What type of Metal Halide Lighting for 36"x36"x27" 150g Tank?

Sajbchs · 04/30/2009, 03:46 PM

Hi,

I was wondering what type of lighting you would suggest for a 36"x36"x27" Tank that will primarily be a sps reef w/ a few LPS.
The tank is a marineland deep dimension tank, and I am not exactly sure what the size of the canopy that comes with it actually is. I was told 1 400w would be fine, but if anyone could link a retro fit that would achive the best results for my corals, it would be great, and preferebly an all-in-on retrofit kit if possible (Im a dunce, I know).

Thanks,
Steve

Sajbchs · 04/30/2009, 04:56 PM

Anyone?

ct_vol · 04/30/2009, 05:10 PM

1 400w MH will not be enough coverage for a tank that size... Especially if you are using the Perfecto Canopy designed for that tank... The problem with that canopy is that it is too short to raise a pendant high enough in order to not get a "spot lighting" effect...

You will also be hard pressed to use a single retrofit system... Most of these are designed for 18"-24" wide tanks... Yours being 36" you might end up using two...

Another thing to consider is what corals you are wanting to keep... The lighting requirements of softies/polyps is a lot different than LPS or SPS for that matter...

Sajbchs · 04/30/2009, 05:13 PM

So how would you suggest I light the tank if I wanted to house SPS and some Frogspawn? Also if I forego the canopy what would my options be?

ganjero · 04/30/2009, 05:14 PM

1 400w would be fine if you use a lumenarc or lumenbright full size pendant, and have enough room to hang it at 16-18" above the water.

mordibv · 04/30/2009, 05:37 PM

I am looking at the same tank . I will prolly do .
Lumatex or Galaxy 250 watt ballast.
Lumen Max Elite with Radium .
Ice cap 660-009
4 3ft Ice cap t-5's in slr's
2 ati blue plus and 2 fiji purple .
4 fans for cooling
I want to put this in a light rack with a wrap around it to keep it not looking so bare boned .
I do not think this is lacking in lights for SPS dominated tank .I do want to keep some acans too .

ct_vol · 04/30/2009, 05:50 PM

The key to that would be the 16-18" above the water... If I remember correctly, the Marineland/Perfecto canopy is quite a bit shorter than that...

If you go with the LME pendants I would only go 250w... It is plenty for my 30" deep tank...

mordibv posted a nice combo... You could consider doing the mh's toward the back where your sps would be and then the t5's up front where your LPS would be... Or vice versa depending upon your preferential layout...

kmu · 04/30/2009, 08:13 PM

There is a reef tank in the "Whow me your Cube" thread that measures 36x36 and its powered by a 24"fixture with a ingle 250HQI and 4x24watt T5s

It looks like the light works perfectly

tewkes · 04/30/2009, 09:20 PM

I have the same tank. I was running 8 t-5 ho with a 250watt hqi supplement. I liked the look but I was using two different 4 bulb fixtures and the pendent was in the middle and it looked hoakie.
I'm now running a 36" sunlight supply maristar fixture. It has 2-250watt hqi bulbs and 2-39 watt t-5 actinics. It's definetly enough light, but I'm trying to find the right bulb combination.

If you want t-5's and want to keep sps I recommend using 7-8 bulbs. You can do a few less if you overdrive a few.
If you want halide I think 1 400 would be sufficient but if you want a good light spread and plan on keeping sps I'd get two 250watt's and some actinic supplements.

SPStoner · 05/01/2009, 05:17 AM

Let's see if I can clear up a few things for you.

You can light this tank with a single 400w Halide effectively if:

You are not using a canopy (the Marineland canopies are 11 1/2" high) and you use the right reflector at the right height. I'd suggest a Lumenarc.

If you want to use the canopy, you should either go with 2- 250w HQI pendants, which can be mounted to the underside of the canopy, and add a couple T5's to help light the extreme front and back, or go with all T5's or VHO's.

I have seen these tanks set up with MANY different light combos and these appear to be the best options. (I work for Marineland)

FWIW, I have the 200 gallon, 4 foot long version of this tank and use 2x 400w halides in LumenMax Elites, mounted under the canopy, plus 2 x 2ft VHO actinics. This config gives good spread over each half of the tank, but would not spread out to 3 feet as they are very close to the surface of the water.

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eaglesrx · 05/01/2009, 09:16 AM

Agree with the above in that you can't use the std marineland canopy if you want to keep a single 400W MH fixture with a good reflector (i.e. lumenarc) b/c it's not tall enough. You'll have to have a custom hood that allows you to hang the lumenarc reflector at least 8" from the surface or go topless.

One of the nicest cube tanks I've ever seen is in the link below. He's got a 36x36x24 rimless. He hangs the Lumenarc stealth fixture with a single 400W MH that is 8" above the surface (see page 24 of his thread to see his comment on his light fixture).

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...&pagenumber=24

I think if your cube is loaded with acro's from wall to wall in this tank, you'll need some supplementation w/at least T5's or go with 2 MH fixtures. However, if you take the minimilast approach like crazy4acros, looks like you can get away with just a single 400W MH.

