Help me light a 36x36x12 cube pls.

Hoodrich · 05/13/2013, 07:45 AM

I want it to be sps dominated. What is the best way to light this tank? Thanks!

sirreal63 · 05/13/2013, 08:01 AM

A single 250 watt MH in a Large reflector designed for spread is the easiest way. You can add LED, T5 or VHO to supplement if wanted. My tank is 40x40x17 and I use a pair of 150 watt MH with 2-24" VHO SuperActinitcs.

ANFPO · 05/13/2013, 08:14 AM

A single 400 watt Radium Metal Halide bulb on European Spec ballast (or even HQI or 430w Mercury Vapor, or Taiwanese pot ballast) using a LumenMax full-sized (not the Elite) reflector. This gave me perfect coverage with the bulb hung 10-12" above the water surface on a 36'x36'x18' tank. I grew many full sized colonies from frags using this set up. Initial cost is waaaaaaay cheaper than LED's. Bulb replacement is only $70 per 8 months since you only have to replace 1 bulb vs at least 6 lamps if you're using T5's.

ANFPO · 05/13/2013, 08:17 AM

by the way, no chiller, ambient temperature kept at 78 F via air conditioner (live in florida) and humidity less than 50% via dehumidifier which i already had. Aquarium temp 79 during the peak of the photoperiod. Ran for 8 hours.

Hoodrich · 05/13/2013, 08:37 AM

Thanks for input guys. Any led experts want to give suggestions? Currently I'm running a 150 hqi geissman infinity 24" pennant with 2 t5's is this enough light for sps?

sirreal63 · 05/13/2013, 08:39 AM

Yes because of the short tank but you will not get enough spread to cover the whole tank. At the most you can cover a 24x24" area with that light and have enough for sps.

Hoodrich · 05/13/2013, 08:41 AM

So basically I would just need to place my sps in areas with decent par in the tank? I'm looking at a single radion x30 pro. Wondering if its worth the money.

sirreal63 · 05/13/2013, 08:43 AM

It won't be any better than what you currently have, it just costs a lot more.

Hoodrich · 05/13/2013, 09:53 AM

Thanks for the input.

Hoodrich · 05/13/2013, 10:04 AM

Any other suggestions? T5's? Led's? Ty in advance.

Andyf30 · 05/13/2013, 10:38 AM

Suprised noones suggested ATI yet. ATI 36" fixture would be great, or even one of the 24" fixtures with more bulbs would work if hung the right height. They're as proven as metal halide as far as growing sps

sirreal63 · 05/13/2013, 10:50 AM

The problem with T5 is it will take a lot of bulbs to cover a 36x36 area and bulb costs start to become an issue. No doubt they will do the job but coverage will be harder.

plainrt82 · 05/14/2013, 09:29 PM

Im also trying to figure out what to use to light my 36x36x27 cube.I would like a single halide but hear so many mixed things on this.

sirreal63 · 05/14/2013, 09:48 PM

You can do it, use a single 400 in a large reflector designed for spread. With the 27" height you may want the extra power of the 400 but a good 250 would work as well.

plainrt82 · 05/15/2013, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirreal63

You can do it, use a single 400 in a large reflector designed for spread. With the 27" height you may want the extra power of the 400 but a good 250 would work as well.

I value your thoughts as been searching this topic and see your post often.I would like to try a radium in either 250 or 400 but also so many mixed thoughts on what ballast works best and has me lost.Im also open to other bulbs that wouldnt need added actinics.Does anyone know how well the hamilton Cayman Sun Mogul reflectors work on bigger tanks?

sirreal63 · 05/15/2013, 06:45 PM

You would be better off with the Cabu Sun large, it will give better spread IIRC, might be a good idea to contact them and let them know the dimensions, my meds are messing with my memory. As far as color, I like the 400 watt Radiums on a regular 400 watt electronic ballast better than the 250 on a M80 ballast but that is just a preference on my part. Add a couple 36" VHO SuperActintics and it is a perfect color with either bulb, IMO. Remember the 400 watt Radium is actually a 360 watt bulb so of you want it to be a very blue color run the correct ballast, I think it is a M135, I will have to go look it up if you need to know.

plainrt82 · 05/17/2013, 06:02 PM

Went with a hamilton Cozumel Sun pendant.Its 20x20x9 and figured should give good spread and look good over tank yet without canopy.Cant wait to set up.

sirreal63 · 05/17/2013, 06:04 PM

Excellent, be sure and post up some pics.

plainrt82 · 05/18/2013, 11:15 PM

Will do.Thanks for your help guy.

05/13/2013, 07:45 AM	#1
Hoodrich Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 199	Help me light a 36x36x12 cube pls. I want it to be sps dominated. What is the best way to light this tank? Thanks!

05/13/2013, 08:01 AM	#2
sirreal63 Go Spurs Go!!! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Meadowlakes Texas Posts: 13,357	A single 250 watt MH in a Large reflector designed for spread is the easiest way. You can add LED, T5 or VHO to supplement if wanted. My tank is 40x40x17 and I use a pair of 150 watt MH with 2-24" VHO SuperActinitcs. __________________ Jack No One has ever been seriously injured by using the search function. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency. Current Tank Info: Reefing the Pentagon.

