Lights for a 46 bow

need2no · 01/19/2007, 09:13 PM

Would 2 sm MHs be to much along with a vho for a 46 bow ? If so what would work well.

shag26272 · 01/19/2007, 09:34 PM

try this just build your own on here if youre gonna use a retrofit, I would use the 250w MH and the actinic VHO's

http://hellolights.com/36builityour.html

JamesJR · 01/19/2007, 09:43 PM

You could use metal halides if you wanted, but T5 would be more than enough for a tank that size and you could keep any sps or clam you wanted if you got the right fixture. The bulbs last longer, burn cooler and use a lot less electricity.

If I am not mistaken, isn't the 46 gallon bow front about 36 inches long? If you used 1 metal halide bulb, you would have to get a good reflector other wise the one bulb wouldn't light the tank very evenly. If you used metal halide, I would probably use 2x175s and cut out the actinic. If you get the right bulbs you don't need actinic.
I have used Metal halide/VHO in combination before and I love the look myself but I really think you could do with less. T-5 would be my personal choice.

need2no · 01/19/2007, 09:54 PM

one 250w or 2 X 250w MH + one VHO

need2no · 01/19/2007, 09:58 PM

T-5s how many & what all would I need to get it going. I want to get a crocea clam or 2 so I want to make sure I have plenty of light for them. Can you tell me what exactly I would need to make it myself

JamesJR · 01/19/2007, 10:07 PM

You probably wouldn't need 250 watt fixtures, as 175 watt moguls or 150 watt HQI would more than do it.

On the T-5, I would get a fixture that has at least 4 bulbs. The 36 inch bulbs are 39 watts each.

need2no · 01/19/2007, 11:53 PM

But thats only 160watts

JamesJR · 01/20/2007, 12:17 AM

Wattage doesn't really have all that much to do with it. MH use lots of energy, but much of that energy is converted to heat. T-5 are more efficient at converting the energy they use to produce light so they don't need to have the same wattage. Think of T-5 like being VHO, only they are a lot skinnier so that you can mount more of them on top of your tank. Also T-5 is very small, like 5/16 of an inch in diameter so it is easier to mount good reflectors over them, which is crucial.

Dig these tanks, all powered exclussively by t-5.
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...totm/index.php

this tank is almost exclussively sps and runs soley off of t-5.
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...totm/index.php

Here is another tank powered off of dual metal halides, a 40 gallon breeder.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...totm/index.php

Hope this helps.

need2no · 01/20/2007, 12:44 AM

here is what the Guy said about the lights on his tank. The first tank link you posted.

Three 14K marine white 39-watt T5 tubes 9:00am - 9:00pm
Two Coral Star 30-watt actinic tubes 8:30am - 9:30pm

When planning the lighting scheme I knew I would be housing mainly large-polyped stony corals, most of which I know don't require very intense lighting.

I want 1 or 2 clams & SPS corals. I need the intence lighting.

ordy1 · 01/20/2007, 10:34 PM

I have a 46 gallon AGA Bowed tank. Setting up slowly but surely. Built a hood out of plywood. Contains 2 PFO 175 watt halides and two T-5 actinics. Squeezed in two 3 inch fans on each end of the hood. So far so good.

Can't wait to get the tank going so's I can relate all the horror stories to you guys.

kau_cinta_ku · 01/21/2007, 05:08 AM

i run 4 39 watt T5's over my 46 bow powered by an icecap ballast and keep everything in the tank from softies to SPS and all are doing great

Icefire · 01/21/2007, 11:21 AM

Go with 4xT5 with individual reflector

PPi · 06/02/2007, 12:13 PM

http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/cat...61b4398f59e19e

Check this 36" 5 bulb T5 kit out. I would recommend these 5 bulbs installed in this exact pattern.

1-Aquaz Blue Pro 39 watt
2-Aquaz Ocean Pro 39 watt
3-Aquaz Sun Pro 39 watt
4-Aquaz Blue Pro 39 watt
5-Aquaz Ocean Pro 39 watt

Enjoy.

01/19/2007, 09:13 PM	#1
need2no Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 62	Lights for a 46 bow Would 2 sm MHs be to much along with a vho for a 46 bow ? If so what would work well. __________________ need2no

01/19/2007, 09:34 PM	#2
shag26272 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 3,088	try this just build your own on here if youre gonna use a retrofit, I would use the 250w MH and the actinic VHO's http://hellolights.com/36builityour.html __________________ .

