Lights for a 46 bow
 

Would 2 sm MHs be to much along with a vho for a 46 bow ? If so what would work well.

try this just build your own on here if youre gonna use a retrofit, I would use the 250w MH and the actinic VHO's

http://hellolights.com/36builityour.html

You could use metal halides if you wanted, but T5 would be more than enough for a tank that size and you could keep any sps or clam you wanted if you got the right fixture. The bulbs last longer, burn cooler and use a lot less electricity.

If I am not mistaken, isn't the 46 gallon bow front about 36 inches long? If you used 1 metal halide bulb, you would have to get a good reflector other wise the one bulb wouldn't light the tank very evenly. If you used metal halide, I would probably use 2x175s and cut out the actinic. If you get the right bulbs you don't need actinic.
I have used Metal halide/VHO in combination before and I love the look myself but I really think you could do with less. T-5 would be my personal choice.

one 250w or 2 X 250w MH + one VHO

T-5s how many & what all would I need to get it going. I want to get a crocea clam or 2 so I want to make sure I have plenty of light for them. Can you tell me what exactly I would need to make it myself

You probably wouldn't need 250 watt fixtures, as 175 watt moguls or 150 watt HQI would more than do it.

On the T-5, I would get a fixture that has at least 4 bulbs. The 36 inch bulbs are 39 watts each.

But thats only 160watts

Wattage doesn't really have all that much to do with it. MH use lots of energy, but much of that energy is converted to heat. T-5 are more efficient at converting the energy they use to produce light so they don't need to have the same wattage. Think of T-5 like being VHO, only they are a lot skinnier so that you can mount more of them on top of your tank. Also T-5 is very small, like 5/16 of an inch in diameter so it is easier to mount good reflectors over them, which is crucial.

Dig these tanks, all powered exclussively by t-5.
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...totm/index.php

this tank is almost exclussively sps and runs soley off of t-5.
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...totm/index.php

Here is another tank powered off of dual metal halides, a 40 gallon breeder.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...totm/index.php

Hope this helps.

here is what the Guy said about the lights on his tank. The first tank link you posted.


Three 14K marine white 39-watt T5 tubes 9:00am - 9:00pm
Two Coral Star 30-watt actinic tubes 8:30am - 9:30pm



When planning the lighting scheme I knew I would be housing mainly large-polyped stony corals, most of which I know don't require very intense lighting.

I want 1 or 2 clams & SPS corals. I need the intence lighting.

I have a 46 gallon AGA Bowed tank. Setting up slowly but surely. Built a hood out of plywood. Contains 2 PFO 175 watt halides and two T-5 actinics. Squeezed in two 3 inch fans on each end of the hood. So far so good.

Can't wait to get the tank going so's I can relate all the horror stories to you guys.

i run 4 39 watt T5's over my 46 bow powered by an icecap ballast and keep everything in the tank from softies to SPS and all are doing great

Go with 4xT5 with individual reflector

http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/cat...61b4398f59e19e


Check this 36" 5 bulb T5 kit out. I would recommend these 5 bulbs installed in this exact pattern.

1-Aquaz Blue Pro 39 watt
2-Aquaz Ocean Pro 39 watt
3-Aquaz Sun Pro 39 watt
4-Aquaz Blue Pro 39 watt
5-Aquaz Ocean Pro 39 watt

Enjoy.