which light for 37 cube

njp14333 · 05/14/2006, 07:24 PM

im in the process of planning out an oceanic 37 cube. i can't decide if i want to do t5's, halide pendant, or halide fixture with actinic supplement. whatever it is it has to be a fixture since i won't have a canopy. i plan to keep mainly lps/softies, along with a few sps and maybe a clam later on. any ideas?

rich415 · 05/15/2006, 01:07 AM

I'd go with a 150 watt MH pendant for LPS/Softies and a 250 Watt for SPS and Clam. You might get way with the 150 Watt with SPS and Clam but I'm not sure.

Blown 346 · 05/15/2006, 01:44 AM

I agree a 150 watt halide would do the trick, as long as the tank isnt too deep.

Ochi · 05/15/2006, 04:28 AM

I did on outer orbit 24" 1x150 HQI +2x65 actinic and moonlights, I'll let you know how it works out on my 37 gallon cube.

njp14333 · 05/15/2006, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Blown 346
I agree a 150 watt halide would do the trick, as long as the tank isnt too deep.

two questions:

1. with a pendant, id need a 14-15k bulb. don't they get really bad growth rate?

2. you think i would have any heat issues? (there will be a sump)

Anemonebuff · 05/15/2006, 07:42 AM

Heat issues will all depend on the room's ambient temperature. Between the pumps and the lighting my tank goes up 2-4 degrees from room temperature. Fans help control the temp. The evaporative cooling produced by aiming fans at the water surface compensates for the heat added by the lights/pumps in the summer. Halides do add more heat than t5 or VHO, but give off more intense and appealing(IMO) light.

14K Pheonix and Hamilton bulbs have decent PAR(good growth) and have excellent color IMO.

I use 10K XMs with NO actinic supplements and the growth since changing from 20Ks is significant. My tank looks very white with a very slight tinge of blue. It's all about personal preference.

Another word of advice is to get the strongest lights you can to start, it will save you a fortune, as you will probably want to upgrade later.

rich415 · 05/15/2006, 11:29 AM

I have the 14k Phoenix over my tank and the LPS growth has been pretty good. I have an electric ballast so my bulb burns a little too blue. I have two 10K 18 watt CF bulbs to actually bring more white to the tank. If you are already thinking of going SPS then you might as well go with the 250 watt. www.Hellolights.com was having a deal on 250 watt ballasts.

Blown 346 · 05/15/2006, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by njp14333
two questions:

1. with a pendant, id need a 14-15k bulb. don't they get really bad growth rate?

2. you think i would have any heat issues? (there will be a sump)

No they dont get bad growth rates, but the closer the kelvin is to the sun like 10K you will get better results.
I have te 14K's and I have excellent growth.

With a pendant no, You wont have heat issues. They heat up but they dont get real hot, you should be fine.

6stang9 · 05/16/2006, 12:26 PM

i hope im not breaking any rules but i am trying to get in touch with you. please pm me thank you

6stang9 · 05/16/2006, 02:52 PM

sent pm

05/14/2006, 07:24 PM	#1
njp14333 Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Cape Cod, MA Posts: 295	which light for 37 cube im in the process of planning out an oceanic 37 cube. i can't decide if i want to do t5's, halide pendant, or halide fixture with actinic supplement. whatever it is it has to be a fixture since i won't have a canopy. i plan to keep mainly lps/softies, along with a few sps and maybe a clam later on. any ideas? __________________ “Reality is just a crutch for people who can't cope with drugs.” - Robin Williams Current Tank Info: 40g In-Wall FOWLR, (soon to be a mixed reef), and a 28g Cube (mixed reef).

05/15/2006, 01:07 AM	#2
rich415 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 172	I'd go with a 150 watt MH pendant for LPS/Softies and a 250 Watt for SPS and Clam. You might get way with the 150 Watt with SPS and Clam but I'm not sure.

05/15/2006, 01:44 AM	#3
Blown 346 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Rockford, Illinois Posts: 6,596	I agree a 150 watt halide would do the trick, as long as the tank isnt too deep.

05/15/2006, 04:28 AM	#4
Ochi Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: CT Posts: 264	I did on outer orbit 24" 1x150 HQI +2x65 actinic and moonlights, I'll let you know how it works out on my 37 gallon cube.

05/15/2006, 07:42 AM	#6
Anemonebuff Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: LI,NY Posts: 3,877	Heat issues will all depend on the room's ambient temperature. Between the pumps and the lighting my tank goes up 2-4 degrees from room temperature. Fans help control the temp. The evaporative cooling produced by aiming fans at the water surface compensates for the heat added by the lights/pumps in the summer. Halides do add more heat than t5 or VHO, but give off more intense and appealing(IMO) light. 14K Pheonix and Hamilton bulbs have decent PAR(good growth) and have excellent color IMO. I use 10K XMs with NO actinic supplements and the growth since changing from 20Ks is significant. My tank looks very white with a very slight tinge of blue. It's all about personal preference. Another word of advice is to get the strongest lights you can to start, it will save you a fortune, as you will probably want to upgrade later.

05/15/2006, 11:29 AM	#7
rich415 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 172	I have the 14k Phoenix over my tank and the LPS growth has been pretty good. I have an electric ballast so my bulb burns a little too blue. I have two 10K 18 watt CF bulbs to actually bring more white to the tank. If you are already thinking of going SPS then you might as well go with the 250 watt. www.Hellolights.com was having a deal on 250 watt ballasts.

05/16/2006, 12:26 PM	#9
6stang9 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: ashburnham,ma Posts: 105	i hope im not breaking any rules but i am trying to get in touch with you. please pm me thank you

05/16/2006, 02:52 PM	#10
6stang9 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: ashburnham,ma Posts: 105	sent pm