lighting over a 180

michaeljames · 10/10/2007, 11:40 AM

I'm setting up a new 180g tank next week, I have 2 250w MH with atinics for supplmentation the tank is an AGA with 2 cross braces I realize you should have MH every 24'' but after reading about the spider relfectors I bought they claim you'll only need 2 on a 6' tank?
Anyone have anything similar?

dattong · 10/10/2007, 11:48 AM

I ran 2 250w with spider reflectors on a five foot long tank before. The two ends and the middle was bright enough to keep lps and solfties. So I would say it wouldn't be enough for 6ft long tank. Sell those spiders to who needs them and get the lumenarc III. It does a very good job on spreading light.

rgulrich · 10/10/2007, 12:08 PM

I'm running three 250W over an AGA 180, one for each opening. I can still see the shadows cast by the cross braces after I clean the glass, buthtey are minimal.
I would think its up to you if you would be comfortable with the coverage two would provide or not. It they were centered over the outer two sections, the braces would cast their shadows toward the middle; if you placed them over the braces, the shadows would be cast straight down, but compensated a bit by the other light.
Aesthetically, I prefer three lights, and I'm toying with the idea of bringing some 150's up toward the front to supplement.
I think the inhabitants like the coverage the three lights provide, too.
I hope this helps.
Cheers,
Ray

JRaquatics · 10/10/2007, 12:16 PM

I am setting up a 180gal and decided to go with either 3-250 with luminarc reflectors or 2 250 and a 400 in the center. I tried 2 250 over my empty tank and did not like the light spread.

michaeljames · 10/10/2007, 12:20 PM

thanks for all the feedback! Guess I'll be putting the order in for another light!

10/10/2007, 11:40 AM	#1
michaeljames Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Rochester NY Posts: 737	lighting over a 180 I'm setting up a new 180g tank next week, I have 2 250w MH with atinics for supplmentation the tank is an AGA with 2 cross braces I realize you should have MH every 24'' but after reading about the spider relfectors I bought they claim you'll only need 2 on a 6' tank? Anyone have anything similar? __________________ "This tastes like crap!" "Well here, try it with some selcon and garlic..." Current Tank Info: 180g RR AGA 2 x 250w SE MH 1 x 175 SE MH 2 x 6' Super atinic VHO Iwaki 100 return Reef Octopus Skimmer

10/10/2007, 12:08 PM	#3
rgulrich greybeard Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: MD Posts: 893	I'm running three 250W over an AGA 180, one for each opening. I can still see the shadows cast by the cross braces after I clean the glass, buthtey are minimal. I would think its up to you if you would be comfortable with the coverage two would provide or not. It they were centered over the outer two sections, the braces would cast their shadows toward the middle; if you placed them over the braces, the shadows would be cast straight down, but compensated a bit by the other light. Aesthetically, I prefer three lights, and I'm toying with the idea of bringing some 150's up toward the front to supplement. I think the inhabitants like the coverage the three lights provide, too. I hope this helps. Cheers, Ray __________________ The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination. Albert Einstein Current Tank Info: 360 degree walk around 300 DD island–4 300W & 2 165W ViparSpectra, 4 Kessil A350W, 2 A360WE, 3 XF150, 1 XF250, 1 XF350 Gyre along with 2 PP40 and 2 IceCap 3K gyre for robust current. Basement 150 gallon RubberMaid sump, SKIMZ skimmer, DCP18000

10/10/2007, 12:20 PM	#5
michaeljames Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Rochester NY Posts: 737	thanks for all the feedback! Guess I'll be putting the order in for another light! __________________ "This tastes like crap!" "Well here, try it with some selcon and garlic..." Current Tank Info: 180g RR AGA 2 x 250w SE MH 1 x 175 SE MH 2 x 6' Super atinic VHO Iwaki 100 return Reef Octopus Skimmer

10/10/2007, 11:48 AM	#2
dattong Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 690	I ran 2 250w with spider reflectors on a five foot long tank before. The two ends and the middle was bright enough to keep lps and solfties. So I would say it wouldn't be enough for 6ft long tank. Sell those spiders to who needs them and get the lumenarc III. It does a very good job on spreading light.

10/10/2007, 12:16 PM	#4
JRaquatics Awaiting Email Confirmation Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: On RC Posts: 3,609	I am setting up a 180gal and decided to go with either 3-250 with luminarc reflectors or 2 250 and a 400 in the center. I tried 2 250 over my empty tank and did not like the light spread.