Can i use a 36 inch hqi fixture on a 48 inch tank.

HELPLEASE · 05/01/2010, 11:09 AM

Can i use a 36 inch hqi fixture on a 48 inch tank? It would be used it for a mixed reef. It is a complete system with 1-150 watt metal halide and 2-39 watt t5 actinics.

Shane Hoffman · 05/01/2010, 11:24 AM

I use a 60 inch fixture on a 72 inch tank.. IMO it looks great. I have it so the bulbs are 8 inches off the water and it covers the whole tank.

GQuinn · 05/01/2010, 11:34 AM

You probably could do it, but I am not sure you will like it. I have a 24" long fixture with (4) T-5 and (1) 150 watt metal halide on a 36" long tank. I wished it had (2) halides instead of one as I notice my corals grow towards the halide in the center.

Gary

BryanS · 05/01/2010, 03:26 PM

I'm doing it until my AI lights arrive, and I don't like it at all.

Aquatics Elite · 05/01/2010, 07:31 PM

You will definitely need two halides to light that length of tank more effectively. 24" on each side is too much to expect decent coverage from a 150w lamp. A 36" fixture would be enough, but I would insist it be a twin mh.

05/01/2010, 11:09 AM	#1
HELPLEASE Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 7	Can i use a 36 inch hqi fixture on a 48 inch tank. Can i use a 36 inch hqi fixture on a 48 inch tank? It would be used it for a mixed reef. It is a complete system with 1-150 watt metal halide and 2-39 watt t5 actinics.

05/01/2010, 11:24 AM	#2
Shane Hoffman Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: 45 mins from Chicago Posts: 2,009	I use a 60 inch fixture on a 72 inch tank.. IMO it looks great. I have it so the bulbs are 8 inches off the water and it covers the whole tank. __________________ A wise man once said "Never play leap frog with a unicorn" Current Tank Info: 150 gallon glass with 20 gallon sump, 175lbs of coraline covered live rock, EuroReef skimmer rated for 250gal, 25watt Aqua UV sterilizer, Fluval FX5, Hamilton 3x250watt MH, 160 watt Blue actinic....Mixed reef

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05/01/2010, 11:34 AM	#3
GQuinn Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 982	You probably could do it, but I am not sure you will like it. I have a 24" long fixture with (4) T-5 and (1) 150 watt metal halide on a 36" long tank. I wished it had (2) halides instead of one as I notice my corals grow towards the halide in the center. Gary

05/01/2010, 03:26 PM	#4
BryanS Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: San Clemente Posts: 382	I'm doing it until my AI lights arrive, and I don't like it at all.

05/01/2010, 07:31 PM	#5
Aquatics Elite Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Toronto Posts: 33	You will definitely need two halides to light that length of tank more effectively. 24" on each side is too much to expect decent coverage from a 150w lamp. A 36" fixture would be enough, but I would insist it be a twin mh.