Metal Halides over a 20 high

jmvaldes80 · 05/25/2012, 02:32 PM

I currently run a 4 bulb, t5 fixture from Aquaticlife. I'm wanting to up my lighting to a metal halide because I want to start growing SPS. My question is what wattage of MH should I get 150 or 250. My current corals are:

GSP
Zoas
Torch
Xenia
Rose Bubble Tip

I know the 1st 2 don't need to much light, but don't want to burn them up.
My anenome seems not to mined the light that I have now too much. But the torch doesn't open up all that well when its on the sand. Which MH do you guys recommend?

jmvaldes80 · 05/27/2012, 05:27 PM

70 views and no opinions?

DownwardDawg · 05/27/2012, 05:51 PM

I'm starting up a 125. I think its 20" high as well. I'm going with 250 watt halides. Radiums with VHO actinics.

tkeracer619 · 05/27/2012, 05:55 PM

to be specific.

20" high or a 20 gallon tank?

bskiba · 05/27/2012, 06:08 PM

I would say 250 or 150 would grow just fine. my only worry would be heat. the halide will heat the tank up a bit so you better have some cooling ability. t5's or led's would grow any sps you want.

but to answer your question.
250 would be really strong and if you have a chiller
150 should be plenty

jmvaldes80 · 05/27/2012, 07:38 PM

20 gallon high and it's 17 inches high. So to be clear 150 would be good for growing sps anywhere

Bluewater04 · 05/27/2012, 11:55 PM

I have a 15 gallon tall and have a 14k 150w de over it and have no problems growing anything.

TimeConsumer · 05/28/2012, 12:23 AM

I don't think the torch is suffering from any lack of light. I have a torch coral on the sandbed of my 75g which has a 4 bulb Tek over it. They do fine in lower light environments.

But if you want higher intensity, I'd wait a few weeks for the Kessil A350w to arrive.

Michigan Mike · 05/28/2012, 01:31 AM

I wouldnt go more than 150w, even the 70w fixtures may work...but not sure.

Michigan Mike · 05/28/2012, 01:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michigan Mike

You can probably grow some SPS in near the top of your tank now. I think the fixture you have is great...what kind of bulbs do you have in it? A couple good ati, UVL, or geisseman bulbs go along way...

jmvaldes80 · 05/28/2012, 12:13 PM

Well right now, I have the stock bulbs that came with it. But this week my new ati coral plus and aqua blues are coming in.

odoprelude · 05/29/2012, 09:34 AM

I have a 150w mh JBJ K2 Viper over my 20 high. I grow sps with no problems, but seem to have issues with BTA's. Have had a green and a rose BTA die in this tank within a matter of weeks. Checking the board and some local knowledgable reef keepers and the conclusion is too much light.. Just an FYI.. never thought that could be an issue with anemones. Water params were fine, good growth on sps and other coral.. I fed both of the BTA's..
Personally going to go with a Radion soon. Be easier to use when I have room for a bigger tank than the Viper, but overall, great idea. 250w may be too much though. HTH!

GSMguy · 05/29/2012, 11:20 AM

I run a 250w DE pheonix on an aquamedic m-80 ballast (so about 320w) on my 20G long. I don't have any heat issues but I have the light raised 18" above the tank.

DownwardDawg · 05/29/2012, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GSMguy

I run a 250w DE pheonix on an aquamedic m-80 ballast (so about 320w) on my 20G long. I don't have any heat issues but I have the light raised 18" above the tank.

I run a DE Pheonix right now over my 30 gal. I was wondering how the single end Pheonix would look using the Lumatek Select-A-Watt ballast.

jmvaldes80 · 05/29/2012, 12:00 PM

too much light for anenome, thats suprising I thought these creatures thrived on light. I think my bulbs are shifting because the nem has moved from the sandbed to the top of one of my rocks. I was thinking of getting the Hamilton Belize fixture with the actinics and lunar lights. Does anyone have any experience with it?

6Speed · 05/29/2012, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GSMguy

I run a 250w DE pheonix on an aquamedic m-80 ballast (so about 320w) on my 20G long. I don't have any heat issues but I have the light raised 18" above the tank.

Do you have any pics? How bad is the light spill?

jmvaldes80 · 06/03/2012, 08:51 PM

well my ati's came this week, and man what a difference. my bta is bulbing now and all my corals seem to like the new bulbs. I'm going to put off the mh for now.