HTH

Sajbchs · 05/02/2009, 08:19 AM

Tewkes did you get it your fixture from a LFS? It seems pretty interesting.

slojmn · 05/02/2009, 09:07 AM

I plan on running a single SE 250w bulb over a 36" X 36" X 22" Rimless setup I am getting from my friend. I currently run the Giesemann Spectra 1 x 250w MH and 4 x 24w T5 fixture. It doesn't have the spread and reflector power of the Luminarcs but I have no doubt that it will be enough for my uses. I will be SPS 60% and LPS 40%, mostly my chalice collection littered around the rock work and sand bed where the light is less. I am currently running this setup on a 36" X 24" X 18" setup and find that there is plenty of light for my acros everywhere I put them. So for the new tanklI will just need to be a little more selective in placement for the acros and have the light higher up to get a better spread. The only issue I am concerned about is the light shining in our eyes being at a higher level as the Giesemann Spectra fixture is not deep with a recessed bulb, like the Sfiligoi fixtures are. This may be the stumbling block...we shall see.

Have you thought about a floating canopy???, Attach the lights to the canopy and then attach the canopy to your ceiling like you would a pendent fixture... I don't know, maybe that is a crazy idea

. Just throwing stuff out there.

KurtsReef · 05/06/2009, 07:46 PM

I am looking to get into one of these 150's, if I do it will be with a custom build stand/canopy allowing a single halide centered with (4) 36" T5's around it. With the Lumenbright reflectors I have it should work well.

I will also be trying to fit some LED lights and possibly moon lights into the canopy, but have not mapped it out with dimensions yet.

RokleM · 05/07/2009, 07:45 AM

I agree with SPStoner's summary on your tank. I have the 4' 200 as well, with 2x400w and 2 actinic T5's.

04/30/2009, 03:46 PM	#1
Sajbchs Moved On Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 67	What type of Metal Halide Lighting for 36"x36"x27" 150g Tank? Hi, I was wondering what type of lighting you would suggest for a 36"x36"x27" Tank that will primarily be a sps reef w/ a few LPS. The tank is a marineland deep dimension tank, and I am not exactly sure what the size of the canopy that comes with it actually is. I was told 1 400w would be fine, but if anyone could link a retro fit that would achive the best results for my corals, it would be great, and preferebly an all-in-on retrofit kit if possible (Im a dunce, I know). Thanks, Steve

04/30/2009, 05:10 PM	#3
ct_vol Reefing On My Mind Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Kempton, IL Posts: 8,083	1 400w MH will not be enough coverage for a tank that size... Especially if you are using the Perfecto Canopy designed for that tank... The problem with that canopy is that it is too short to raise a pendant high enough in order to not get a "spot lighting" effect... You will also be hard pressed to use a single retrofit system... Most of these are designed for 18"-24" wide tanks... Yours being 36" you might end up using two... Another thing to consider is what corals you are wanting to keep... The lighting requirements of softies/polyps is a lot different than LPS or SPS for that matter... __________________ Randy Volunteers, Blackhawks, Titans, Cubs!!!! Current Tank Info: 185g waiting to be built, 120g SPS/Anemone Reef, 120g SCA in the works, 58g mixed reef w/ 6x39w T5, 125g grow out w/ Reef Breeders

04/30/2009, 05:37 PM	#6
mordibv Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Western Mass Posts: 1,499	I am looking at the same tank . I will prolly do . Lumatex or Galaxy 250 watt ballast. Lumen Max Elite with Radium . Ice cap 660-009 4 3ft Ice cap t-5's in slr's 2 ati blue plus and 2 fiji purple . 4 fans for cooling I want to put this in a light rack with a wrap around it to keep it not looking so bare boned . I do not think this is lacking in lights for SPS dominated tank .I do want to keep some acans too . __________________ It's hard to take advice from those who do not show the fruits of their labor . Current Tank Info: No tank ATM Last edited by mordibv; 04/30/2009 at 05:50 PM.

04/30/2009, 05:50 PM	#7
ct_vol Reefing On My Mind Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Kempton, IL Posts: 8,083	The key to that would be the 16-18" above the water... If I remember correctly, the Marineland/Perfecto canopy is quite a bit shorter than that... If you go with the LME pendants I would only go 250w... It is plenty for my 30" deep tank... mordibv posted a nice combo... You could consider doing the mh's toward the back where your sps would be and then the t5's up front where your LPS would be... Or vice versa depending upon your preferential layout... __________________ Randy Volunteers, Blackhawks, Titans, Cubs!!!! Current Tank Info: 185g waiting to be built, 120g SPS/Anemone Reef, 120g SCA in the works, 58g mixed reef w/ 6x39w T5, 125g grow out w/ Reef Breeders

