Metal halide lighting...

trpigg · 09/26/2006, 10:02 PM

I have a 72 gall with a custom canopy. Is it better to purchase the retro fit for the canopy and install it rather than buy a hood to fit inside the canopy.

Another question is that, is it possible to have too much lighting? I have about 900 watts for my 72g which puts the watts at 12.5 per gallon. Is this too much??

Thanks for all the help guys. This site helps me everyday!

Jakaru · 09/26/2006, 10:26 PM

hmm so you allready have lighting for tank but want to go with mh? 900 seems like alot and could bleach some corals but I'm sure others will chime in. It also depends on the type of lighting you are using and the tank itself. I have a tank that is 60 gals but it's only 30 inches long. and 25 to the sand bed so I don't have length to worry about so I probably need less light than others.

Also with that much light in there keep an eye on your temp and you might have to "vent" the canopy and maybe run fans. If using mh use the fans to puch the air out. I've heard that grouped t5's could do with some air blowing in on them because of their relativly low operating temp. I've heard that 8 or so watts/gal is good but it's not about watts/gal it's about trail and error really. Sometimes less is more.

It all depends on what you want to keep. Clams and some corals would probably appreciate it some softies might seek shelter under rocks or bleach.

I'll post a link for you I found helpfull.

sir_dudeguy · 09/26/2006, 10:28 PM

theres lots of debate on it, but most of the light fixtures say something about (not for use in canopy), so i'd get retro and jsut drill it to the lid, you know?

as for too much light...firstly..how the heck did you get 900 watts? lol! And is that metal halide or pc? If its pc, then imo, no prolly not (tho i dont know how that would even fit) But MH, it might be...i'd be more concerned about that much power heating the tank too much..so in that case, you need to give me about 250-300 watts of that lighting for my 40 breeder

lol jk. But 12w per gallon of mh lighting is not needed. At that point, i dont think you'd be doing anything much more beneficial than having like 8 or 9w per gallon.

hth

2swift · 09/26/2006, 10:28 PM

To many watts from what Ive read and been told>
5 watts to 9 watts per gal max but I'm new remember that.
I'll be watching to see if I am correct!

Jakaru · 09/26/2006, 10:28 PM

Great lighting info here

trpigg · 09/26/2006, 11:09 PM

Thanks guys. Luckily i havent purchased the mh's yet and thank heavens i didnt. I guess i will run a little less watts

mg426 · 09/26/2006, 11:50 PM

It sure does seem like a load of light to me.

09/26/2006, 10:02 PM	#1
trpigg Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 193	Metal halide lighting... I have a 72 gall with a custom canopy. Is it better to purchase the retro fit for the canopy and install it rather than buy a hood to fit inside the canopy. Another question is that, is it possible to have too much lighting? I have about 900 watts for my 72g which puts the watts at 12.5 per gallon. Is this too much?? Thanks for all the help guys. This site helps me everyday!

09/26/2006, 10:26 PM	#2
Jakaru Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Mesa, Az Posts: 540	hmm so you allready have lighting for tank but want to go with mh? 900 seems like alot and could bleach some corals but I'm sure others will chime in. It also depends on the type of lighting you are using and the tank itself. I have a tank that is 60 gals but it's only 30 inches long. and 25 to the sand bed so I don't have length to worry about so I probably need less light than others. Also with that much light in there keep an eye on your temp and you might have to "vent" the canopy and maybe run fans. If using mh use the fans to puch the air out. I've heard that grouped t5's could do with some air blowing in on them because of their relativly low operating temp. I've heard that 8 or so watts/gal is good but it's not about watts/gal it's about trail and error really. Sometimes less is more. It all depends on what you want to keep. Clams and some corals would probably appreciate it some softies might seek shelter under rocks or bleach. I'll post a link for you I found helpfull. __________________ I choose to fail to fail. Ehiem 2217, powerhead, 10lbs lr, skimmer coming Current Tank Info: 60 gal FOWLR. 7 turbo snails, 2 siscor tail goby's,

09/26/2006, 10:28 PM	#3
sir_dudeguy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 10,841	theres lots of debate on it, but most of the light fixtures say something about (not for use in canopy), so i'd get retro and jsut drill it to the lid, you know? as for too much light...firstly..how the heck did you get 900 watts? lol! And is that metal halide or pc? If its pc, then imo, no prolly not (tho i dont know how that would even fit) But MH, it might be...i'd be more concerned about that much power heating the tank too much..so in that case, you need to give me about 250-300 watts of that lighting for my 40 breeder lol jk. But 12w per gallon of mh lighting is not needed. At that point, i dont think you'd be doing anything much more beneficial than having like 8 or 9w per gallon. hth __________________ TAKE...LUCK!!!

09/26/2006, 10:28 PM	#4
2swift Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Ruskin,FLA Posts: 876	To many watts from what Ive read and been told> 5 watts to 9 watts per gal max but I'm new remember that. I'll be watching to see if I am correct! __________________ Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Current Tank Info: 150g with twin FX4 canisters-Jebao 90Wave maker-2 AQUASKY Fluval Lights-AquaMaxx TS-2 Sulfur Denitrator

09/26/2006, 10:28 PM	#5
Jakaru Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Mesa, Az Posts: 540	Great lighting info here __________________ I choose to fail to fail. Ehiem 2217, powerhead, 10lbs lr, skimmer coming Current Tank Info: 60 gal FOWLR. 7 turbo snails, 2 siscor tail goby's,

09/26/2006, 11:09 PM	#6
trpigg Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 193	Thanks guys. Luckily i havent purchased the mh's yet and thank heavens i didnt. I guess i will run a little less watts __________________ Reefing is the coolest thing since "sliced bread." Current Tank Info: 72 gal RR bow front, 25 gal sump/refugium, 105lbs Premium tonga deep water LR, 80 lbs LS, 760w metal halide retro lighting

09/26/2006, 11:50 PM	#7
mg426 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 6,923	It sure does seem like a load of light to me. __________________ I found a way to make a small fortune running a reef tank. Start with a large fortune. Unofficial President of the SEACLONE haters club Current Tank Info: 125 mixed reef 110 lbs LR, 1x250watt XM 20K MH 2x175watt XM 20K MH on Magetics 2X96 watt actinic PC, 220 watt VHO actinic, 30 gallon refugium, closed loop system powered by Sequence Dart MSX 200 skimmer 38 gallon sump, Oceansmotions squirt