Lights for 110 Extra Tall

tangtang clown · 08/25/2009, 06:11 PM

A friend of mine needs lights for his 110 Extra Tall 48x18x31.
Would 2x24" 150watt MHs with T-5s be enough, or would he need 250watt MH's.
Thanks.

redfishsc · 08/25/2009, 06:22 PM

Depends on what he's going to grow. Softies and LPS would be fine with the 150's and 2 or 4 T5's. Perhaps even some SPS especially near the top third.

However, if he's wanting SPS and clams near the bottom, 250's would be much more fitting.

BTW howdy fellow NC reefer!

luv4paws2 · 08/25/2009, 08:02 PM

I have that tank with 2x150w sunpod, and 4x65w pc retrofit. I have a little of everything and it all does well with proper placement. Better reflectors like lumenmax 3 would help, if there is room.

Hal · 08/26/2009, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by luv4paws2
Better reflectors like lumenmax 3 would help, if there is room.

+1

I can't emphasize enough how much difference a good reflector will make. I run 250W MH's on my 30 inch deep tank (although I do have a 4 inch DSB) and on one side I have a spiderlight reflector while on the other I have a Lumenbright 3 reflector. The difference is so noticable that it's almost scary. The Lumenbright is bright, bright, bright, whereas the spiderlight (by comparison) looks like an overcast day.

tangtang clown · 08/26/2009, 12:36 PM

What up Redfish! Like the name. He is growing mostly LPS and softies for now. He is tight on money so he is thinking about using the lights from his 75, which is 4 by 110watt T-12 VHOs.
I am trying to talk him into MHs as I am upgrading from a 75 to a 125.

Since he and I are on a budget, we are both looking into Odyssea lights. We plan on upgrading bulbs and ballasts over time, but $99 for a 150watt MH with 2 T-5s sounds pretty good. He would need 2 b/c his tank is only 48" long. I am looking at a 72" fixture with 3x250 MHs and PCs.

I will start looking into other options, as far as reflectors, but I don't think I will be able to get a better deal than a 72" fixture for $490 shipped, unless you guys know something I don't.

Hal · 08/26/2009, 09:51 PM

If it was just the 150W MH's, I'd say you won't have enough light. I'm not sure how much difference the T-5's make.

I'd think that you need the higher powered bulbs to get light penetration at depth, but I could be all wet on this.

luther1200 · 08/26/2009, 10:45 PM

As long as your water quality is good you will be fine. I know a few people who run 150w over 30" tall tanks with no problem.

tangtang clown · 08/27/2009, 06:11 AM

thanks guys

turtleman9100 · 08/28/2009, 07:45 AM

I am doing this same tank with two 400 watt halides and two vhos. Perfect IMO. Still placement is very important in my setup. My tank is a mixed reef and everything grows great.

08/25/2009, 06:11 PM	#1
tangtang clown Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: The DUB, NC Posts: 2,711	Lights for 110 Extra Tall A friend of mine needs lights for his 110 Extra Tall 48x18x31. Would 2x24" 150watt MHs with T-5s be enough, or would he need 250watt MH's. Thanks. __________________ Mind over chatter.

08/25/2009, 06:22 PM	#2
redfishsc Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Wake Forest, NC Posts: 3,696	Depends on what he's going to grow. Softies and LPS would be fine with the 150's and 2 or 4 T5's. Perhaps even some SPS especially near the top third. However, if he's wanting SPS and clams near the bottom, 250's would be much more fitting. BTW howdy fellow NC reefer! __________________ "The measure of a life is not its duration but its donation." Corrie Ten Boom “The tyrant dies and his rule is over, the martyr dies and his rule begins” -- Søren Kierkegaard Current Tank Info: ghetto grad school reef.....11g rimless tank, 36X9X9, lit by Cree and Rebels scobbled together. Stocked mostly with free stuff I got from panhandling my fellow reefers.

08/25/2009, 08:02 PM	#3
luv4paws2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Lakeland, FL Posts: 612	I have that tank with 2x150w sunpod, and 4x65w pc retrofit. I have a little of everything and it all does well with proper placement. Better reflectors like lumenmax 3 would help, if there is room. __________________ If people are good only because they fear punishment, and hope for reward, then we are a sorry lot indeed. Albert Einstein Current Tank Info: 110 x-tall, 30 gal sump/fuge

08/26/2009, 12:36 PM	#5
tangtang clown Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: The DUB, NC Posts: 2,711	What up Redfish! Like the name. He is growing mostly LPS and softies for now. He is tight on money so he is thinking about using the lights from his 75, which is 4 by 110watt T-12 VHOs. I am trying to talk him into MHs as I am upgrading from a 75 to a 125. Since he and I are on a budget, we are both looking into Odyssea lights. We plan on upgrading bulbs and ballasts over time, but $99 for a 150watt MH with 2 T-5s sounds pretty good. He would need 2 b/c his tank is only 48" long. I am looking at a 72" fixture with 3x250 MHs and PCs. I will start looking into other options, as far as reflectors, but I don't think I will be able to get a better deal than a 72" fixture for $490 shipped, unless you guys know something I don't. __________________ Mind over chatter.

08/26/2009, 09:51 PM	#6
Hal Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Longmont, CO Posts: 1,889	If it was just the 150W MH's, I'd say you won't have enough light. I'm not sure how much difference the T-5's make. I'd think that you need the higher powered bulbs to get light penetration at depth, but I could be all wet on this. __________________ Some days it's not even worth chewing through the restraints. Current Tank Info: 250g starphire: 72x28x30, BeanAnimal drain with an oversized non-durso emergency drain, 4 inch DSB, 3x Reefbreeders Value LED fixtures, SWC/MSX 300A skimmer, Geo kalk reactor, 3 Vortechs w/bb, carbon reactor, and a RKL

08/26/2009, 10:45 PM	#7
luther1200 Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NJ, shore Posts: 4,376	As long as your water quality is good you will be fine. I know a few people who run 150w over 30" tall tanks with no problem. __________________ Matt, 65G reef tank Current Tank Info: 65g reef, mix of sps, lps, few softies. Hoping to upgrade within the year.

08/27/2009, 06:11 AM	#8
tangtang clown Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: The DUB, NC Posts: 2,711	thanks guys __________________ Mind over chatter.

08/28/2009, 07:45 AM	#9
turtleman9100 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Memphis, Tennessee Posts: 570	I am doing this same tank with two 400 watt halides and two vhos. Perfect IMO. Still placement is very important in my setup. My tank is a mixed reef and everything grows great. __________________ Let's make better mistakes tomorrow....................... Current Tank Info: 150 gallon tall mixed reef, 1/2 HP Chiller, Bubble King Mini 180, GEO 818cr