let the sun shine in (1 Viewer)

[KarenB]

WooooHooooo....... just got our new MH lights today, and it's like the sun is now in our livingroom.....and talk about glitter lines......WOW 8) I raised the pendants quite a bit from where they were. The fish hid out for like half an hour. They were probably wondering where the sun came from all of a sudden. So far the corals all look really happy, but I will keep a close watch to make sure nothing gets too stressed. I was planning on lowering a chain length a week. Does that sound okay? It's been a long wait, and I'm so glad we finally splurged for these. SPS, here we come

Also, I wanted to change out the reflectors inside our pendants. They are 16 inches. Marine Depot didn't have any that length, and I'd have to go up to 24 and then cut them down. Where is a good place to get the spider-type reflectors?

 

[Guest]

Congrats!

So now you need some cheap sunglasses just to sit on the couch, huh?

Better get some for your feathered baby, too.
8)

 

[KarenB]

Yeah........and do you think that would be enough light for the parrot?

 

[Guest]

What lighting were you using? VHO. I guess i need ot save up for halides too!!

 

[KarenB]

We had some really old and tired 400W 20K MHs, and we just switched to 10Ks. We're running 320W of blue actinics along with them, and I'm thinking of adding one more 160W blue....not sure yet.

 

[Guest]

Yep. Beau will definitely need some shades.

 

[Guest]

1120W total?

 

[KarenB]

Okay....lemme count:

(2) 400W 10K MHs = 800W
(2) blue actinics @ 160 ea = 320
(1) white VHO (which I'm thinking of changing to blue) = 160

Grand total wattage = 1280

 

[fishcraze]

I got my spider reflector w/ mogul socket.. from Reefalot for $20. You can get them online for ~$24 - 30 not including shipping. check w/ Kevin to see if he still has some available..

 

[bigbird123]

lights

Karen, I have 1300w of MH on my 135g---500w 20K and 800w 10K. All my corals love it.

Steve

 

[KarenB]

So, Steve, do you stagger or alternate your MHs: One 10K, one 20K, one 10K, one 20K, or do you have your 20Ks in the middle and 10Ks on the sides? That seems like a LOT of light for a 135.....wow. Yours must all be in the same hood? I wanna see pics

 

[AggieBrandon]

here is a picture of part of the canopy I believe Steve said it was suspended above the tank.....soon to be automated (he hopes)

Brandon

 

[KarenB]

Thanks, Brandon.

Wow, very nice, Steve

 

[AggieBrandon]

you're welcome....when are we going birding?

I have tons of crested caracara's to see

 

[KarenB]

It's getting very close to migration......

Oooooo......I think Caracaras are so cool.

 

[AggieBrandon]

I am beginning to see more and more of them...they are going to take over eventually I think....Was in the San Antonio last weekend and spotted a few black capped vireos and a golden cheeked warbler or two...even a scarlet ibis and roseate spoonbill....but those two were at the zoo

 

[KarenB]

LOL......I was going to say......the only place I've seen Scarlet Ibis are at Moody Gardens. There was, however, a Pink Flamingo seen in Galveston a month or two ago, and then someone else spotted another one near Padre. That bird had many, many visitors, but I didn't go

I've seen the Black-capped Vireo and the Golden-cheeked Warbler at Lost Maples. I love that place! We're talking about camping out there this fall with our next-door neighbors.

 

[AggieBrandon]

have you ever been to Big Bend? If not it is a pretty cool place to go to get away for a few days...lots of wildlife.

brandon

 

[KarenB]

Yep, and Davis Mountains.....made the loop.

Right now the Mississippi Kites are all over the place. I love watching them look down into the tree tops, their feet hanging, just waiting to swoop down on some unsuspecting songster.

 

[AggieBrandon]

yeah i haven't seen any kites....have seen them at Attwater's refuge though....i still like the shrikes

BNH