lighting help

jeff Ferguson · 11/09/2006, 07:43 PM

just finished my basment...I have a 55 gallon that is built into the wall and a room behind it so i can work on my tank....thiiking of going with 2 250 watt metal halids with the ice cap ballast...Is this good enough lighting to keep acropora i want to have alot of stonie corals...the other ? is what bulbs should i get i have a choice between evc 10k-14K 0r 20 k or the hamilton 14 k or the aqualine 10k...please all help would be apreciated

Henry Bowman · 11/09/2006, 09:42 PM

I was researching MH's when I started looking at T5's. I ended up going with a T5 set up due to energy and heat. However, I would have gone with 2 250's With XMD 10K's They beat the aqualines and hamiltons in par on Sanjay's info on this site.

If you cant do the XM's go with the EVC's

By the way, that's a boatload of light for a 55. Depending on the dimensions of the tank, you may be better off with 150 - 175's
a properly hung MH will cover a 2X2 area.

jeff Ferguson · 11/14/2006, 10:51 AM

should i go with the 14k evc's?
heating is not a problem since it will be in the basment!!!

jeff Ferguson · 11/14/2006, 10:52 AM

is it a must to have a calcium reactor??? I know nothing about that??? I use the 2 part b-ionic on my 30 gallon reef now..... All info will be apreciated....

11/09/2006, 07:43 PM	#1
jeff Ferguson Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: cincinnati ohio Posts: 99	lighting help just finished my basment...I have a 55 gallon that is built into the wall and a room behind it so i can work on my tank....thiiking of going with 2 250 watt metal halids with the ice cap ballast...Is this good enough lighting to keep acropora i want to have alot of stonie corals...the other ? is what bulbs should i get i have a choice between evc 10k-14K 0r 20 k or the hamilton 14 k or the aqualine 10k...please all help would be apreciated

11/09/2006, 09:42 PM	#2
Henry Bowman Reefing since '87 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Allegheny Mountains of VA Posts: 2,162	I was researching MH's when I started looking at T5's. I ended up going with a T5 set up due to energy and heat. However, I would have gone with 2 250's With XMD 10K's They beat the aqualines and hamiltons in par on Sanjay's info on this site. If you cant do the XM's go with the EVC's By the way, that's a boatload of light for a 55. Depending on the dimensions of the tank, you may be better off with 150 - 175's a properly hung MH will cover a 2X2 area. __________________ Have a good'un Current Tank Info: 90 gl SPS dominant / upgrade in the works

11/14/2006, 10:51 AM	#3
jeff Ferguson Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: cincinnati ohio Posts: 99	should i go with the 14k evc's? heating is not a problem since it will be in the basment!!!

11/14/2006, 10:52 AM	#4
jeff Ferguson Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: cincinnati ohio Posts: 99	is it a must to have a calcium reactor??? I know nothing about that??? I use the 2 part b-ionic on my 30 gallon reef now..... All info will be apreciated....