First Post - Page 2

mata · 01/18/2014, 09:13 AM

Cutting corners is not a good idea as far this hobby is concerned. You will end up paying twice for upgrade.
This is my personal experience and it's wiser to learn from others mistakes.
All the best.

Comedy Fish · 01/19/2014, 10:51 AM

Went ahead and picked them up along with another 15 pounds of live rock. That puts me at 40lbs and the lights are VERY bright. I am going to have to find some way to hang them, though.

kingsofke · 01/19/2014, 11:54 PM

Metal halides are hobby standard for growing coral. The downside is the wattage, cost of bulb and heat production. If you were not going to grow corals you could have gone with T5 or taotronics but that's fine.
1. Make sure you know the exact age of bulbs. They change their spectrum in 6-9 months and you would start growing lot of algae in the tank.
2. Keep an eye on temp of the tanks. Corals and fishes hate temp swings. Even as low as 3-4 degree swing chronically can hurt them bad.
3. If you are not growing coral you could do away with one of them hung in the middle hung high enough to cover all of the tank and will also lessen heating of the tank. Closer the light hotter the tank.

I read through your earlier posts but it's easier to answer a more specific question.

Comedy Fish · 01/20/2014, 07:10 AM

How many hours a day would you recommend? I am roughly getting 7.2 wpg. Also...with that strong of lighting, how many inches above the waterline would you suggest?

Comedy Fish · 01/20/2014, 07:15 PM

Seeing as how no one wants to respond, I went ahead and did it myself. Hanged the halides, Hamilton Technologies 2x 150w, 9" above the water surface. Also, just found what appears to be a soft coral on my live rock. I am now up to 40lbs and I am happy with that.

Comedy Fish · 01/20/2014, 07:16 PM

smom1976 · 01/20/2014, 07:19 PM

I have a 36 gal bowfront and petco has lights until 21st on sale and bulbs on sale.. my t5 HO with 2 blubs was 9$ each bulb and 38$ for the light

Comedy Fish · 01/20/2014, 07:20 PM

Yup I saw. I doubt your gonna grow much coral with that fixture though. It will be fine for fowlr

01/18/2014, 09:13 AM	#26
mata Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 8	Cutting corners is not a good idea as far this hobby is concerned. You will end up paying twice for upgrade. This is my personal experience and it's wiser to learn from others mistakes. All the best.

01/19/2014, 10:51 AM	#27
Comedy Fish Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 111	Went ahead and picked them up along with another 15 pounds of live rock. That puts me at 40lbs and the lights are VERY bright. I am going to have to find some way to hang them, though.

01/19/2014, 11:54 PM	#28
kingsofke Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 44	Metal halides are hobby standard for growing coral. The downside is the wattage, cost of bulb and heat production. If you were not going to grow corals you could have gone with T5 or taotronics but that's fine. 1. Make sure you know the exact age of bulbs. They change their spectrum in 6-9 months and you would start growing lot of algae in the tank. 2. Keep an eye on temp of the tanks. Corals and fishes hate temp swings. Even as low as 3-4 degree swing chronically can hurt them bad. 3. If you are not growing coral you could do away with one of them hung in the middle hung high enough to cover all of the tank and will also lessen heating of the tank. Closer the light hotter the tank. I read through your earlier posts but it's easier to answer a more specific question.

01/20/2014, 07:10 AM	#29
Comedy Fish Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 111	How many hours a day would you recommend? I am roughly getting 7.2 wpg. Also...with that strong of lighting, how many inches above the waterline would you suggest?

01/20/2014, 07:15 PM	#30
Comedy Fish Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 111	Seeing as how no one wants to respond, I went ahead and did it myself. Hanged the halides, Hamilton Technologies 2x 150w, 9" above the water surface. Also, just found what appears to be a soft coral on my live rock. I am now up to 40lbs and I am happy with that.

01/20/2014, 07:16 PM	#31
Comedy Fish Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 111

01/20/2014, 07:19 PM	#32
smom1976 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: pensacola fl Posts: 61	I have a 36 gal bowfront and petco has lights until 21st on sale and bulbs on sale.. my t5 HO with 2 blubs was 9$ each bulb and 38$ for the light

01/20/2014, 07:20 PM	#33
Comedy Fish Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 111	Yup I saw. I doubt your gonna grow much coral with that fixture though. It will be fine for fowlr