Do you think

shawnaus17 · 01/24/2006, 04:44 PM

I am upgrading my lighting one last time. I am getting 2 250 watt metal halide 14000K with 110 watts of Aticnic. Will this be enough to keep a LSP/Soft coral tank and maybe some low light SPS at the top?

Shawn

twon8 · 01/24/2006, 04:47 PM

what size tank

xtrstangx · 01/24/2006, 05:27 PM

In your 55g? Yes, plenty of light for SPS anywhere in the tank. I'd feel fine with those lights on a 120g with SPS anywhere.

j0tca · 01/24/2006, 05:30 PM

That about exactley the lighting I use on my 6' 120 and find it quite satisfactory. I've had no trouble growing sps, and my clams are happy.

I think you're good to go.

j0tca · 01/24/2006, 05:31 PM

Although I'm thinking of adding another 2x110W actinics, but I think that's just my fiddling nature rather tahn any real need.

kabboord · 01/24/2006, 05:37 PM

I have (2) 250 watt 14k Hami's and (2) 110 watt Actinic VHO's on my 90 (24" deep) and sometimes I think its too much. My lights are like 6" off the water and the top of my rockwork is about 6 inches below the water. About half of the corals I put on the very top will slowly bleach out and lighten up for about the first six months. Granted the growth on them is still phenominal, but they do lighten up. I also run a 10 hour photoperiod. After 6 months, they seem adapted to it, color up very brightly and still grow very quick. I'm thinking of redoing my rock work so its much lower in the tank. I can put SPS on the bottom of my tank and they still get great color and great growth. The bottom is starboard. I think 500 watts would be too much for anything less than a 90. A 75 is the same as 90, just 18" of depth versus 24". I think that that would actually be too shallow for a 75 unless you had very minimal rockwork. I would suggest going with 175's would be better, I think they make double ended 150's, from what I've heard the double ended work very well.

shawnaus17 · 01/24/2006, 05:58 PM

sorry i have a 90 30" tall

twon8 · 01/24/2006, 07:08 PM

what dimensions? i have two 250s on my 90 , but it is a standard
30" is pretty deep so you might want to consider 400w, If you get a good reflector i think you could maybe get bye with one 400, which would be cheaper than 2 250s, both initially and over the long term both in energy and in bulb cost. I am assuming since its 30" deep its not 48" long.

01/24/2006, 04:44 PM	#1
shawnaus17 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 520	Do you think I am upgrading my lighting one last time. I am getting 2 250 watt metal halide 14000K with 110 watts of Aticnic. Will this be enough to keep a LSP/Soft coral tank and maybe some low light SPS at the top? Shawn __________________ To see a world in a grain of sand, And a Heaven in a wild flower, To hold infinity in the palm of your hand, And an eternity in a hour. -William Blake- Current Tank Info: 40 Gallon

01/24/2006, 05:37 PM	#6
kabboord Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: St. Pete, Florida Posts: 557	I have (2) 250 watt 14k Hami's and (2) 110 watt Actinic VHO's on my 90 (24" deep) and sometimes I think its too much. My lights are like 6" off the water and the top of my rockwork is about 6 inches below the water. About half of the corals I put on the very top will slowly bleach out and lighten up for about the first six months. Granted the growth on them is still phenominal, but they do lighten up. I also run a 10 hour photoperiod. After 6 months, they seem adapted to it, color up very brightly and still grow very quick. I'm thinking of redoing my rock work so its much lower in the tank. I can put SPS on the bottom of my tank and they still get great color and great growth. The bottom is starboard. I think 500 watts would be too much for anything less than a 90. A 75 is the same as 90, just 18" of depth versus 24". I think that that would actually be too shallow for a 75 unless you had very minimal rockwork. I would suggest going with 175's would be better, I think they make double ended 150's, from what I've heard the double ended work very well. __________________ Where is my mind? Where is my mind? Where is my mind? Way out in the waters, see it swimmin? I was swimmin in the carribean, animals were hiding behind the rock, except the little fish... Current Tank Info: 90 Gallon Reef

01/24/2006, 05:58 PM	#7
shawnaus17 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 520	sorry i have a 90 30" tall __________________ To see a world in a grain of sand, And a Heaven in a wild flower, To hold infinity in the palm of your hand, And an eternity in a hour. -William Blake- Current Tank Info: 40 Gallon

01/24/2006, 04:47 PM	#2
twon8 Formally registered membe Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: slightly sw of richmond, va Posts: 5,920	what size tank

01/24/2006, 05:27 PM	#3
xtrstangx Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Shawnee, Kansas Posts: 4,568	In your 55g? Yes, plenty of light for SPS anywhere in the tank. I'd feel fine with those lights on a 120g with SPS anywhere.

01/24/2006, 05:30 PM	#4
j0tca Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Montreal Posts: 916	That about exactley the lighting I use on my 6' 120 and find it quite satisfactory. I've had no trouble growing sps, and my clams are happy. I think you're good to go.

01/24/2006, 05:31 PM	#5
j0tca Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Montreal Posts: 916	Although I'm thinking of adding another 2x110W actinics, but I think that's just my fiddling nature rather tahn any real need.

01/24/2006, 07:08 PM	#8
twon8 Formally registered membe Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: slightly sw of richmond, va Posts: 5,920	what dimensions? i have two 250s on my 90 , but it is a standard 30" is pretty deep so you might want to consider 400w, If you get a good reflector i think you could maybe get bye with one 400, which would be cheaper than 2 250s, both initially and over the long term both in energy and in bulb cost. I am assuming since its 30" deep its not 48" long.