Can you help me with Reef Lighting?

[samdaman]

Ok guys here is my question..

I have a 50 Gal. Corner Tank. The Dimensions are as follows:2 ft High, 2'6" Long and 2'1" Wide. I Have included a Picture. How many watts of light do I need and how many watts can I get away with? I want to put Corals that require high lighting maybe an anemone...something among those lines?

My plans where to get this:
1 Perfecto Fluorescent Double-Bulb Strip Lights 36"/2-bulb
http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.co...tid=3817&rel=1

2 Coralife High Intensity 20,000°K Lamps 36" 30W
http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.co...fm?pcatid=4500
But that only gives me 60 watts total.

The rule of thumb is (?)~Gal?

Any suggestions on what to get, How many watts of light, and how many watts can I get away with? I want to put Corals that require high lighting maybe an anemone...something among those lines? Also the least amount of money would be great. And since my tank is irregular, I cant put a lot on top. Links to Items would be great too. Thanks for all your help!

[Toadally]

I would go wih something like this.... http://www.aquacave.com/detail.aspx?ID=2253

Add a 250 watt ballast and metal halide bulb and you're good to go!

[samdaman]

Originally Posted by Toadally

I would go wih something like this.... http://www.aquacave.com/detail.aspx?ID=2253

Add a 250 watt ballast and metal halide bulb and you're good to go!

Which bulbs would it use? I don't see a spot for them. I dont really know any kind of lighting, What specs of bulbs would be good?

Would any ballast work?

[sedor]

I agree with Michael. A 250W halide is going to be your best option here and with a bulb like that you will be able to keep anything in that tank. Depending on your setup it might be cool to remove the top completely and do a pendant style light hanging from the ceiling.

[samdaman]

Originally Posted by sedor

I agree with Michael. A 250W halide is going to be your best option here and with a bulb like that you will be able to keep anything in that tank. Depending on your setup it might be cool to remove the top completely and do a pendant style light hanging from the ceiling.

So:
Lumen Bright 3 MINI SE Mogul Base PENDANT by CoralVue

http://www.aquacave.com/detail.aspx?ID=2253#


Lumatek 250W Metal Halide Electronic Ballast

http://www.aquacave.com/lumatek-250w...last-2746.html

And I just need a bulb...

How would you go and set this up?

[mike_cmu04]

for the bulb i would go with a 14000k bulb

[samdaman]

Originally Posted by mike_cmu04

for the bulb i would go with a 14000k bulb

Whats the difference between 14.000k and 20,000k the blue tint right??

Would this work the same?

http://www.aquacave.com/aqua-medic-2...-kit-1205.html

This one has everything included already...

[samdaman]

Originally Posted by samdaman

Whats the difference between 14.000k and 20,000k the blue tint right??

Would this work the same?

http://www.aquacave.com/aqua-medic-2...-kit-1205.html

This one has everything included already...

Maybe build a hood with fans in it too?

[grigsy]

I have been using Hamilton Cayman Sun 250 watt HQI systems for about a year now and love them. They put out a lot of light. www.hamiltontechnology.com

I would recommend them as a great choice in reef lighting. 14K MH bulbs make a great choice for MH only type of pendants. That should give you good color and growth for a 50 gallon tank.

For your tank, you would need really only one metal halide - a single 250 watt would be plenty for that tank.

Personally, I prefer HQI ballasts for DE HQI lamps. They give off more PAR and tend to last a lot longer than MH Electronic ballasts. I have had the same PFO M80 HQI ballast for about 7 years but in that same period of time I have burned out 3 MH Electronic ballasts.

[samdaman]

I have a friend that can get me discounts, but from this site http://www.reefh2o.com/category_s/4.htm

Can you guys check it out and see which one could be good for me and I'll ask for the price? Also which is better/cheaper: mogul/double ended?

