Lighting in a large reef tank 38" deep?

prostaff · 12/29/2008, 06:25 PM

Looking for some insight on lighting for my mixed reef that is 38in deep. I originally thought I would get away with 400w lighting. I have recently started adding corals to the tank and the softies , frogspawn and torch seem to be doing well at the bottom but I am getting a bit concerned about when the time comes to add my clams. Could those of you who run tanks this deep please chime in? Thanks

aaron1987 · 12/29/2008, 06:43 PM

400w should be sufficient for that depth. ~30" is about the depth where 250's are traded for 400's. What type of clam are you intending to keep?

Jeremy Blaze · 12/29/2008, 07:35 PM

On my 36" deep tank, I run a mix of 400s and 1000s. My 400s are 10k and the 1000s are 20k.

I have grown sps and clams on the bottom of this tank very well.

prostaff · 12/30/2008, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by aaron1987
400w should be sufficient for that depth. ~30" is about the depth where 250's are traded for 400's. What type of clam are you intending to keep?

Right now I have a 12in squamosa and a 5in crocea. They are doing well in tank 24in away from a 250w halide. I started them off directly under the halide but they always tend to move away from it. Not sure if it is flow or light causing them to adjust

prostaff · 12/30/2008, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jeremy Blaze
On my 36" deep tank, I run a mix of 400s and 1000s. My 400s are 10k and the 1000s are 20k.

I have grown sps and clams on the bottom of this tank very well.

Hi Jeremy
Could you post a pic of your tank here? I would love to see it. Did you start off with 400 and then add 1000's or was that part of the plan to begin with? How are you dealing with heat issues? I am trying to avoid using a chiller if possible

12/29/2008, 06:25 PM	#1
prostaff Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Woodbine MD Posts: 306	Lighting in a large reef tank 38" deep? Looking for some insight on lighting for my mixed reef that is 38in deep. I originally thought I would get away with 400w lighting. I have recently started adding corals to the tank and the softies , frogspawn and torch seem to be doing well at the bottom but I am getting a bit concerned about when the time comes to add my clams. Could those of you who run tanks this deep please chime in? Thanks

12/29/2008, 07:35 PM	#3
Jeremy Blaze Former Reef Addict Join Date: May 2003 Location: New Washington, IN Posts: 5,864	On my 36" deep tank, I run a mix of 400s and 1000s. My 400s are 10k and the 1000s are 20k. I have grown sps and clams on the bottom of this tank very well. __________________ Trust me my friend, the names are not important at all. I've own hundreds of different zoas and palys and don't know the name of a single one. In my opinion, they are a waste of valuable time. Mucho Reef

12/29/2008, 06:43 PM	#2
aaron1987 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ames, IA Posts: 283	400w should be sufficient for that depth. ~30" is about the depth where 250's are traded for 400's. What type of clam are you intending to keep?