what mh light for a 29 gal tank

purebullet417 · 12/06/2006, 05:19 PM

what metal haliade light should i get for the 29 gallon tank im getting for xmas i would prefer it to be a fixture or a retro should it be 150 or 250w ect the dims of the tank r 30x12x18

vishboy · 12/06/2006, 05:24 PM

I would also consider T5, since MH puts out so much heat.

purebullet417 · 12/06/2006, 05:38 PM

i dont realy like t5s iv seen them and im just not a fan of them im more for mh lighting so any sugestions

purebullet417 · 12/06/2006, 06:50 PM

bump

purebullet417 · 12/06/2006, 09:09 PM

bump

JeffReef · 12/06/2006, 09:20 PM

A 150w MH should be fine. A chiller is also recommended as your water volume is low. Your tank could heat up quickly.

seacowboy · 12/06/2006, 10:51 PM

depends on what you would like to grow.

The ice cap 175 and the iwasaki 15 K is a great combo with tons of par

FlipFlops24/7 · 12/07/2006, 12:23 PM

I'm debating on putting 1x150W Metal Halide and 2x96watt PCs on my 40 gallon breeder(44 effective gallons), which has a 29 gallon sump(16.1 usable gallons).

Would I need a chiller?

smp · 12/07/2006, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by seacowboy
depends on what you would like to grow.

The ice cap 175 and the iwasaki 15 K is a great combo with tons of par

That's what I'm running over my 29 gallon tank and if I could do it again I would go for a 250 watt setup, DE or SE depends on if you want open top with a pendant or canopy. Both SE and DE will provide more than ample light and the 250 watt setup will give you lots of options for bulbs. Also, with a 250 if and when you upgrade you will be able to keep your lighting for the new tank instead of buying again.

Take it from a guy who runs MH over his 29.
I run fans in my canopy and have no heat issues BTW. I think people over-estimate how much heat problems you can actually have, with a couple of simple fans it's no problem. I suspect with a pendant you wouldn't even need fans and if you did it's cheap and easy to do.

If I could do it again I would get a 250 watt icecap ballast with a pendant, my preference is for higher kelvin bulbs so a 14k pheonix or 20k XM.

edit: I'll add that for my frag tank (24x24x8) I got what I described above, icecap 250 with a 20k xm in a sunlight supply ROIII pendant.

175 is a waste of money and you will have limited bulb options. Having too little light means buying new equipment, having too much light is not a problem, that is a 'problem' much easier dealt with.

I agree with your T5 sentiments as well. While they may be bright and everything, I prefer the aesthetic of MH.

purebullet417 · 12/07/2006, 07:24 PM

im leaning twards a 250w retro in a canopy or put it in a pendent not sure yet

alienz · 12/07/2006, 08:06 PM

I have an old 175 watt pendant over mine. No heat issues with it 6-8" from the surface.

12/06/2006, 05:19 PM	#1
purebullet417 Rimless Reef Club Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: long island ny Posts: 1,509	what mh light for a 29 gal tank what metal haliade light should i get for the 29 gallon tank im getting for xmas i would prefer it to be a fixture or a retro should it be 150 or 250w ect the dims of the tank r 30x12x18

12/06/2006, 05:38 PM	#3
purebullet417 Rimless Reef Club Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: long island ny Posts: 1,509	i dont realy like t5s iv seen them and im just not a fan of them im more for mh lighting so any sugestions __________________ My 57 Gallon Rimless Build Thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2341582 Current Tank Info: 57 Gallon Rimless

12/06/2006, 06:50 PM	#4
purebullet417 Rimless Reef Club Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: long island ny Posts: 1,509	bump __________________ My 57 Gallon Rimless Build Thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2341582 Current Tank Info: 57 Gallon Rimless

12/06/2006, 09:09 PM	#5
purebullet417 Rimless Reef Club Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: long island ny Posts: 1,509	bump __________________ My 57 Gallon Rimless Build Thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2341582 Current Tank Info: 57 Gallon Rimless

12/07/2006, 12:23 PM	#8
FlipFlops24/7 I'd tap that glass Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Neenah, WI Posts: 1,247	I'm debating on putting 1x150W Metal Halide and 2x96watt PCs on my 40 gallon breeder(44 effective gallons), which has a 29 gallon sump(16.1 usable gallons). Would I need a chiller? __________________ T.J. Current Tank Info: 40g Breeder with 29g sump. 1x150w 10K MH HQI & 2x96w PC actinics

12/06/2006, 05:24 PM	#2
vishboy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: MO Posts: 676	I would also consider T5, since MH puts out so much heat.

12/06/2006, 09:20 PM	#6
JeffReef Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Natomas Park Sacramento, CA Posts: 850	A 150w MH should be fine. A chiller is also recommended as your water volume is low. Your tank could heat up quickly.

12/06/2006, 10:51 PM	#7
seacowboy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: California Posts: 85	depends on what you would like to grow. The ice cap 175 and the iwasaki 15 K is a great combo with tons of par

12/07/2006, 07:24 PM	#10
purebullet417 Rimless Reef Club Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: long island ny Posts: 1,509	im leaning twards a 250w retro in a canopy or put it in a pendent not sure yet __________________ My 57 Gallon Rimless Build Thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2341582 Current Tank Info: 57 Gallon Rimless

12/07/2006, 08:06 PM	#11
alienz Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: NJ Posts: 97	I have an old 175 watt pendant over mine. No heat issues with it 6-8" from the surface.