opinions on lighting my sps tank among others

coralfarmer84 · 02/18/2007, 07:41 PM

Lets start with the basics

310 gallon custom tank by glasscages. 25 inches tall, 30 wide, 8 feet long

I currently have 3 250 watt HQI aquamedics with 14K phoenix bulbs on the tank. the end two feet is still dark due to no lighting.

NOW THE QUESTION
I'm planning on upgrading my lighting to the new CURRENT OUTORBIT T5/HQI setups. I would have two 48 inch fixtures over the tank both consisting of two 250 watt 10K HQI bulbs and 4 54 watt actinic T5's. They also have moonlights, fans and such.

Do you guys think this is a good choice? I'm simply not satisfied with the color of my corals without any actinic supplement and the aquamedics I'm using now will be used for another application so its practical to get new lighting all together. I know nutrients should have something to do with color problems as my acros aren't browning just not coloring as they should be. Is this due to the lighting or is should i move a tunze to the other side of the tank (haven't done so cuz it would look ackward there).

some more specs

65 gallon sump fuge combo, with G4X by ASM skimmer, Korallin Calcium reactor 1502, sequence dart return and a 6100 and 6080 tunzes for flow.

The tank is a room divider so all flow is coming from overflow side of tank on 30 inch side (only pane not viewable)

last water check was as follows

Specific Gravity 1.026
Calcium 420
KH 4 (lack of water changes i'm guessing)
PH 8.3
Nitrate 0
Phosphate 0
Ammonia 0

I open to suggestions as i'm going to be getting lights this coming week and need opinions soon!

Horace · 02/18/2007, 10:42 PM

If you have eurobraced tank, go with 3x400w 20k SE with Lumenmax reflectors. If your tank isnt eurobraced, go with 4x400w 20k w/ Reef Optix 1 reflectors

250G · 02/19/2007, 07:01 AM

I would say regardless of the eurobracing situation go with the bigger reflectors. I use the lumanarc and they are spectacular, worth every penny, and one of the best upgrades I ever made (I had an existing fixture when I decided to buy them). If you don't you will be dissatisfied with your lighting when you see other people's larger reflectors in action.

If you are an SPS man, go with 4 lumanarcs on a 8' tank. I have 3 on my 6' and they are mint.

02/18/2007, 07:41 PM	#1
coralfarmer84 Moved On Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Naples Florida Posts: 1,267	opinions on lighting my sps tank among others Lets start with the basics 310 gallon custom tank by glasscages. 25 inches tall, 30 wide, 8 feet long I currently have 3 250 watt HQI aquamedics with 14K phoenix bulbs on the tank. the end two feet is still dark due to no lighting. NOW THE QUESTION I'm planning on upgrading my lighting to the new CURRENT OUTORBIT T5/HQI setups. I would have two 48 inch fixtures over the tank both consisting of two 250 watt 10K HQI bulbs and 4 54 watt actinic T5's. They also have moonlights, fans and such. Do you guys think this is a good choice? I'm simply not satisfied with the color of my corals without any actinic supplement and the aquamedics I'm using now will be used for another application so its practical to get new lighting all together. I know nutrients should have something to do with color problems as my acros aren't browning just not coloring as they should be. Is this due to the lighting or is should i move a tunze to the other side of the tank (haven't done so cuz it would look ackward there). some more specs 65 gallon sump fuge combo, with G4X by ASM skimmer, Korallin Calcium reactor 1502, sequence dart return and a 6100 and 6080 tunzes for flow. The tank is a room divider so all flow is coming from overflow side of tank on 30 inch side (only pane not viewable) last water check was as follows Specific Gravity 1.026 Calcium 420 KH 4 (lack of water changes i'm guessing) PH 8.3 Nitrate 0 Phosphate 0 Ammonia 0 I open to suggestions as i'm going to be getting lights this coming week and need opinions soon!

02/18/2007, 10:42 PM	#2
Horace Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 5,009	If you have eurobraced tank, go with 3x400w 20k SE with Lumenmax reflectors. If your tank isnt eurobraced, go with 4x400w 20k w/ Reef Optix 1 reflectors __________________ -Horace Pinker Current Tank Info: New 180g Mixed SPS Build in progress

02/19/2007, 07:01 AM	#3
250G Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,177	I would say regardless of the eurobracing situation go with the bigger reflectors. I use the lumanarc and they are spectacular, worth every penny, and one of the best upgrades I ever made (I had an existing fixture when I decided to buy them). If you don't you will be dissatisfied with your lighting when you see other people's larger reflectors in action. If you are an SPS man, go with 4 lumanarcs on a 8' tank. I have 3 on my 6' and they are mint. __________________ May 2007 TOTM Current Tank Info: 90G SPS Starphire peninsula