Help me figurure out my issue (4/19 New Sump?)

Looks fantastic, congrats. If MH was not so hot I would have stayed with it, I absolutely love MH.

What brand bulb?

 

Yeah, it does bring my tank temp up 2-3 degrees, so I will be installing a pair of computer fans to my canopy. I won't need to run the heater as much, however. I'll also keep the lights on 3-4 hours less (6-7 hours) at peak cycle.

The LFS said it was an XM 20k, but the bulb itself says it's a Hamilton 20k. He said he'll give me a bulb in a few months since this one has 6 months on it.

 

If it's a double ended bulb look at Phoenix and Radium next time.

I suggest you change it out in the next couple months as well. I change mine every 6-9 months.

 

It is DE. Which is better between the two?

 

Phoenix adds a slight blue and Radium IMO adds a crisp white/pink. They are both very popular bulbs with Radium being more popular with hardcore sps keepers.

Phoenix in 250 w might be a 14k and Radium a 20k. I prefer the 20k look myself.

 

Was searching online and I can't seem to find the DE radium.

BTW, saw another baby mushroom pop up and my favia has a 4th mouth, which is also new.

 

Well it seems they only make the 150w 20k DE.

Too bad!

I tried this one as well and like it initially but it was a tad too white for me.

20000K+ Metal Halide Bulb - Ushio, Double Ended

 

So many options lol. Thanks for the suggestions!

 

I'm probably making too many changes at once, but I think it will be beneficial in the long run and nothing seems to be suffering. In fact, I think things are improving.

Anyways, I added a Hydor Koralia 240 that I had lying around, into my tank. I already had a 490 and a 425 in the 20 gallon aquarium. That bumps my flow from 45x volume to 57x volume.

 

Latest round of tests:

Salinity: 1.026
Nitrates: 0
pH: 8.05
Alk: 4.65
Calc: 400
Mag: 1340

If I bring down Alk. another 1-1.5 meq/L I should be in perfect shape.