My Lighting Setup Pole. Please Vote!

Felixc395 · 06/16/2010, 08:46 PM

Just simply choose what metal halide lighting option would be best for my 60 gallon setup (24'' by 24'' by 24'') for SPS dominated and a few scattered LPS and zoanthids here and there.

Felixc395 · 06/16/2010, 08:53 PM

Almost forgot.

Thanks everyone!

Nanook · 06/16/2010, 10:17 PM

This thread has been moved to the current forum.

Felixc395 · 06/17/2010, 06:34 AM

Bump

RokleM · 06/17/2010, 07:20 AM

Option #5, 250w SE Radium on a HQI/adjustable ballast without any supplementation... Unless there is a reason you really wanted "HQI" (reading/assuming you mean DE).

mrbigshot · 06/17/2010, 07:36 AM

24" deep sps tank, 400w

Felixc395 · 06/17/2010, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RokleM

Option #5, 250w SE Radium on a HQI/adjustable ballast without any supplementation... Unless there is a reason you really wanted "HQI" (reading/assuming you mean DE).

I do like the supplementary T5's fir the daylight cycle effect. I'm not very experience in MH so I don't know what's the difference between HQI and DE? And also you say ''adjustable'' ballast? Can you adjust the wattage or what?

dendrodude · 06/17/2010, 02:53 PM

DE= double end

Felixc395 · 06/17/2010, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrbigshot

24" deep sps tank, 400w

Wouldn't this be a bit much light? Just what I was thinking. Anybody else agree?

TreyK · 06/17/2010, 05:28 PM

400w forsure. Withh supp T5 HO

Felixc395 · 06/17/2010, 05:50 PM

Could someone tell me why the third choice is a good one since the majority is voting for it?

And TreyK, why would 400 watts be so good?

Thanks!

Felixc395 · 06/17/2010, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dendrodude

DE= double end

Got it now. Makes sense now. Thanks. Anyone willing to answer my questions in the previous post? I don't want to sound annoying and uptight I just need to know which fixture is best so I can hopefully order it soon!

GQuinn · 06/17/2010, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RokleM

Option #5, 250w SE Radium on a HQI/adjustable ballast without any supplementation... Unless there is a reason you really wanted "HQI" (reading/assuming you mean DE).

I agree, this would be perfect with a good reflector.

Gary

Felixc395 · 06/17/2010, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GQuinn

I agree, this would be perfect with a good reflector.

Gary

Really? That's good to hear. I like the 250 watt and T5 (I really like the combo) option and most of you seem like it's the right choice too but I better make sure with some more opinions. Keep the votes and posts coming!

Thanks everyone so far!

Nanook · 06/18/2010, 02:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Felixc395

Could someone tell me why the third choice is a good one since the majority is voting for it?

And TreyK, why would 400 watts be so good?

Thanks!

24" tanks will do great with 250 watt and T5 supplementation. Acropora will get beautiful coloration and growth. While some might "prefer" 400 watt bulbs on this height aquarium, it certainly is not necessary and may even be detrimental due to the high amout of heat from that wattage bulb. Unfortunately, the 400s will require either a chiller or extreme evaporation via fans blowing which leads to salt creep and increased RODI bills. If it was my SPS tank I would go for what over 70% of our experienced members opted for as well

Felixc395 · 06/18/2010, 10:50 AM

Great advice Nanook (and sorry for posting this thread in the wrong forum), I believe that option three is the right choice and is my personal favorite.

Now this is my first MH light so I'm not sure what I should do. I'm going to get a 24'' Belize Sun (I believe Hamilton) fixture. Is this a good fixture? Does it matter how high above the tank I put it or not? Also what brand of bulbs are good and when should I
change the bulbs.

Thanks!

usefulidiot213 · 06/18/2010, 04:42 PM

If your water is clear, and you have good reflectors. 400W is just over kill. There is really no reason for 400W until your at the 30" depth mark. Besides that your just pumping out more heat & Money for your electric bill.

usefulidiot213 · 06/18/2010, 04:49 PM

If it was me I would do this with a 250W DE Phoenix MH 14k.

http://www.reefspecialty.com/Lightin...duct_info.html

E.intheC · 06/18/2010, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nanook

24" tanks will do great with 250 watt and T5 supplementation. Acropora will get beautiful coloration and growth. While some might "prefer" 400 watt bulbs on this height aquarium, it certainly is not necessary and may even be detrimental due to the high amout of heat from that wattage bulb. Unfortunately, the 400s will require either a chiller or extreme evaporation via fans blowing which leads to salt creep and increased RODI bills. If it was my SPS tank I would go for what over 70% of our experienced members opted for as well

+1. Couldn't have said it better. (Except for adding that I have a 250 watt bulb on the 24x24x18height tank and feel like it's too much light)

Hope that helps.

