suggestion for MH setup for a 30x30x20 cube

ReefPharmer · 12/04/2013, 01:59 AM

Hey guys,
I am considering different lighting options for a 30x30x20 cube which will be an SPS tank with rockwork that isnt super tall but more spread out flat shelves.
I have read Sanjay's article comparing the 400watt bulbs in different reflectors found here : http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2009/1/review

My q is, would a 250 watt bulb produce enough par to run an sps reef in a tank thats 30x30 considering its "only" 20 deep? I would assume most go with a 250 Radium on a m80 ballast. I was thinking of using a Luminarc III reflector (unless there is something better that you can recommend).

My other option is to stick to my current radion PRO, or try a ATI 24 inch powermodule with some led strips added for color/shimmer.

(before you mention it, yes I have checked the new ATI hybrids and they are nice, but imho not 1200 nice for a 24 inch unit.)

Thanks!

shifty51008 · 12/04/2013, 02:14 AM

A 250 watt mh in a good reflector will be plenty for an sps tank.

I would go with the m80 ballast with radiums also.

ReefPharmer · 12/04/2013, 02:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shifty51008

A 250 watt mh in a good reflector will be plenty for an sps tank.

I would go with the m80 ballast with radiums also.

thank you. Since I am counting it as a 75 gallon tank, how much temp fluctuation should I expect? (enough to get a chiller or a fan or two will do the job?)

shifty51008 · 12/04/2013, 02:57 AM

I run 2 250's over my 75 gal and have no need for a chiller or fans as my heater still has to kick on. I live in a cooler area than you but i wouldnt expext you would need anything other than a cheap 8" clip on fan if anything. Keep the mh about 12" or so off the water and you'll be fine.

ReefPharmer · 12/04/2013, 02:16 PM

Great thanks again for the tips . Any good reflectors that would do good coverage on a 250 watt bulb on a 30x30 tank ?

kmu · 12/04/2013, 02:34 PM

I have a single 250 watt Radium on a Hamilton pendant on a 48x48x24 cube and the coverage is great, can grow anything anywhere... I have the T5s to supplement color and for dawn and dusk.... Did run just the pendant for more than a year with excellent results

sirreal63 · 12/04/2013, 02:34 PM

There are some LumenArc's in the for sale section.

Maximus · 12/04/2013, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmu

I have a single 250 watt Radium on a Hamilton pendant on a 48x48x24 cube and the coverage is great, can grow anything anywhere... I have the T5s to supplement color and for dawn and dusk.... Did run just the pendant for more than a year with excellent results

Which Hamilton pendant are you running?

JAustin · 12/04/2013, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maximus

Which Hamilton pendant are you running?

His signature says Cozumel pendant.

Maximus · 12/04/2013, 06:30 PM

DOH!! Didn't see that! Thanks.

biecacka · 12/04/2013, 09:08 PM

I'm running a lumenarc on my tank the same size a KMU. 48/48/24 with great coverage on it

Corey

rottloverr · 12/05/2013, 12:03 AM

Any troubles with heat issues?

miatawnt2b · 12/05/2013, 12:35 AM

What a great zise tank ReefPharmer. Where did you get it? As for your question, I think a single 100W multichip LED would rock that thing. Plenty of penetration even without an optic, though you'd proabbly need it 12" or so off of the water surface.

ReefPharmer · 12/05/2013, 02:37 AM

It's a leemar rimless . I'm sure the radion would do well in that tank, but I already have a led lit tank and wanted to try mh. Without getting into any arguments, I wanted to see how well radium can do compared to leds

12/04/2013, 01:59 AM	#1
ReefPharmer Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: los angeles Posts: 1,836	suggestion for MH setup for a 30x30x20 cube Hey guys, I am considering different lighting options for a 30x30x20 cube which will be an SPS tank with rockwork that isnt super tall but more spread out flat shelves. I have read Sanjay's article comparing the 400watt bulbs in different reflectors found here : http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2009/1/review My q is, would a 250 watt bulb produce enough par to run an sps reef in a tank thats 30x30 considering its "only" 20 deep? I would assume most go with a 250 Radium on a m80 ballast. I was thinking of using a Luminarc III reflector (unless there is something better that you can recommend). My other option is to stick to my current radion PRO, or try a ATI 24 inch powermodule with some led strips added for color/shimmer. (before you mention it, yes I have checked the new ATI hybrids and they are nice, but imho not 1200 nice for a 24 inch unit.) Thanks!

12/04/2013, 02:14 AM	#2
shifty51008 12-5 Chiefs record Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 10,134	A 250 watt mh in a good reflector will be plenty for an sps tank. I would go with the m80 ballast with radiums also. __________________ 75 gal. mixed DT, 100 gal. sump, 50 gal. fuge, Clownfish breeder

12/04/2013, 02:57 AM	#4
shifty51008 12-5 Chiefs record Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 10,134	I run 2 250's over my 75 gal and have no need for a chiller or fans as my heater still has to kick on. I live in a cooler area than you but i wouldnt expext you would need anything other than a cheap 8" clip on fan if anything. Keep the mh about 12" or so off the water and you'll be fine. __________________ 75 gal. mixed DT, 100 gal. sump, 50 gal. fuge, Clownfish breeder

12/04/2013, 02:34 PM	#6
kmu Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: In the DESERT Posts: 3,306	I have a single 250 watt Radium on a Hamilton pendant on a 48x48x24 cube and the coverage is great, can grow anything anywhere... I have the T5s to supplement color and for dawn and dusk.... Did run just the pendant for more than a year with excellent results __________________ Current Reef tanks In Wall 400g 1" acrylic 72x36x36 (Hydras, Marco rocks,Tunze osmolator, Vertex Alpha cone 250)

12/04/2013, 02:34 PM	#7
sirreal63 Go Spurs Go!!! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Meadowlakes Texas Posts: 13,357	There are some LumenArc's in the for sale section. __________________ Jack No One has ever been seriously injured by using the search function. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency. Current Tank Info: Reefing the Pentagon.

12/04/2013, 02:16 PM	#5
ReefPharmer Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: los angeles Posts: 1,836	Great thanks again for the tips . Any good reflectors that would do good coverage on a 250 watt bulb on a 30x30 tank ?

12/04/2013, 06:30 PM	#10
Maximus Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Monterey County Posts: 6,442	DOH!! Didn't see that! Thanks. __________________ This space for rent... Current Tank Info: 36x36x16 A.G.E. tank. Lighting: ATI Straton. Circulation: 2x Vortech MP40wQd's. Skimmer: Red Sea 300. Controller: Neptune Apex. Doser: Neptune Dos.

12/04/2013, 09:08 PM	#11
biecacka Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Columbus Ohio Posts: 6,361	I'm running a lumenarc on my tank the same size a KMU. 48/48/24 with great coverage on it Corey

12/05/2013, 12:03 AM	#12
rottloverr Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Woodbridge, Va Posts: 67	Any troubles with heat issues?

12/05/2013, 12:35 AM	#13
miatawnt2b Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 1,467	What a great zise tank ReefPharmer. Where did you get it? As for your question, I think a single 100W multichip LED would rock that thing. Plenty of penetration even without an optic, though you'd proabbly need it 12" or so off of the water surface. __________________ Proud member of the JTCCB (jebao tuners club for cheap bastards)

12/05/2013, 02:37 AM	#14
ReefPharmer Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: los angeles Posts: 1,836	It's a leemar rimless . I'm sure the radion would do well in that tank, but I already have a led lit tank and wanted to try mh. Without getting into any arguments, I wanted to see how well radium can do compared to leds