How would you light my tank???

smalls383 · 06/03/2008, 12:04 AM

I have a 54 gallon corner tank which I am going to upgrade to a MH setup for it. So what would you run on it.

150W or 250W?
Double ended or single?
14K or 20K
Any recommendation for brands?

Right now it is a FOWLR tank but I want to get some corals and nems so take that into consideration with your recommendation....

All your help is appreciated!!! Thankx!!

demonsp · 06/03/2008, 12:06 AM

Fish dont care about light. Whats the type of coral you want?

InsaneClownFish · 06/03/2008, 12:09 AM

I would use two 14k 150w DE HQIs on that tank. Some type of mini pendants would work well...sunlight supply.

smalls383 · 06/03/2008, 12:12 AM

I wont be able to fit two 150W....the corner tank kinda small in the top. Would one 250W light be two much?

D to the P · 06/03/2008, 12:48 AM

250 watt double ended 14K, but I'm sure 150 watt would work if the tank was to be sps and lps dominant. But only if it's a reef tank, otherwise it won't be necessary and you could just go with PC's or T5's.

xJake · 06/03/2008, 02:09 AM

If you want corals a single 150w MH will do just fine. The color spectrum and whether it is double or single ended is really a personal choice. There are differing opinions and you can probably find thousands of different discussions on types of bulbs. My personal choice is a 14k HQI by Phoenix. It's a crisp white with just a hint of blue. It has good growth and shows off the fluorescence nicely.

Playa-1 · 06/03/2008, 05:00 AM

These guys have a good reputation.

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/Met...Retrofit_Kits_(MH_Only)/

200mfromocean · 06/03/2008, 07:16 AM

I had the 150 DE viper and 130 PC and was not happy with the amount of light over my 54 gallon.. I was running a JBJ 14K bulb on the 150 DR MH viper and the color was light yellow white.

Now I have a 250 DE Sunpod 8" from with the water and I never had heat issues. I am running 12K reeflux and the appearance is a nice crisp blue and brings out the fluorescents(greens). However stock ballast is not the greatest.

If I had a chance to do it over, i would go with an icecap or pfo hqi ballast. The icecap is the most popular and may be the best fit with 14K phoenix. The PFO HQI(M80) is better at firing euro bulbs such as 20 K radiums.

IF you have the patience figure out which type of bulbs you like, then select ballast and reflector.

http://www.cnidarianreef.com/lamps.cfm

ans sanjay's web site

http://www.reeflightinginfo.arvixe.com/

smalls383 · 06/03/2008, 04:02 PM

Right now I am leaning toward the PHO 250W HQI pendant and either the PHO ballast or the IceCap.

As for the bulb, I am not sure yet, something DE in the 15K range as I will not be running actinics.

Any suggestions for bulb and ballast to go with my PHO 250W pendant?

Thnaks for the help!

-Kevin

smalls383 · 06/03/2008, 04:05 PM

Also,

Does anyone have any good threads or links to informative sites on MH lights.....SE or DE....Ballast section.....???

06/03/2008, 12:04 AM	#1
smalls383 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Saratoga, CA Posts: 483	How would you light my tank??? I have a 54 gallon corner tank which I am going to upgrade to a MH setup for it. So what would you run on it. 150W or 250W? Double ended or single? 14K or 20K Any recommendation for brands? Right now it is a FOWLR tank but I want to get some corals and nems so take that into consideration with your recommendation.... All your help is appreciated!!! Thankx!!

06/03/2008, 12:09 AM	#3
InsaneClownFish Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 5,069	I would use two 14k 150w DE HQIs on that tank. Some type of mini pendants would work well...sunlight supply. __________________ 7 Years Reefing and Many Fresh 8 Foot Envisions

06/03/2008, 12:48 AM	#5
D to the P Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Amishville, USA Posts: 2,047	250 watt double ended 14K, but I'm sure 150 watt would work if the tank was to be sps and lps dominant. But only if it's a reef tank, otherwise it won't be necessary and you could just go with PC's or T5's. __________________ Nature V.S. Nurture: Nature Always Wins. Current Tank Info: 12 gallon Aquapod reef with LED's, multiple nano's at work.

06/03/2008, 07:16 AM	#8
200mfromocean Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Carrollton, TX Posts: 355	I had the 150 DE viper and 130 PC and was not happy with the amount of light over my 54 gallon.. I was running a JBJ 14K bulb on the 150 DR MH viper and the color was light yellow white. Now I have a 250 DE Sunpod 8" from with the water and I never had heat issues. I am running 12K reeflux and the appearance is a nice crisp blue and brings out the fluorescents(greens). However stock ballast is not the greatest. If I had a chance to do it over, i would go with an icecap or pfo hqi ballast. The icecap is the most popular and may be the best fit with 14K phoenix. The PFO HQI(M80) is better at firing euro bulbs such as 20 K radiums. IF you have the patience figure out which type of bulbs you like, then select ballast and reflector. http://www.cnidarianreef.com/lamps.cfm ans sanjay's web site http://www.reeflightinginfo.arvixe.com/ __________________ 120 G in wall mixed reef, 35 G 4' long prop, 35G sump/fuge, 19G RODI resevoir. Sink & few gadgets. Current Tank Info: 120G Mixed reef, started 10/15/2009

06/03/2008, 12:06 AM	#2
demonsp Moved On Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: el paso tx Posts: 7,634	Fish dont care about light. Whats the type of coral you want?

06/03/2008, 12:12 AM	#4
smalls383 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Saratoga, CA Posts: 483	I wont be able to fit two 150W....the corner tank kinda small in the top. Would one 250W light be two much?

06/03/2008, 02:09 AM	#6
xJake Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,385	If you want corals a single 150w MH will do just fine. The color spectrum and whether it is double or single ended is really a personal choice. There are differing opinions and you can probably find thousands of different discussions on types of bulbs. My personal choice is a 14k HQI by Phoenix. It's a crisp white with just a hint of blue. It has good growth and shows off the fluorescence nicely.

06/03/2008, 05:00 AM	#7
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	These guys have a good reputation. http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/Met...Retrofit_Kits_(MH_Only)/

06/03/2008, 04:02 PM	#9
smalls383 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Saratoga, CA Posts: 483	Right now I am leaning toward the PHO 250W HQI pendant and either the PHO ballast or the IceCap. As for the bulb, I am not sure yet, something DE in the 15K range as I will not be running actinics. Any suggestions for bulb and ballast to go with my PHO 250W pendant? Thnaks for the help! -Kevin

06/03/2008, 04:05 PM	#10
smalls383 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Saratoga, CA Posts: 483	Also, Does anyone have any good threads or links to informative sites on MH lights.....SE or DE....Ballast section.....???