Felixc395 · 06/18/2010, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E.intheC

+1. Couldn't have said it better. (Except for adding that I have a 250 watt bulb on the 24x24x18height tank and feel like it's too much light)

Hope that helps.

Thanks for agreeing!

View Poll Results: What's the best lighting option for my tank setup?
Less light than 150 watt HQI combo	1	2.22%
150 watt HQI and 4 24 watt T5 HO	9	20.00%
250 watt HQI and 2 24 watt T5 HO	33	73.33%
More light than 250 watt HQI combo	2	4.44%
Voters: 45. You may not vote on this poll

06/16/2010, 08:46 PM	#1
Felixc395 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 1,612	My Lighting Setup Pole. Please Vote! Just simply choose what metal halide lighting option would be best for my 60 gallon setup (24'' by 24'' by 24'') for SPS dominated and a few scattered LPS and zoanthids here and there.

06/16/2010, 10:17 PM	#3
Nanook Ancient Eskimo Legend Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Saint Louis, MO Posts: 41,852 Blog Entries: 11	This thread has been moved to the current forum. __________________ The wind blew, the chit flew, and then they came two by two. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Current Tank Info: 375g Tanganyikan Tank & 470g mixed reef

06/18/2010, 04:42 PM	#17
usefulidiot213 Bryan H. Join Date: May 2007 Location: 40th St. & Thunderbird Posts: 1,348	If your water is clear, and you have good reflectors. 400W is just over kill. There is really no reason for 400W until your at the 30" depth mark. Besides that your just pumping out more heat & Money for your electric bill. __________________ "I would rather be lucky then good." Bryan H. Current Tank Info: 120 AGA- 4x2x2 Mixed Reef. 2 MP40s, Vertex IN-180 Skimmer, RKL Controller for temp control and light timing. 8x 54 Watt T5 lighting.

06/18/2010, 04:49 PM	#18
usefulidiot213 Bryan H. Join Date: May 2007 Location: 40th St. & Thunderbird Posts: 1,348	If it was me I would do this with a 250W DE Phoenix MH 14k. http://www.reefspecialty.com/Lightin...duct_info.html __________________ "I would rather be lucky then good." Bryan H. Current Tank Info: 120 AGA- 4x2x2 Mixed Reef. 2 MP40s, Vertex IN-180 Skimmer, RKL Controller for temp control and light timing. 8x 54 Watt T5 lighting.

06/16/2010, 08:53 PM	#2
Felixc395 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 1,612	Almost forgot. Thanks everyone!

06/17/2010, 06:34 AM	#4
Felixc395 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 1,612	Bump

06/17/2010, 07:20 AM	#5
RokleM Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 9,687	Option #5, 250w SE Radium on a HQI/adjustable ballast without any supplementation... Unless there is a reason you really wanted "HQI" (reading/assuming you mean DE). __________________ -Eric-

06/17/2010, 07:36 AM	#6
mrbigshot Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: mn Posts: 387	24" deep sps tank, 400w

06/17/2010, 02:53 PM	#8
dendrodude Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 162	DE= double end

06/17/2010, 05:28 PM	#10
TreyK Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 596	400w forsure. Withh supp T5 HO

06/17/2010, 05:50 PM	#11
Felixc395 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 1,612	Could someone tell me why the third choice is a good one since the majority is voting for it? And TreyK, why would 400 watts be so good? Thanks!

06/18/2010, 10:50 AM	#16
Felixc395 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 1,612	Great advice Nanook (and sorry for posting this thread in the wrong forum), I believe that option three is the right choice and is my personal favorite. Now this is my first MH light so I'm not sure what I should do. I'm going to get a 24'' Belize Sun (I believe Hamilton) fixture. Is this a good fixture? Does it matter how high above the tank I put it or not? Also what brand of bulbs are good and when should I change the bulbs. Thanks!

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