250WMH's Overkill on 18" tank?

mr_miagi32 · 04/23/2006, 12:41 AM

I have sourced some cheap 250 watt MH's and they are cheaper than 150 watt shopfitters.

I wanna keep Clams and a carpet anemone with the better lighting, and maybe some SPS.

Would this be overkill on a 18"deep tank? I could raise them with a hood to about 20-22" in height or more if I wanted. What is the recomended depth for 250W MH's?

Cheers.

Sk8r · 04/23/2006, 01:46 AM

The main thing as I understand it---and I'm a novice myself with this gear---is the distance between the specimen and the light. I have my more sensitive corals at 20 inches deep, my light hungry ones at 8 inches. You may have heating issues, however: venting that light at either end may help.

mr_miagi32 · 04/23/2006, 03:58 AM

Thankyou. That does make sense. I guess I should now research individual coral/invert recquirements. Thanks Sk8r, BTW, if your into SciFi, check out my Forum in my signature!

I have looked around your site! Looking good!

I do plan to constuct my own hood. In which case, I can leave addequate cooling areas and room for fans.

04/23/2006, 12:41 AM	#1
mr_miagi32 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Adelaide, Australia Posts: 99	250WMH's Overkill on 18" tank? I have sourced some cheap 250 watt MH's and they are cheaper than 150 watt shopfitters. I wanna keep Clams and a carpet anemone with the better lighting, and maybe some SPS. Would this be overkill on a 18"deep tank? I could raise them with a hood to about 20-22" in height or more if I wanted. What is the recomended depth for 250W MH's? Cheers.

04/23/2006, 01:46 AM	#2
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	The main thing as I understand it---and I'm a novice myself with this gear---is the distance between the specimen and the light. I have my more sensitive corals at 20 inches deep, my light hungry ones at 8 inches. You may have heating issues, however: venting that light at either end may help. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

04/23/2006, 03:58 AM	#3
mr_miagi32 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Adelaide, Australia Posts: 99	Thankyou. That does make sense. I guess I should now research individual coral/invert recquirements. Thanks Sk8r, BTW, if your into SciFi, check out my Forum in my signature! I have looked around your site! Looking good! I do plan to constuct my own hood. In which case, I can leave addequate cooling areas and room for fans.