05/01/2009, 05:17 AM	#10
SPStoner Team RC Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Blacksburg, VA, but born and raised in Cleveland, OH Posts: 1,996	Let's see if I can clear up a few things for you. You can light this tank with a single 400w Halide effectively if: You are not using a canopy (the Marineland canopies are 11 1/2" high) and you use the right reflector at the right height. I'd suggest a Lumenarc. If you want to use the canopy, you should either go with 2- 250w HQI pendants, which can be mounted to the underside of the canopy, and add a couple T5's to help light the extreme front and back, or go with all T5's or VHO's. I have seen these tanks set up with MANY different light combos and these appear to be the best options. (I work for Marineland) FWIW, I have the 200 gallon, 4 foot long version of this tank and use 2x 400w halides in LumenMax Elites, mounted under the canopy, plus 2 x 2ft VHO actinics. This config gives good spread over each half of the tank, but would not spread out to 3 feet as they are very close to the surface of the water. [IMG][/IMG] __________________ "Baseball is 90% mental...The other half is physical."- Yogi Berra Going on 31 years in this crazy hobby. Current Tank Info: 70 Marineland cube, 34 gallon Red Sea Max, 6 gallon Nano

04/30/2009, 04:56 PM	#2
Sajbchs Moved On Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 67	Anyone?

04/30/2009, 05:13 PM	#4
Sajbchs Moved On Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 67	So how would you suggest I light the tank if I wanted to house SPS and some Frogspawn? Also if I forego the canopy what would my options be?

04/30/2009, 05:14 PM	#5
ganjero saiperchémibatteilcorazon Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 4,027	1 400w would be fine if you use a lumenarc or lumenbright full size pendant, and have enough room to hang it at 16-18" above the water.

04/30/2009, 08:13 PM	#8
kmu Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: In the DESERT Posts: 3,306	There is a reef tank in the "Whow me your Cube" thread that measures 36x36 and its powered by a 24"fixture with a ingle 250HQI and 4x24watt T5s It looks like the light works perfectly

04/30/2009, 09:20 PM	#9
tewkes Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 334	I have the same tank. I was running 8 t-5 ho with a 250watt hqi supplement. I liked the look but I was using two different 4 bulb fixtures and the pendent was in the middle and it looked hoakie. I'm now running a 36" sunlight supply maristar fixture. It has 2-250watt hqi bulbs and 2-39 watt t-5 actinics. It's definetly enough light, but I'm trying to find the right bulb combination. If you want t-5's and want to keep sps I recommend using 7-8 bulbs. You can do a few less if you overdrive a few. If you want halide I think 1 400 would be sufficient but if you want a good light spread and plan on keeping sps I'd get two 250watt's and some actinic supplements.

05/01/2009, 09:16 AM	#11
eaglesrx Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Fairfield, CT Posts: 1,292	Agree with the above in that you can't use the std marineland canopy if you want to keep a single 400W MH fixture with a good reflector (i.e. lumenarc) b/c it's not tall enough. You'll have to have a custom hood that allows you to hang the lumenarc reflector at least 8" from the surface or go topless. One of the nicest cube tanks I've ever seen is in the link below. He's got a 36x36x24 rimless. He hangs the Lumenarc stealth fixture with a single 400W MH that is 8" above the surface (see page 24 of his thread to see his comment on his light fixture). http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...&pagenumber=24 I think if your cube is loaded with acro's from wall to wall in this tank, you'll need some supplementation w/at least T5's or go with 2 MH fixtures. However, if you take the minimilast approach like crazy4acros, looks like you can get away with just a single 400W MH. HTH

05/02/2009, 08:19 AM	#12
Sajbchs Moved On Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 67	Tewkes did you get it your fixture from a LFS? It seems pretty interesting.

05/02/2009, 09:07 AM	#13
slojmn Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Napa, CA. Posts: 4,625	I plan on running a single SE 250w bulb over a 36" X 36" X 22" Rimless setup I am getting from my friend. I currently run the Giesemann Spectra 1 x 250w MH and 4 x 24w T5 fixture. It doesn't have the spread and reflector power of the Luminarcs but I have no doubt that it will be enough for my uses. I will be SPS 60% and LPS 40%, mostly my chalice collection littered around the rock work and sand bed where the light is less. I am currently running this setup on a 36" X 24" X 18" setup and find that there is plenty of light for my acros everywhere I put them. So for the new tanklI will just need to be a little more selective in placement for the acros and have the light higher up to get a better spread. The only issue I am concerned about is the light shining in our eyes being at a higher level as the Giesemann Spectra fixture is not deep with a recessed bulb, like the Sfiligoi fixtures are. This may be the stumbling block...we shall see. Have you thought about a floating canopy???, Attach the lights to the canopy and then attach the canopy to your ceiling like you would a pendent fixture... I don't know, maybe that is a crazy idea . Just throwing stuff out there. __________________ Play hard and respect all living beings. Current Tank Info: 120g Starphire Cube, 30g nanoreef

05/06/2009, 07:46 PM	#14
KurtsReef Premium Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: North Boston, NY Posts: 2,603	I am looking to get into one of these 150's, if I do it will be with a custom build stand/canopy allowing a single halide centered with (4) 36" T5's around it. With the Lumenbright reflectors I have it should work well. I will also be trying to fit some LED lights and possibly moon lights into the canopy, but have not mapped it out with dimensions yet.

05/07/2009, 07:45 AM	#15
RokleM Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 9,687	I agree with SPStoner's summary on your tank. I have the 4' 200 as well, with 2x400w and 2 actinic T5's. __________________ -Eric-