Thanks

[samdaman]

What do you think about these?

http://reefkoi.com/coral/index.php?m...roducts_id=840[/QUOTE]


larger image
Evolution LED Light
$299.00
119- 1 watt LED's [85 Blue/34 White] Switch for white off.
Hanging hardware included!
Housing dimensions are 16" x 8.5" x 3" unit has 3 fans built in for optimal cooling. We have been testing this unit over our frag tanks and so far the growth is the same as we had with the power hungry 400 watt metal halide, the colors are much better it is a perfect blue color like a well balanced blue T5 or a 25K metal halide look!
Housing is powdercoated black for a sleek look if you do not use a hood on your aquarium.
Warranty is 3 years on these units, typically in stock email us for availability if you need them fast!
PAR testing with 1 light 5" above water line shows 926 PAR at surface, 565 PAR 5" underwater, 263 PAR 19" underwater, 115 PAR 23" underwater at the sandbed.
Unit comes with 2 cords 1 for the white and 1 for the blue so you can independently control them and have a dusk dawn cycle (timers and or controller's not included)

[Pieface]

How deep is your tank? This will also determine the watts needed, if your tank is over 18" you are going to want a higher watt bulb. The livestock you have will also determine the wattage and kind of light. But in the end MH is your safest route. 14K

[samdaman]

Originally Posted by Pieface

How deep is your tank? This will also determine the watts needed, if your tank is over 18" you are going to want a higher watt bulb. The livestock you have will also determine the wattage and kind of light. But in the end MH is your safest route. 14K

24" deep, So the 250W MH is the safest way to go then. 14K

[Pieface]

If you plan on have clams in the tank, you are going to want a high watt bulb. But a higher watt is more heat, so your hood is going to need cooling fans. The other thing to remember is most MH bulbs have to be changed out every 9 months. I personal perfer the Hamilton lights.

[samdaman]

Originally Posted by Pieface

If you plan on have clams in the tank, you are going to want a high watt bulb. But a higher watt is more heat, so your hood is going to need cooling fans. The other thing to remember is most MH bulbs have to be changed out every 9 months. I personal perfer the Hamilton lights.

About how many watts do you think for clams? Which hamilton system do you use? How lond do the bulbs last for you? Do you waste a lot of energy?

[Pieface]

Im not sure if there is an exact number for the clams but I will look and see. I have had good luck with the mogul base lighting in a custom hood. Here just like AZ we have dry heat all summer long, so my biggest problem was that heat would transfer into the tank. I fixed that problem with fans and a chiller. The bulbs lose their color as they age, but all of the lighting systems do, well except LED. As for waste of energy, its hard to say I have other energy hungry things running, hotub and a wife that like hour long showers.

[samdaman]

Originally Posted by Pieface

Im not sure if there is an exact number for the clams but I will look and see. I have had good luck with the mogul base lighting in a custom hood. Here just like AZ we have dry heat all summer long, so my biggest problem was that heat would transfer into the tank. I fixed that problem with fans and a chiller. The bulbs lose their color as they age, but all of the lighting systems do, well except LED. As for waste of energy, its hard to say I have other energy hungry things running, hotub and a wife that like hour long showers.

Thanks for taking the time to look. . Yeah I am also considering the heat created by them.. This is my first summer having the tank and I have not had problems with temp. raising. But adding the MH is the same as putting it next to the window....some heating up will occur. I have lots of fans in my rooms so I do not think it will be a problem..If it will be hanging. I will just put a fan on the wall between tank and MH pendant... I dont know if you read my past posts. But I have a friend that owns a shop and can get me discounts on stuff. I am thinking of comparing prices to see if I go with the hamilton or not. Either way Im looking at the $225+ range If I decide any.

[Pieface]

Thats a good price to lighting system. Check out CL for people selling stuff cheap. I got a 1/3 hp chiller JBJ for 300 and working on a 220 acrylic tank for 200. Cash is king.

[samdaman]

Yeah Ive seen some, but they post them the same price as new. So im still checking around..

[samdaman]

If i can go with a 400W, should I?

[Pieface]

I would have to compare cost. Is the ballast's the same for both bulbs?