01/19/2007, 09:43 PM	#3
JamesJR Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 2,733	You could use metal halides if you wanted, but T5 would be more than enough for a tank that size and you could keep any sps or clam you wanted if you got the right fixture. The bulbs last longer, burn cooler and use a lot less electricity. If I am not mistaken, isn't the 46 gallon bow front about 36 inches long? If you used 1 metal halide bulb, you would have to get a good reflector other wise the one bulb wouldn't light the tank very evenly. If you used metal halide, I would probably use 2x175s and cut out the actinic. If you get the right bulbs you don't need actinic. I have used Metal halide/VHO in combination before and I love the look myself but I really think you could do with less. T-5 would be my personal choice. __________________ Just when I thought you couldn't be any dumber you go and do something like this....And totally redeem yourself! Current Tank Info: 20 gallon

01/19/2007, 09:54 PM	#4
need2no Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 62	one 250w or 2 X 250w MH + one VHO __________________ need2no

01/19/2007, 09:58 PM	#5
need2no Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 62	T-5s how many & what all would I need to get it going. I want to get a crocea clam or 2 so I want to make sure I have plenty of light for them. Can you tell me what exactly I would need to make it myself __________________ need2no

01/19/2007, 10:07 PM	#6
JamesJR Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 2,733	You probably wouldn't need 250 watt fixtures, as 175 watt moguls or 150 watt HQI would more than do it. On the T-5, I would get a fixture that has at least 4 bulbs. The 36 inch bulbs are 39 watts each. __________________ Just when I thought you couldn't be any dumber you go and do something like this....And totally redeem yourself! Current Tank Info: 20 gallon

01/19/2007, 11:53 PM	#7
need2no Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 62	But thats only 160watts __________________ need2no

01/20/2007, 12:17 AM	#8
JamesJR Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 2,733	Wattage doesn't really have all that much to do with it. MH use lots of energy, but much of that energy is converted to heat. T-5 are more efficient at converting the energy they use to produce light so they don't need to have the same wattage. Think of T-5 like being VHO, only they are a lot skinnier so that you can mount more of them on top of your tank. Also T-5 is very small, like 5/16 of an inch in diameter so it is easier to mount good reflectors over them, which is crucial. Dig these tanks, all powered exclussively by t-5. http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...totm/index.php this tank is almost exclussively sps and runs soley off of t-5. http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...totm/index.php Here is another tank powered off of dual metal halides, a 40 gallon breeder. http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...totm/index.php Hope this helps. __________________ Just when I thought you couldn't be any dumber you go and do something like this....And totally redeem yourself! Current Tank Info: 20 gallon

01/20/2007, 12:44 AM	#9
need2no Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 62	here is what the Guy said about the lights on his tank. The first tank link you posted. Three 14K marine white 39-watt T5 tubes 9:00am - 9:00pm Two Coral Star 30-watt actinic tubes 8:30am - 9:30pm When planning the lighting scheme I knew I would be housing mainly large-polyped stony corals, most of which I know don't require very intense lighting. I want 1 or 2 clams & SPS corals. I need the intence lighting. __________________ need2no

01/20/2007, 10:34 PM	#10
ordy1 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: new jersey Posts: 425	I have a 46 gallon AGA Bowed tank. Setting up slowly but surely. Built a hood out of plywood. Contains 2 PFO 175 watt halides and two T-5 actinics. Squeezed in two 3 inch fans on each end of the hood. So far so good. Can't wait to get the tank going so's I can relate all the horror stories to you guys.

01/21/2007, 05:08 AM	#11
kau_cinta_ku Moved On Join Date: May 2005 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 8,669	i run 4 39 watt T5's over my 46 bow powered by an icecap ballast and keep everything in the tank from softies to SPS and all are doing great

01/21/2007, 11:21 AM	#12
Icefire Seasoned reefer Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: In Quebec, Canada Posts: 3,653	Go with 4xT5 with individual reflector __________________ Temp 80F, PH 8.5-8.0, Alk 6.8-7.2, Ca 430, Mg 1700, NO3 0-0.25, PO4 0.04, 34.4 PPT Lights @ 100% all others, 35% White Current Tank Info: 60g Cube, 120lbs live rocks, Hydra52 2x120W, 2 MP40+ 1 MP10 @ 70%, Phosban 550 GFO+Carbon, 200W Heater, SWC Skimmer, Kalk ATO, 150 gpd RODI

06/02/2007, 12:13 PM	#13
PPi Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 136	http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/cat...61b4398f59e19e Check this 36" 5 bulb T5 kit out. I would recommend these 5 bulbs installed in this exact pattern. 1-Aquaz Blue Pro 39 watt 2-Aquaz Ocean Pro 39 watt 3-Aquaz Sun Pro 39 watt 4-Aquaz Blue Pro 39 watt 5-Aquaz Ocean Pro 39 watt Enjoy.