 30" from sand

[Cloran]

With that high of a tank, I would think that the 150's might be alittle weak.

[rayviv]

I got a pink stony from coral ranch (forgot the name of it) but it looks like a slimer but its not; and its losing its pink and turning brwn .

[Cloran]

have you checked your phospates? I still say its the lighting. Alot of my sps's lost their color and turn't brown before the MH. What lps is turning brown?

[rayviv]

Vivian is home from work sick today so if she is up to it She is gonna test. But we did a water change yesterday. I cant remember the name of the Lps but will find out today and post it. Dont know how clear a pic I can get maybe post it too.

I really appreciate everyones input.

[rayviv]

Pics ?

[rayviv]

The 1st pic is the one that was pink and is turning brwn. The 2nd was pink bubble tip and is now brwn. 3- fisk, brain, The 4th is green polyps are crusty and are not growing like they were.

[reefer3737]

cat paws looks good to me?

[rayviv]

which ones are the cat paws?

[Cloran]

if the lps's are turning colors, it might be something killing the algae in them. Do you dose anything to the tank?

[reefer3737]

the pink one!i started to dose,i know i was all about not dosing but i cant beleave the diff.

[rayviv]

No Cloran, I do not dose. I dont think I know enough about what I'm doing as it is to start dosing. This tank has been up for 8mos now (maybe 9). Its been good for most part. I've only lost one thing and that was a powder blue that died within just a few hours. Things were growing good and then just slowed down. I've seen some pick up a little since I replaced the MH. Need to find some cp's to replace them. Coral ranch has them on sale but theirs' are too short. I need 34" straight pin.

[rayviv]

So 3737; Tell me about your dosing. What made you start? And what are you dosing? And what IS the diff?

[Cloran]

i believe the 34" straight pin to be a 96 watt

[reefer3737]

just calcium andstrontium and molybdenum my clams are growing alot faster and moer color.by the way if any one needs corolpro dodd has 5 gallon still i dont know how long it will last.if any one needs it call937-938-9278

[rayviv]

I was able to get the 10-k compact lights today. And yes they make a diff. 34"-96w. (I got them from Dodd. He looks really good and said he's hoping to open July 1st. He is concerned that he wont be able to get the word out because of being kicked off the **** site.) Please keep him in your prayers.

[marinelife]

We will get the word out. I need salt in July so I will get the word out!!

[rayviv]

I'll let him know next time I talk to him

[reefer3737]

he has salt now i can get it for any one that needs it

[marinelife]

I will let you know I have to much happening right now to care about salt but I will need some.