smaller tank size lighting question.

ErikAnderson · 12/04/2006, 10:06 PM

Ok i have a 37gal that is 30 inches long by 21ish inches tall.

not the optimum little reef tank i know.

i have been running a coralife setup 2 65x bulbs, but i wanted to step up to a MH setup in order to keep some SPS corals.

i bought a 175w pendant off ebay, 14000 bulb, so far i am not happy with the results. the light does not seem very "spread out" as to what i am used to with a hood setup.

However, my options seem a bit restricted when it comes to finding a hood setup that will cover my 30" tank top.

i was thinking of:

a) throwing two 150W MH Viper HQI lights, one on each side of the tank.

b) a 2 foot hood (3 inches of dead space on each side) Prostar 250w with 2 additional 65 w bulbs

c) ?????

i want to make SPS corals happy. This 175 watt pendant seems a bit silly to me.

Any suggestions?
Right now, budget is not really the issue, finding a lighting system that works is.

pete620 · 12/05/2006, 02:30 AM

Metal halides have about a 2'x2' coverage at eight inches. So maybe you need to raise your fixture. I have a 250Watt MH pendant about 12" above my water and it works well for me.

hahnmeister · 12/05/2006, 02:47 AM

That has to be the worst set of dimensions for a reef tank... tall, but skinny, and less not exactly long either. Considering the cost, Id can the tank and get a 40Breeder or something easier. Seriously... Id do it.

12/04/2006, 10:06 PM	#1
ErikAnderson Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Oak Harbor Posts: 83	smaller tank size lighting question. Ok i have a 37gal that is 30 inches long by 21ish inches tall. not the optimum little reef tank i know. i have been running a coralife setup 2 65x bulbs, but i wanted to step up to a MH setup in order to keep some SPS corals. i bought a 175w pendant off ebay, 14000 bulb, so far i am not happy with the results. the light does not seem very "spread out" as to what i am used to with a hood setup. However, my options seem a bit restricted when it comes to finding a hood setup that will cover my 30" tank top. i was thinking of: a) throwing two 150W MH Viper HQI lights, one on each side of the tank. b) a 2 foot hood (3 inches of dead space on each side) Prostar 250w with 2 additional 65 w bulbs c) ????? i want to make SPS corals happy. This 175 watt pendant seems a bit silly to me. Any suggestions? Right now, budget is not really the issue, finding a lighting system that works is.

12/05/2006, 02:30 AM	#2
pete620 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Southern Virginia Posts: 142	Metal halides have about a 2'x2' coverage at eight inches. So maybe you need to raise your fixture. I have a 250Watt MH pendant about 12" above my water and it works well for me.

12/05/2006, 02:47 AM	#3
hahnmeister Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brew City, WI Posts: 10,156	That has to be the worst set of dimensions for a reef tank... tall, but skinny, and less not exactly long either. Considering the cost, Id can the tank and get a 40Breeder or something easier. Seriously... Id do it.