05/25/2012, 02:32 PM	#1
jmvaldes80 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 57	Metal Halides over a 20 high I currently run a 4 bulb, t5 fixture from Aquaticlife. I'm wanting to up my lighting to a metal halide because I want to start growing SPS. My question is what wattage of MH should I get 150 or 250. My current corals are: GSP Zoas Torch Xenia Rose Bubble Tip I know the 1st 2 don't need to much light, but don't want to burn them up. My anenome seems not to mined the light that I have now too much. But the torch doesn't open up all that well when its on the sand. Which MH do you guys recommend?

05/27/2012, 05:51 PM	#3
DownwardDawg Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 838	I'm starting up a 125. I think its 20" high as well. I'm going with 250 watt halides. Radiums with VHO actinics. __________________ Current Tank: 125 gal mixed reef, 3-250 watt Radiums, T5 actinics, CS2 skimmer, RKL 60 gal "fun tank", 2-Ecotech Radions, Lifereef Overflow, build-in-progress

05/27/2012, 05:55 PM	#4
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	to be specific. 20" high or a 20 gallon tank? __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

05/27/2012, 06:08 PM	#5
bskiba Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: La Mesa Posts: 794	I would say 250 or 150 would grow just fine. my only worry would be heat. the halide will heat the tank up a bit so you better have some cooling ability. t5's or led's would grow any sps you want. but to answer your question. 250 would be really strong and if you have a chiller 150 should be plenty __________________ AKA: BRADREEF Current Tank Info: Started new cube 05-2012

05/28/2012, 12:23 AM	#8
TimeConsumer Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: New Orleans, La Posts: 1,919	I don't think the torch is suffering from any lack of light. I have a torch coral on the sandbed of my 75g which has a 4 bulb Tek over it. They do fine in lower light environments. But if you want higher intensity, I'd wait a few weeks for the Kessil A350w to arrive. __________________ Steve - Retired from reefing, for now.

05/27/2012, 05:27 PM	#2
jmvaldes80 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 57	70 views and no opinions?

05/27/2012, 07:38 PM	#6
jmvaldes80 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 57	20 gallon high and it's 17 inches high. So to be clear 150 would be good for growing sps anywhere

05/27/2012, 11:55 PM	#7
Bluewater04 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: ohio Posts: 74	I have a 15 gallon tall and have a 14k 150w de over it and have no problems growing anything.

05/28/2012, 01:31 AM	#9
Michigan Mike Freedom costs a buckofive Join Date: May 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 3,002	I wouldnt go more than 150w, even the 70w fixtures may work...but not sure.

05/28/2012, 12:13 PM	#11
jmvaldes80 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 57	Well right now, I have the stock bulbs that came with it. But this week my new ati coral plus and aqua blues are coming in.

05/29/2012, 09:34 AM	#12
odoprelude Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 848	I have a 150w mh JBJ K2 Viper over my 20 high. I grow sps with no problems, but seem to have issues with BTA's. Have had a green and a rose BTA die in this tank within a matter of weeks. Checking the board and some local knowledgable reef keepers and the conclusion is too much light.. Just an FYI.. never thought that could be an issue with anemones. Water params were fine, good growth on sps and other coral.. I fed both of the BTA's.. Personally going to go with a Radion soon. Be easier to use when I have room for a bigger tank than the Viper, but overall, great idea. 250w may be too much though. HTH! __________________ I have a bad feeling about this.. Current Tank Info: 20g Mixed reef

05/29/2012, 11:20 AM	#13
GSMguy Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Northern New Mexico Posts: 17,420	I run a 250w DE pheonix on an aquamedic m-80 ballast (so about 320w) on my 20G long. I don't have any heat issues but I have the light raised 18" above the tank. __________________ Nick. Conehead. Shallow Reef club. Current Tank Info: 48"x27"x14" Envision Acrylic rimless, 6x39w ATi Sunpower, Custom ATB Deluxe Skimmer, 4x tunze nano stream,ATB flowstar 1500, ACJR, Tunze osmolator.

05/29/2012, 12:00 PM	#15
jmvaldes80 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 57	too much light for anenome, thats suprising I thought these creatures thrived on light. I think my bulbs are shifting because the nem has moved from the sandbed to the top of one of my rocks. I was thinking of getting the Hamilton Belize fixture with the actinics and lunar lights. Does anyone have any experience with it?

06/03/2012, 08:51 PM	#17
jmvaldes80 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 57	well my ati's came this week, and man what a difference. my bta is bulbing now and all my corals seem to like the new bulbs. I'm going to put off the mh for now.