What to use to light a column tank?

trailer · 11/16/2006, 10:16 PM

Hello all,

I have a 47 gallon column tak which I would like to use as a reef tank. A pile of LR in the middle like a pyramid and still have a good amount of room above the tank for the fish to swim . The question is what type of light would be best for this tank to be able to penetrate to the floor and still be able to grow softies and sps? the dimensions are 20(wide)x18(deep)x30(tall). I was thinking a sunpod 150w but i think that might be too weak to reach the bottom. Maybe a retrofit? I am new to coral lighting needs so any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Ruu · 11/16/2006, 10:39 PM

250W DE in a ReefOptixIII pendant. Phoenix 14K bulb, but thats just my opinion. 150W isn't that much for 30 inches, and 400W is going to throw some heat at a small tank like that.

Ps - Many fish have trouble swimming above the tank for any extended period of time.

Dave

trailer · 11/17/2006, 07:29 AM

Dave,

Thanks for the suggestion. HA HA, yes fish sure do have a hard time swimming above the tank. I meant swimming above the LR and corals. It was late and I was tired. Please excuse my ignorance but what does "DE" stand for?

Ruu · 11/17/2006, 10:30 AM

Double-ended (sometimes, somewhat mistakenly referred to as HQI). Some of the DE reflectors have a design that seems to increase intensity at the cost of a smaller light spread. This would be exactly what you want for a deep tank with a relatively small footprint.

Dave

Ruu · 11/17/2006, 10:48 AM

And since I'm feeling helpful on my day off, you can have a look at all the bits you would need here:

ROIII

You might also want to google "sanjay reef lighting" too. A lot more information there that can be trusted more than some random opinionated postings on a forum.

Dave

11/16/2006, 10:16 PM	#1
trailer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Mechanicsburg, PA Posts: 64	What to use to light a column tank? Hello all, I have a 47 gallon column tak which I would like to use as a reef tank. A pile of LR in the middle like a pyramid and still have a good amount of room above the tank for the fish to swim . The question is what type of light would be best for this tank to be able to penetrate to the floor and still be able to grow softies and sps? the dimensions are 20(wide)x18(deep)x30(tall). I was thinking a sunpod 150w but i think that might be too weak to reach the bottom. Maybe a retrofit? I am new to coral lighting needs so any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks

11/16/2006, 10:39 PM	#2
Ruu Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Cherry Hill, NJ Posts: 1,037	250W DE in a ReefOptixIII pendant. Phoenix 14K bulb, but thats just my opinion. 150W isn't that much for 30 inches, and 400W is going to throw some heat at a small tank like that. Ps - Many fish have trouble swimming above the tank for any extended period of time. Dave

11/17/2006, 07:29 AM	#3
trailer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Mechanicsburg, PA Posts: 64	Dave, Thanks for the suggestion. HA HA, yes fish sure do have a hard time swimming above the tank. I meant swimming above the LR and corals. It was late and I was tired. Please excuse my ignorance but what does "DE" stand for?

11/17/2006, 10:30 AM	#4
Ruu Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Cherry Hill, NJ Posts: 1,037	Double-ended (sometimes, somewhat mistakenly referred to as HQI). Some of the DE reflectors have a design that seems to increase intensity at the cost of a smaller light spread. This would be exactly what you want for a deep tank with a relatively small footprint. Dave

11/17/2006, 10:48 AM	#5
Ruu Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Cherry Hill, NJ Posts: 1,037	And since I'm feeling helpful on my day off, you can have a look at all the bits you would need here: ROIII You might also want to google "sanjay reef lighting" too. A lot more information there that can be trusted more than some random opinionated postings on a forum. Dave