lighting for 120

fishyface · 10/12/2006, 10:24 AM

debating with myself wether to go 2x250's or 2x400's MH. i'd like to be able to keep virtually anything but am wondering about heat and humidity issues if i got to the 400's. i'm using luminarc mini's as reflectors but i;m really wondering if the 400's will be too much of a PITA.

anyone else with either of these configs that could provide feedback would be greatly appreciated to help me make a decision...especially the 400's

thanks

oh, forgot to mention it's 4x2x2

SHOmuchFUN · 10/12/2006, 11:10 AM

2x250's were perfect in my tank, especially with a good reflector.

Others will disagree with me when I say 400's are overkill.

russ49merc · 10/12/2006, 11:33 AM

I run 2 x 14k 250's on magnetic ballast and 2 46.5 super actinic's. I don't really have a problem with temp. but you are going to with those 400's what are you going to keep?
if you are going to have a softie "lps" tank then go with the 250's if you are going hard corals "sps" then go with the 400's but make sure they are 8 - 9 inches off the water and make sure you have a CHILLER

SHOmuchFUN · 10/12/2006, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by russ49merc
I run 2 x 14k 250's on magnetic ballast and 2 46.5 super actinic's. I don't really have a problem with temp. but you are going to with those 400's what are you going to keep?
if you are going to have a softie "lps" tank then go with the 250's if you are going hard corals "sps" then go with the 400's but make sure they are 8 - 9 inches off the water and make sure you have a CHILLER

I've kept hard corals in a 120 with T-5s before.
The 250's are plenty to keep anything you're going to throw at it. Trust me

CapnKick · 10/12/2006, 11:50 AM

My 120 runs about 82 degrees with 2x250 MH and 4x48 VHO. AND, I have a crocea growing at record rates in the sand bed. I think 400w is unneccessary on your tank.

horkn · 10/12/2006, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SHOmuchFUN
2x250's were perfect in my tank, especially with a good reflector.

Others will disagree with me when I say 400's are overkill.

i will agree with you. 2x250 is perfect for a 120.

one of the presidents of my local reef club runs 2x250 (se) on his 120, and his tank is amazing. great sps , lps, and softie growth, and coloration

russ49merc · 10/12/2006, 11:59 AM

Ok the people have spoken and I'm wrong.

My tank is beautiful with the setup I have. I just know people that run sps and they say with the 250's they would like to have just a little more light.

SHOmuchFUN
And you can run any lighting over the tank and things will live But i think the growth is where the higher wattages come into effect

fishyface · 10/12/2006, 12:58 PM

excellent feedback, thanks guys. only reason i was thinkin bout the 400's was cause the LFS guy told me i may not be able to hold the desired colours of the sps i was hoping for. i really am hoping to stay away from chillers if at all possible so perhaps i'll do the 250's...maybe cram a few t5's for dawn, dusk and to just suppliment the MH.

SHOmuchFUN · 10/12/2006, 01:00 PM

Perfect setup IMO is 2x250w MH (SE or DE) with T-5 Blue Plus Actinics.

Good to go

benf · 10/12/2006, 01:54 PM

I run 2 250's with 14k phoenix bulbs.

I run mine so the angles are left to right. Do run yours that way or front to back ??

CapnKick · 10/12/2006, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by benf
I run 2 250's with 14k phoenix bulbs.

I run mine so the angles are left to right. Do run yours that way or front to back ??

I run my 14K Phoenix left to right, I don't have room to situate the pendants front to back.

Regarding a chiller, my tank runs pretty hot with the lighting I have, and I was hoping to live without a chiller. I could live with 82-83 degrees, but I'm always cleaning brown "dust" off of my acrylic...I guess I know where my bonus is going.

benf · 10/12/2006, 03:53 PM

yeah i bought a month ago a JBJ 1/3hp for mine...too hot here in florida.

10/12/2006, 10:24 AM	#1
fishyface Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: surrey, bc Posts: 135	lighting for 120 debating with myself wether to go 2x250's or 2x400's MH. i'd like to be able to keep virtually anything but am wondering about heat and humidity issues if i got to the 400's. i'm using luminarc mini's as reflectors but i;m really wondering if the 400's will be too much of a PITA. anyone else with either of these configs that could provide feedback would be greatly appreciated to help me make a decision...especially the 400's thanks oh, forgot to mention it's 4x2x2

10/12/2006, 11:10 AM	#2
SHOmuchFUN Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Vermont Posts: 4,461	2x250's were perfect in my tank, especially with a good reflector. Others will disagree with me when I say 400's are overkill. __________________ Erik Engstrom President, Vermont Marine Aquarists. Current Tank Info: Custom 180gal, 6x80w ATI T-5s, (2) Tunze 6025, Vortec MP40w, MSX200 w/ red demon, controlled by AcJR.

10/12/2006, 11:50 AM	#5
CapnKick Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: San Francisco Posts: 189	My 120 runs about 82 degrees with 2x250 MH and 4x48 VHO. AND, I have a crocea growing at record rates in the sand bed. I think 400w is unneccessary on your tank. __________________ Curator of the North Point Marine Aquarium & Bar Current Tank Info: 120G reef, 29G sump/refugium, 2x250W DE MH, 4x110W VHO, AquaC EV180

10/12/2006, 12:58 PM	#8
fishyface Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: surrey, bc Posts: 135	excellent feedback, thanks guys. only reason i was thinkin bout the 400's was cause the LFS guy told me i may not be able to hold the desired colours of the sps i was hoping for. i really am hoping to stay away from chillers if at all possible so perhaps i'll do the 250's...maybe cram a few t5's for dawn, dusk and to just suppliment the MH. __________________ darryl Current Tank Info: 120g reef in the making, custom sump and stand. RS250 skimmer, Luminarc minis with 250w aquaconnect bulbs, 4x54w T5's

10/12/2006, 01:00 PM	#9
SHOmuchFUN Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Vermont Posts: 4,461	Perfect setup IMO is 2x250w MH (SE or DE) with T-5 Blue Plus Actinics. Good to go __________________ Erik Engstrom President, Vermont Marine Aquarists. Current Tank Info: Custom 180gal, 6x80w ATI T-5s, (2) Tunze 6025, Vortec MP40w, MSX200 w/ red demon, controlled by AcJR.

10/12/2006, 11:33 AM	#3
russ49merc Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Winchester CA Posts: 1,052	I run 2 x 14k 250's on magnetic ballast and 2 46.5 super actinic's. I don't really have a problem with temp. but you are going to with those 400's what are you going to keep? if you are going to have a softie "lps" tank then go with the 250's if you are going hard corals "sps" then go with the 400's but make sure they are 8 - 9 inches off the water and make sure you have a CHILLER

10/12/2006, 11:59 AM	#7
russ49merc Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Winchester CA Posts: 1,052	Ok the people have spoken and I'm wrong. My tank is beautiful with the setup I have. I just know people that run sps and they say with the 250's they would like to have just a little more light. SHOmuchFUN And you can run any lighting over the tank and things will live But i think the growth is where the higher wattages come into effect

10/12/2006, 01:54 PM	#10
benf Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: wesley chapel, florida Posts: 4,031	I run 2 250's with 14k phoenix bulbs. I run mine so the angles are left to right. Do run yours that way or front to back ?? __________________ Ben Current Tank Info: None :(

10/12/2006, 03:53 PM	#12
benf Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: wesley chapel, florida Posts: 4,031	yeah i bought a month ago a JBJ 1/3hp for mine...too hot here in florida. __________________ Ben Current Tank Info: None :(