is 250 strong enough?

ihavebadluck · 03/27/2008, 11:31 PM

I have a 3' deep 110 and i was planing on doing dual 250s, i was wondering if this would be strong enough to do all types of coral?

D to the P · 03/27/2008, 11:49 PM

You should have no problem with most corals, but if you do decide to go with any small polyp stony corals like acropora, pocilipora, or the like, I would put them closer to the top of the tank. Problem is your tank is 3 feet deep haha. It's gonna take some strong lights to get enough light down to the bottom.

ihavebadluck · 03/28/2008, 12:12 AM

how far away from the water should i mount the light?

D to the P · 03/28/2008, 12:23 AM

Usually anywhere between 6-8 inches, adjusting for heat. Make sure you have plenty of distruption on top of the water for gas and heat exchange. 110's do not have a lot of surface area (because they are so tall) so distrupting the surface of the water will not only help with heat, it will help with your dissolved oxygen levels (so the fish can breath). I would doubt that you would have to worry about a chiller if you have plenty of surface disturbance, and air circulation. Usually that means adding a fan or two, especially if you are using a canopy.

ihavebadluck · 03/28/2008, 12:28 AM

do you know what a good brand and spectrum of bulb to use is?

D to the P · 03/28/2008, 12:41 AM

XM bulbs work really well, but there are many opinions on which ones are better (I would check the lighting forum because there are many folks in there that would probably be able to recommend the best one for you and your system). As far as spectrum goes, it's mostly based on aesthetics, but usually 14-15 K's give a really nice look. 20K is pretty blue, and makes some corals colors look better. Some people will share thier personal experience with you and say 20K made their corals' colors better, but that has never been scientifically proven...if you need scientific proof haha. If you are not putting any actinics over the tank via compact or t5 flourescent bulbs, then I would still recommend the 14 or 15 K bulbs.

ihavebadluck · 03/28/2008, 12:50 AM

thanks for your help, i greatly aprecate it

D to the P · 03/28/2008, 12:52 AM

no problem, and good luck!

vr697getta · 03/28/2008, 01:05 AM

if you have the same tank as me its a 110 xh but its 30 inches tall not 3 feet unless its custom made
but anyway i have sps like birdsnest that is a bit higher than middle of the tank and some acro at the top
but i have 2 175 so you should be good as long as you have your lr piled up pretty high

ihavebadluck · 03/28/2008, 01:41 AM

yeah i have to go buy some more i have hardly any right now, i think im going to get it already cured

03/27/2008, 11:31 PM	#1
ihavebadluck Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: altamonte springs, florida Posts: 18	is 250 strong enough? I have a 3' deep 110 and i was planing on doing dual 250s, i was wondering if this would be strong enough to do all types of coral?

03/27/2008, 11:49 PM	#2
D to the P Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Amishville, USA Posts: 2,047	You should have no problem with most corals, but if you do decide to go with any small polyp stony corals like acropora, pocilipora, or the like, I would put them closer to the top of the tank. Problem is your tank is 3 feet deep haha. It's gonna take some strong lights to get enough light down to the bottom. __________________ Nature V.S. Nurture: Nature Always Wins. Current Tank Info: 12 gallon Aquapod reef with LED's, multiple nano's at work.

03/28/2008, 12:12 AM	#3
ihavebadluck Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: altamonte springs, florida Posts: 18	how far away from the water should i mount the light? __________________ can you guess where my pay check is going ? Current Tank Info: shallow reef

03/28/2008, 12:23 AM	#4
D to the P Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Amishville, USA Posts: 2,047	Usually anywhere between 6-8 inches, adjusting for heat. Make sure you have plenty of distruption on top of the water for gas and heat exchange. 110's do not have a lot of surface area (because they are so tall) so distrupting the surface of the water will not only help with heat, it will help with your dissolved oxygen levels (so the fish can breath). I would doubt that you would have to worry about a chiller if you have plenty of surface disturbance, and air circulation. Usually that means adding a fan or two, especially if you are using a canopy. __________________ Nature V.S. Nurture: Nature Always Wins. Current Tank Info: 12 gallon Aquapod reef with LED's, multiple nano's at work.

03/28/2008, 12:28 AM	#5
ihavebadluck Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: altamonte springs, florida Posts: 18	do you know what a good brand and spectrum of bulb to use is? __________________ can you guess where my pay check is going ? Current Tank Info: shallow reef

03/28/2008, 12:41 AM	#6
D to the P Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Amishville, USA Posts: 2,047	XM bulbs work really well, but there are many opinions on which ones are better (I would check the lighting forum because there are many folks in there that would probably be able to recommend the best one for you and your system). As far as spectrum goes, it's mostly based on aesthetics, but usually 14-15 K's give a really nice look. 20K is pretty blue, and makes some corals colors look better. Some people will share thier personal experience with you and say 20K made their corals' colors better, but that has never been scientifically proven...if you need scientific proof haha. If you are not putting any actinics over the tank via compact or t5 flourescent bulbs, then I would still recommend the 14 or 15 K bulbs. __________________ Nature V.S. Nurture: Nature Always Wins. Current Tank Info: 12 gallon Aquapod reef with LED's, multiple nano's at work.

03/28/2008, 12:50 AM	#7
ihavebadluck Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: altamonte springs, florida Posts: 18	thanks for your help, i greatly aprecate it __________________ can you guess where my pay check is going ? Current Tank Info: shallow reef

03/28/2008, 12:52 AM	#8
D to the P Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Amishville, USA Posts: 2,047	no problem, and good luck! __________________ Nature V.S. Nurture: Nature Always Wins. Current Tank Info: 12 gallon Aquapod reef with LED's, multiple nano's at work.

03/28/2008, 01:05 AM	#9
vr697getta Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: white oak Posts: 1,974	if you have the same tank as me its a 110 xh but its 30 inches tall not 3 feet unless its custom made but anyway i have sps like birdsnest that is a bit higher than middle of the tank and some acro at the top but i have 2 175 so you should be good as long as you have your lr piled up pretty high

03/28/2008, 01:41 AM	#10
ihavebadluck Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: altamonte springs, florida Posts: 18	yeah i have to go buy some more i have hardly any right now, i think im going to get it already cured __________________ can you guess where my pay check is going ? Current Tank Info: shallow reef