Two 175w 20Ks & a 400w 14K Overkill?

Saltmeister · 12/22/2005, 06:47 PM

I've been running two 175w MH on my 100g reef. This tank has only been set up for a year (reef 5 months). I came across a warehouse 400w MH lamp for 40 US dollars (about 47 canadian dollars) and couldn't pass it up. I rewired it and added a 400w reef bulb. What I decided to do was make a DYI canopy (175watts were in DYI pendants) and house all three of them...175w on each end and 400w in the middle. Do you think this is overkill? I was thinking about going with acroporas but I'm not sure if I'm ready or not...what do you think?

Also, right as of now, I run my lights about a foot and a half (46cm) above the tank right now so that the corals can get used to the super nova beaming down on them! I also run the 175w 20Ks by themselves for 2 hours, turn the 400w 14K on for 4 and then off again while the 175s run for 2 more hours (8 hours total).

http://www.photochicken.com/ims/pic/86YG2w4/4854.jpg

TippyToeX · 12/22/2005, 07:00 PM

I think it's overfill, but that's just me.

I tend to believe we over light our tanks and do not put enough into feeding. If you were going to go for an SPS dominated (light loving acros specifically) it wouldn't be so bad IMO.

I think you are just ramping your utility bill for nothing right now.

geekreef_05 · 12/22/2005, 07:03 PM

Beautiful tank. I especially like the rounded edges...its so simplistically classy. What kinda tank is this? Reminds me of the small Via Aqua setups.

Mounting a 400 watt halide in the middle of your tank with the bracket in the middle concerns me a little, yet I cant pinpoint why. I guess if its not heating up much, then its no big deal. I think you lighting will work fine, just dont keep that 400 on for too long.

You maybe also to slowly bring the lighting hood lower too...just give your corals time to adjust. Make baby step everyday.

happy reefin'

Saltmeister · 12/22/2005, 07:16 PM

Thanks for the comps...I really don't know what kind of tank it is...I bought it used and it was already four years old.
As for the utility bill...the good thing is, right now I do not have to pay electricity for the next two years or so ...so I wanted to take advantage of it right now. I really DO want to get acroporas in the future. I just have to learn a bit more about them before I do. As I've stated before..the tank is a little over a year old but it's been reef for about 5 months now. Do you think that it's mature enough to add acros?

Also, I can see your concern about the light being over the brace....someone stated that if it gets hot enough...it may crack. If I get a good fan....do you think I can prevent this?

Saltmeister · 05/15/2006, 10:53 PM

I decided to switch out the 400w 14k to a 20k and the two 175s to 14k. I love the look of the tank. Things are really growing.
http://www.photochicken.com/ims/pic/86YG2w4/7813.jpg

12/22/2005, 06:47 PM	#1
Saltmeister Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Okinawa, Japan Posts: 69	Two 175w 20Ks & a 400w 14K Overkill? I've been running two 175w MH on my 100g reef. This tank has only been set up for a year (reef 5 months). I came across a warehouse 400w MH lamp for 40 US dollars (about 47 canadian dollars) and couldn't pass it up. I rewired it and added a 400w reef bulb. What I decided to do was make a DYI canopy (175watts were in DYI pendants) and house all three of them...175w on each end and 400w in the middle. Do you think this is overkill? I was thinking about going with acroporas but I'm not sure if I'm ready or not...what do you think? Also, right as of now, I run my lights about a foot and a half (46cm) above the tank right now so that the corals can get used to the super nova beaming down on them! I also run the 175w 20Ks by themselves for 2 hours, turn the 400w 14K on for 4 and then off again while the 175s run for 2 more hours (8 hours total). http://www.photochicken.com/ims/pic/86YG2w4/4854.jpg __________________ Advice would always be more acceptable if it didn't conflict with our plans.

12/22/2005, 07:00 PM	#2
TippyToeX Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 10,711	I think it's overfill, but that's just me. I tend to believe we over light our tanks and do not put enough into feeding. If you were going to go for an SPS dominated (light loving acros specifically) it wouldn't be so bad IMO. I think you are just ramping your utility bill for nothing right now. __________________ -Amy-

12/22/2005, 07:03 PM	#3
geekreef_05 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Ottawa, Ontario Posts: 626	Beautiful tank. I especially like the rounded edges...its so simplistically classy. What kinda tank is this? Reminds me of the small Via Aqua setups. Mounting a 400 watt halide in the middle of your tank with the bracket in the middle concerns me a little, yet I cant pinpoint why. I guess if its not heating up much, then its no big deal. I think you lighting will work fine, just dont keep that 400 on for too long. You maybe also to slowly bring the lighting hood lower too...just give your corals time to adjust. Make baby step everyday. happy reefin' __________________ A good aquarium is like a beautiful woman. Shes nice to look at but requires daily attention and constantly leaves you broke. Current Tank Info: 15H Mixed Reef, 150 HQI, 25lbs Vanuatu, SSB; 60 gal FOWLR 'Tap Water' Show Tank; 33L Skimmerless Softie Reef w/ BTA, 50/50 PC's, 70lbs Indo

12/22/2005, 07:16 PM	#4
Saltmeister Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Okinawa, Japan Posts: 69	Thanks for the comps...I really don't know what kind of tank it is...I bought it used and it was already four years old. As for the utility bill...the good thing is, right now I do not have to pay electricity for the next two years or so ...so I wanted to take advantage of it right now. I really DO want to get acroporas in the future. I just have to learn a bit more about them before I do. As I've stated before..the tank is a little over a year old but it's been reef for about 5 months now. Do you think that it's mature enough to add acros? Also, I can see your concern about the light being over the brace....someone stated that if it gets hot enough...it may crack. If I get a good fan....do you think I can prevent this? __________________ Advice would always be more acceptable if it didn't conflict with our plans.

05/15/2006, 10:53 PM	#5
Saltmeister Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Okinawa, Japan Posts: 69	I decided to switch out the 400w 14k to a 20k and the two 175s to 14k. I love the look of the tank. Things are really growing. http://www.photochicken.com/ims/pic/86YG2w4/7813.jpg __________________ Advice would always be more acceptable if it didn't conflict with our plans.