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10/18/2007, 08:00 PM
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#1 |
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Moved On
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Cantonment, FL
Posts: 539
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Question for you guys/girls who know what you are talking about.
OK, so I bought a 125 gallon 6 ft tank about a month ago. This tank had lots of goodies with it, one of which was a canopy with 2 36 inch Nova Extreme T-5 HO units with 4 bulbs each. These units are due for new lights really soon and instead of buying lights I decided to just go ahead and upgrade to metal halides. I know that I want to be able to grow any coral I want without having to worry about lighting, the problem is that I don't know (or really understand) anything about these lights(different set ups, how to set them up, too much too little, does brand matter, bulbs, etc.) I can read it myself but reading is completely different from hearing it along with experienceAny help will truly be appreciated.
Thanks i advance, Chris |
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10/18/2007, 11:58 PM
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#2 |
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Moved On
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Cantonment, FL
Posts: 539
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up
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10/19/2007, 12:42 AM
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#3 |
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Moved On
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,847
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do you have a hood or are you looking for a finished fixture? also what corals do you have in your tank
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10/19/2007, 01:07 AM
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#4 |
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Moved On
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Cantonment, FL
Posts: 539
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Yeah, I have a hood.
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10/19/2007, 05:05 AM
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#5 |
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It's what it's
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: 41° 2' 45" N 85° 8' 43" W
Posts: 7,579
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I have 400 watt MH on my 180 and think they are way too strong for most of my corals. I would go with 250 watt if I did it over.
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Freed Current Tank Info: 180gal(1120 watts of MH/VHO light), 60gal "sump", Deltec 601 calcium reactor, Euro Reef CS8-3+ skimmer, 20 gallon QT |
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10/19/2007, 05:37 AM
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#6 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: TotallyLostItville
Posts: 781
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Two 250 watt would be satisfactory except with a deeper tank. When the height gets up to and beyond 30 inch then 400 watt is needed. Here is information on MH. http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-03/sj/index.php And here is a link which will allow you to visually determine what bulbs you think are appealing. http://chrismorris.ca/250wcolour/
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The Gerson Diet saves lives! May everyone be happy, May everyone be free from misery, May no one ever be separated from their happiness, May everyone have equanimity, free from hatred and attachment. Current Tank Info: Down to a 15 g from a 600g system. Nano is whole different ballgame. Last edited by FunkieReefJunkie; 10/19/2007 at 05:42 AM. |
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10/19/2007, 10:32 AM
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#7 |
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Moved On
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Cantonment, FL
Posts: 539
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From you guys experience, what halides do you use, why do you use it, etc
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10/19/2007, 10:47 AM
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#8 |
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Premium Member
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Lewiston Idaho
Posts: 1,131
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I like my 250 MH 14K over my 270 and 135 gal reef tanks. I have tried the 6.5 and 10k bulbs also. I have one 20k over the middle of my 270 and it is very blue.
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Charter member of the Trial and Error Club, when that doesn't work ask the stupid question here on RC to get an intelligent answer. Current Tank Info: 270Reef w/Chrysurus Angel,Vlamingi Tang, Atlantic Blue Tang, Dispar Anthias, Sargassum Trigger |
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10/19/2007, 06:47 PM
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#9 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: newalbany In
Posts: 404
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i personaly ran 2- 400w halides over my old 125 wich was predominantly softies and everything flourished greatly. the key with this is that the lights were 10 inches above the water with a fan blowing to keep it cool. imo there is no such thing as overlighting a tank, unless you are overheating it, even then fans and chillers will compensate that. i am currently running 3-400w and 2-250w halides all 20k XM bulbs and it is not too blue the XM bulbs are the key there, as i have seen lots of other 20k bulbs that were way too blue. actually i am actually thinking of adding four 4ft vho actinics for more blue. just my opinion good luck
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there is always more than one right way of doing things! Current Tank Info: 5.5 foot 216g starphire sps tank at home, 8 ft softy tank at work |
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