Too much light for a 36x18 tank?

rudezuk · 01/06/2007, 02:28 AM

Right now I have a PC hood on there with 2x65w bulbs in it.

I am keeping some softies and some fish in there, but the light is only 30" long, and I have to put some of the corals way on top of the rock for them to really open up and do well.

So I can supliment the light with several options or replace it.

If i supliment it, I can do a HO 36" 30w T12 (I have 4 of these ballast already) I could put 4 of these bulbs in its place, but thats not that much more light output..

I can put a couple of 36" HO t-5's in there... Hello lights has a screemin deal on there retro kits right now.

Or I can go VHO's. I can add 1 in there now of a 36" 95w.

Or I can replace the PC hood with any of the above.

I thought about putting 4 VHO 95w on there, but that would be a ton of light for my 45g tank! We are talking like a 9:1 ratio!

And I do want to keep 2 seperate ballast for dusk to dawn.

Any advice?

JR719 · 01/06/2007, 02:37 AM

Look what I have on a 55. 2X 250W MH and 2X VHO actinics. If you don't get a sunburn reaching in your tank, you don't have enough light!

Actually, if you suppliment with a couple VHO's or T-5's you'll be fine. I don't like PC's and got rid of mine. If your not doing sps, VHO would be fine.

MiddletonMark · 01/06/2007, 04:45 AM

If going for higher light [or medium light] corals - I'd think the 4 x 95 VHO would be the best bet.

For comparison, while it's primarily stony corals - my 58 [36 x 18] has 2 x 250w MH and 2 x 95w VHO actinic on it. I have to worry about too much light ... but IMO, with 4 x 95w VHO you'll be fine.

Wrench · 01/06/2007, 09:12 AM

I have a 36" tank but not T5's. I've got 2x175w MH plus tow 96w PC actinics. The only drawback is the heat which I'm working on taking care of now.

01/06/2007, 02:28 AM	#1
rudezuk Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lovettsville VA Posts: 92	Too much light for a 36x18 tank? Right now I have a PC hood on there with 2x65w bulbs in it. I am keeping some softies and some fish in there, but the light is only 30" long, and I have to put some of the corals way on top of the rock for them to really open up and do well. So I can supliment the light with several options or replace it. If i supliment it, I can do a HO 36" 30w T12 (I have 4 of these ballast already) I could put 4 of these bulbs in its place, but thats not that much more light output.. I can put a couple of 36" HO t-5's in there... Hello lights has a screemin deal on there retro kits right now. Or I can go VHO's. I can add 1 in there now of a 36" 95w. Or I can replace the PC hood with any of the above. I thought about putting 4 VHO 95w on there, but that would be a ton of light for my 45g tank! We are talking like a 9:1 ratio! And I do want to keep 2 seperate ballast for dusk to dawn. Any advice? __________________ 300dd coming soon

01/06/2007, 02:37 AM	#2
JR719 Tang Cop Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: OK Posts: 2,240	Look what I have on a 55. 2X 250W MH and 2X VHO actinics. If you don't get a sunburn reaching in your tank, you don't have enough light! Actually, if you suppliment with a couple VHO's or T-5's you'll be fine. I don't like PC's and got rid of mine. If your not doing sps, VHO would be fine. __________________ Can't sleep, clowns will eat me. America is the most grandiose experiment the world has seen, but, I am afraid, it is not going to be a success. Sigmund Freud Current Tank Info: 300 reef, Aqua controller, Deltec calcium reactor, Reeflo 250 skimmer, Icecap bla bla bla

01/06/2007, 04:45 AM	#3
MiddletonMark Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 14,441	If going for higher light [or medium light] corals - I'd think the 4 x 95 VHO would be the best bet. For comparison, while it's primarily stony corals - my 58 [36 x 18] has 2 x 250w MH and 2 x 95w VHO actinic on it. I have to worry about too much light ... but IMO, with 4 x 95w VHO you'll be fine. __________________ read a lot, think for yourself Current Tank Info: 58g stony reef [250w10k, 250w 20k MH, 2x vho act, Octopus150, 6060 + 6000] ; 60g mixed tub

01/06/2007, 09:12 AM	#4
Wrench Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 2,004	I have a 36" tank but not T5's. I've got 2x175w MH plus tow 96w PC actinics. The only drawback is the heat which I'm working on taking care of now.