is this enough light or should I supplement?

corivus · 08/01/2008, 10:36 PM

So I have a 250w MH pendant driven by a icecap 250w ballast with a 14k hamilton bulb. I'm wondering if it'll be enough light for a 72g bowfront tank which is 48"Lx18"widest x24"tall or should i supplement with T5 lighting? it is currently on my 35 tall and seems to be to much light so i decided to upgrade my tank to a bowfront that i happened to get a deal on and am wondering if I should add more light.

I'm planning to have some sps mostly along with some softies towards the bottom.

vr697getta · 08/01/2008, 10:49 PM

the amount is ok
2X250 mh would be better
but just keep the sps close to the center under the light and they should be fine
is there a center brace this would cause problems if there was one

corivus · 08/02/2008, 08:31 PM

no center brace actually so no worries about that.

Entropy · 08/02/2008, 08:51 PM

I think you will be fine with the single halide but a additional actinic (VHO or T5) would be a nice touch. You are going to need a good reflector for the halide though to get the whole tank and only the middle will be the sweet spot for growth with the edges being low light/shaded.

corivus · 08/06/2008, 09:42 PM

yeah I was thinking I wanted to do maybe a few higher light corals in the middle and some lower light ones off to the side.

08/01/2008, 10:36 PM	#1
corivus Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Tempe, AZ Posts: 1,126	is this enough light or should I supplement? So I have a 250w MH pendant driven by a icecap 250w ballast with a 14k hamilton bulb. I'm wondering if it'll be enough light for a 72g bowfront tank which is 48"Lx18"widest x24"tall or should i supplement with T5 lighting? it is currently on my 35 tall and seems to be to much light so i decided to upgrade my tank to a bowfront that i happened to get a deal on and am wondering if I should add more light. I'm planning to have some sps mostly along with some softies towards the bottom.

08/02/2008, 08:51 PM	#4
Entropy Texas Reefer Join Date: May 2003 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 13,656	I think you will be fine with the single halide but a additional actinic (VHO or T5) would be a nice touch. You are going to need a good reflector for the halide though to get the whole tank and only the middle will be the sweet spot for growth with the edges being low light/shaded. __________________ Rich Overton 150G cube FOWLR, 30g sump, ReefKeeperII, 3x Koralia 1400's, QuiteOne 3000, Reef Octopus DNWB150, 4x 30w Par38 LED. Current Tank Info: 36x36x27 150g

08/01/2008, 10:49 PM	#2
vr697getta Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: white oak Posts: 1,974	the amount is ok 2X250 mh would be better but just keep the sps close to the center under the light and they should be fine is there a center brace this would cause problems if there was one

08/02/2008, 08:31 PM	#3
corivus Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Tempe, AZ Posts: 1,126	no center brace actually so no worries about that.

08/06/2008, 09:42 PM	#5
corivus Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Tempe, AZ Posts: 1,126	yeah I was thinking I wanted to do maybe a few higher light corals in the middle and some lower light ones off to the side.