05/13/2013, 08:39 AM	#6
sirreal63 Go Spurs Go!!! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Meadowlakes Texas Posts: 13,357	Yes because of the short tank but you will not get enough spread to cover the whole tank. At the most you can cover a 24x24" area with that light and have enough for sps. __________________ Jack No One has ever been seriously injured by using the search function. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency. Current Tank Info: Reefing the Pentagon.

05/13/2013, 08:43 AM	#8
sirreal63 Go Spurs Go!!! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Meadowlakes Texas Posts: 13,357	It won't be any better than what you currently have, it just costs a lot more. __________________ Jack No One has ever been seriously injured by using the search function. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency. Current Tank Info: Reefing the Pentagon.

05/13/2013, 10:38 AM	#11
Andyf30 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Maine and Florida Posts: 675	Suprised noones suggested ATI yet. ATI 36" fixture would be great, or even one of the 24" fixtures with more bulbs would work if hung the right height. They're as proven as metal halide as far as growing sps __________________ Nothing but a FW tank owner now :/

05/13/2013, 08:14 AM	#3
ANFPO Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Doral, FL Posts: 188	A single 400 watt Radium Metal Halide bulb on European Spec ballast (or even HQI or 430w Mercury Vapor, or Taiwanese pot ballast) using a LumenMax full-sized (not the Elite) reflector. This gave me perfect coverage with the bulb hung 10-12" above the water surface on a 36'x36'x18' tank. I grew many full sized colonies from frags using this set up. Initial cost is waaaaaaay cheaper than LED's. Bulb replacement is only $70 per 8 months since you only have to replace 1 bulb vs at least 6 lamps if you're using T5's.

05/13/2013, 08:17 AM	#4
ANFPO Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Doral, FL Posts: 188	by the way, no chiller, ambient temperature kept at 78 F via air conditioner (live in florida) and humidity less than 50% via dehumidifier which i already had. Aquarium temp 79 during the peak of the photoperiod. Ran for 8 hours.

05/13/2013, 08:37 AM	#5
Hoodrich Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 199	Thanks for input guys. Any led experts want to give suggestions? Currently I'm running a 150 hqi geissman infinity 24" pennant with 2 t5's is this enough light for sps?

05/13/2013, 08:41 AM	#7
Hoodrich Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 199	So basically I would just need to place my sps in areas with decent par in the tank? I'm looking at a single radion x30 pro. Wondering if its worth the money.

05/13/2013, 09:53 AM	#9
Hoodrich Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 199	Thanks for the input.

05/13/2013, 10:04 AM	#10
Hoodrich Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 199	Any other suggestions? T5's? Led's? Ty in advance.

05/13/2013, 10:50 AM	#12
sirreal63 Go Spurs Go!!! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Meadowlakes Texas Posts: 13,357	The problem with T5 is it will take a lot of bulbs to cover a 36x36 area and bulb costs start to become an issue. No doubt they will do the job but coverage will be harder. __________________ Jack No One has ever been seriously injured by using the search function. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency. Current Tank Info: Reefing the Pentagon.

05/14/2013, 09:29 PM	#13
plainrt82 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 40	Im also trying to figure out what to use to light my 36x36x27 cube.I would like a single halide but hear so many mixed things on this.

05/14/2013, 09:48 PM	#14
sirreal63 Go Spurs Go!!! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Meadowlakes Texas Posts: 13,357	You can do it, use a single 400 in a large reflector designed for spread. With the 27" height you may want the extra power of the 400 but a good 250 would work as well. __________________ Jack No One has ever been seriously injured by using the search function. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency. Current Tank Info: Reefing the Pentagon.

05/15/2013, 06:45 PM	#16
sirreal63 Go Spurs Go!!! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Meadowlakes Texas Posts: 13,357	You would be better off with the Cabu Sun large, it will give better spread IIRC, might be a good idea to contact them and let them know the dimensions, my meds are messing with my memory. As far as color, I like the 400 watt Radiums on a regular 400 watt electronic ballast better than the 250 on a M80 ballast but that is just a preference on my part. Add a couple 36" VHO SuperActintics and it is a perfect color with either bulb, IMO. Remember the 400 watt Radium is actually a 360 watt bulb so of you want it to be a very blue color run the correct ballast, I think it is a M135, I will have to go look it up if you need to know. __________________ Jack No One has ever been seriously injured by using the search function. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency. Current Tank Info: Reefing the Pentagon.

05/17/2013, 06:02 PM	#17
plainrt82 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 40	Went with a hamilton Cozumel Sun pendant.Its 20x20x9 and figured should give good spread and look good over tank yet without canopy.Cant wait to set up.

05/17/2013, 06:04 PM	#18
sirreal63 Go Spurs Go!!! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Meadowlakes Texas Posts: 13,357	Excellent, be sure and post up some pics. __________________ Jack No One has ever been seriously injured by using the search function. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency. Current Tank Info: Reefing the Pentagon.

05/18/2013, 11:15 PM	#19
plainrt82 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 40	Will do.Thanks for your help guy.