Lighting Help for 175g Bowfront

vegasr · 04/13/2011, 07:43 PM

I have a 175g Bowfront I'm getting ready to setup and like some opinions on lighting. The dimensions are 72.5x24.5x29, will be having LPS and SPS, clams and carpet anemone.
I currently have a NIB Aquamedic 72" MH fixture 3x150w & 2X70w http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_viewit...content=AQ1753
Will the three 150w 14k and two 70w 20k work well with this? Or should I look into higher wattage?
Thanks

karsseboom · 04/13/2011, 08:03 PM

for sps i would go with 3 250 watt mh. For soft coral i would say its good.

vegasr · 04/13/2011, 09:16 PM

Thanks for the reply.
Its a very nice fixture and would love to use it. Would hate to regret not going with 250s down the road, however the extra heat/power usuage is a drawback though.

1st timer · 04/13/2011, 09:35 PM

250s would be better IMO. That being said I have that same fixture in 48" on my 72(75) bowfront and the bigger issue for me is the lack of light at the front most part of the bow.
Oh and my right halide is out. If your aquascaping allows you could keep some medium light demanding corals in top half of tank, with shrooms and the like lower.

karsseboom · 04/13/2011, 09:59 PM

When you get the dual 250 watts mh you will never have to ask your self if you have enough light. When you have 150 on a tank that size your gonna be borderline good for sps which kinda sucks cause your always gonna wonder if your light is good enough for this or that.

vegasr · 04/14/2011, 02:19 PM

Agree on 3x250s being the better way to go and wouldn't have to wonder. Guess I either try out the 3 x 150s to start out with, or try and sell the 72" aquamedic fixture now since its brand new in the box and look for a 3x250w fixture.

Gtt1988 · 04/19/2011, 10:52 PM

well first off i wouldnt buy from marine depot!!

epicenter · 04/19/2011, 11:27 PM

I had the same type of light fixture on my 175 bow front & sold it to get 3- 250w on the tank. The 150's just would not grow sps. Remember these tanks are 29" tall, while the corals would survive with the 150's the 250's made them thrive. If your light in NIB try to return it where you got it & get the 250w right off the bat.

James77 · 04/20/2011, 07:26 AM

250s are the way to go on that tank. if you are looking to save some electric and heat, and would not mind a solid white bulb, take a look at the 175w Iwasaki bulbs on electronic ballasts. They kick out more PAR than most (all i think) of the 250w bulbs. Solid white with some blue, very bright bulb.

The 175 bow is a beautiful tank, I had one at my old house.....

04/13/2011, 07:43 PM	#1
vegasr Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 231	Lighting Help for 175g Bowfront I have a 175g Bowfront I'm getting ready to setup and like some opinions on lighting. The dimensions are 72.5x24.5x29, will be having LPS and SPS, clams and carpet anemone. I currently have a NIB Aquamedic 72" MH fixture 3x150w & 2X70w http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_viewit...content=AQ1753 Will the three 150w 14k and two 70w 20k work well with this? Or should I look into higher wattage? Thanks

04/20/2011, 07:26 AM	#9
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	250s are the way to go on that tank. if you are looking to save some electric and heat, and would not mind a solid white bulb, take a look at the 175w Iwasaki bulbs on electronic ballasts. They kick out more PAR than most (all i think) of the 250w bulbs. Solid white with some blue, very bright bulb. The 175 bow is a beautiful tank, I had one at my old house..... __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater

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04/13/2011, 08:03 PM	#2
karsseboom Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 2,183	for sps i would go with 3 250 watt mh. For soft coral i would say its good.

04/13/2011, 09:16 PM	#3
vegasr Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 231	Thanks for the reply. Its a very nice fixture and would love to use it. Would hate to regret not going with 250s down the road, however the extra heat/power usuage is a drawback though.

04/13/2011, 09:35 PM	#4
1st timer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Alabama Posts: 204	250s would be better IMO. That being said I have that same fixture in 48" on my 72(75) bowfront and the bigger issue for me is the lack of light at the front most part of the bow. Oh and my right halide is out. If your aquascaping allows you could keep some medium light demanding corals in top half of tank, with shrooms and the like lower.

04/13/2011, 09:59 PM	#5
karsseboom Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 2,183	When you get the dual 250 watts mh you will never have to ask your self if you have enough light. When you have 150 on a tank that size your gonna be borderline good for sps which kinda sucks cause your always gonna wonder if your light is good enough for this or that.

04/14/2011, 02:19 PM	#6
vegasr Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 231	Agree on 3x250s being the better way to go and wouldn't have to wonder. Guess I either try out the 3 x 150s to start out with, or try and sell the 72" aquamedic fixture now since its brand new in the box and look for a 3x250w fixture.

04/19/2011, 10:52 PM	#7
Gtt1988 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 103	well first off i wouldnt buy from marine depot!!

04/19/2011, 11:27 PM	#8
epicenter Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: so. oregon Posts: 82	I had the same type of light fixture on my 175 bow front & sold it to get 3- 250w on the tank. The 150's just would not grow sps. Remember these tanks are 29" tall, while the corals would survive with the 150's the 250's made them thrive. If your light in NIB try to return it where you got it & get the 250w right off the bat.