Opinions on lighting

[sphelps]

Here's the deal, at some point in the near future I may setup a new tank. The tank will be a 3 foot cube base with a height of 20", resulting in an approximate volume of 110 gal. I don't want any restrictions on corals or clams, and would like to be able to place SPS corals almost anywhere in the tank. If I have a clam I would like to sit somewhere in the substrate and still get enough light.



So I'm looking for some opinions on how much light to use. I'm going to use mostly MH’s and probably go with 15-20K bulbs. I'll also be using a few PC's just to simulate sunrise and sunset but probably only 50W of 10K and 100W of Actinic.



Now I don’t want overkill, the electricity bill is a huge factor. What do you think the best wattage and number of halides is??

[Jon123]

Are you familiar with the www.saltwaterfish.com (http://www.saltwaterfish.com/) message forums? Probably the best place on the net to ask for advanced help from people across North America.

A direct link to forums:

http://www.saltwaterfish.com/vb/

Jon

[scary gary]

I would say 2-250 metal halides. 14k bulbs My tank is 3ft. long and 16in wide and has 1-250. This is just enough with the outside edges dimmer. Anything less tha 2-250's and I think you will be disapointed. There also is 2- 96 watt p.c's 1 50/50 and 1 actinic. I know the bills are a concern but make sure you are going to be happy with someting less to save some money. Most of us have kicked ourselves for going that route only to bite the bullet and upgrade later.

[Bayside Corals]

Hey Steve,


I agree with Scary Gary, 2 x 250 watt halides would be the best. But you may be able to get away with 1 x 400 watt halide and just hang it a little bit higher to get more light spread.

Best Regards,
Colby
________
SIDE EFFECTS FROM WELLBUTRIN (http://www.classactionsettlements.org/lawsuit/wellbutrin/)

[Invigor]

But you may be able to get away with 1 x 400 watt halide and just hang it a little bit higher to get more light spread.

I'd vote for that..being a cube, it'd be hard to position the 2 250w to give even lighting..the single 400 would look the best

[sphelps]

Most of us have kicked ourselves for going that route only to bite the bullet and upgrade later.

That's exactly what I don't want, I want to do this right, some of the information I've found has recommended at least 900 Watts for SPS and for the tank size. Seemed a little high to me, I was thinking of going with 3 175 Watt Metal Halides combined with the power compacts, I could also easily add another 100 watts of power compacts to the system as well. Thinks thats more than enough (525W MH, 150W + 100W PC) or could I still benefit from more? or do you think using 250 Watt MH's will penetrate the water better than the 175's?

[sphelps]

Hey colby, you think one 400Watt will be enough?? For lots of SPS?

Would I be restricted to keeping SPS in the middle of the tank?

[Quinster]

On my cube I am running 1 250W in the middle and 4 40W actinic 03's (2'), the cube is 24x24x30, I don't think I would place SPS in there unless they were right at the top. I would probably go with 1 400W, just due to the fact that it will be cheaper to set up rather than multiple bulbs, ballasts and reflectors, and as mentioned, if it seems too much, you could allways adjust the height. It would be tough for you to get enough penetration from a 175W, they suggest them for tanks upto 18" deep for sps or 24" deep for softies.

Instead of PC have you considered T5's? I just find them much more brilliant than PC's, and in the end I believe bulbs are cheaper and last longer.

[Stasher]

I love my halides on my tank. The tank is 24" tall with the 2 halides 10" off the water. They are 250watt run off a PFO dual ballast. I use 2 vho 110watt actinics for supplementation....the URI super actinics are alot better for supplementation that pcs IMO. I have 3 SPS in my tank that have more than tripled in size since I put them in the tank 6 months ago. The 250s definately penetrate to the bottom well, my mushrooms shrivel unless I hide them under rocks or shade them somehow. The only unique situation you have is the cube factor, my 2 reflectors just fit the length of my tank nicely at 60", you only have room for 1. With that being said I would go for 1 400watt fixture and hang it abit higher.

IMO, this is the absolute best place for extra info on your lighting questions.
www.reefcentral.com/forums


www.cnidarianreef.com has an awesome link that compares all the major lights, they may be 250 bulbs but it gives you an idea. It helped me decide that my upcoming bulb replacement will be the Sun 10ks.

[Invigor]

It helped me decide that my upcoming bulb replacement will be the Sun 10ks.


:thumb: thatta boy!