Lighting, What Would YOU Choose?

[JustDavidP]

It's a 56 Gallon Column (30"X18"X24") It's got a plastic center brace.



I want to do dual MH and 2X55W actinic PC. So, what would you do for MH? HQI/double ended? Single Moguls? What size?

I plan on keeping a deep sand bed. The brace is what is killing me. I've got a single 250W fixture and ballast, but it's not going to work. May be up for sale by the way.

So, shop for me. What would YOU do... where would YOU buy?

Dave

[Wiskey]

Wow,.. that kinda is a nightmare tank to light isn't it? T5's don't really work because it's 30" long not 36,.. and 2 MH over 30" is begging for heat problems,..

Lets start here,.. what kind of coral do you plan to keep in this tank? Do you plan to use a chiller?

Whiskey

[ckusnierek]

one 250W HQI should let you keep anything you want

[Wiskey]

Originally Posted by ckusnierek

one 250W HQI should let you keep anything you want

Yeah,.. but there is a plastic center brace right in the middle of the tank

Whiskey

[ckusnierek]

Oh yeah....

You could always go with 2 250's (mogul) high above the tank so you dont have to worry about heat. or go with 175's and only keep SPS in the top 1/2 of the tank...

[Jflip2002]

A 250w with a real nice reflector, like a lumenarc mini stealth (or something along those lines), lifted higher up maybe. Or a 24" 8 bulb T5 fixture, lifted a little higher up also, so the light can spread. Or you could get a couple 150-175w clamp on MHs, like from coralife, and put two on that beast.

either way, youre gonna have to go overkill on the light, and lift it higher up.

[chrischris]

what do you want to keep because that will be the deciding factor
likejflip said 8or 6 t5 24" bulbs

[JustDavidP]

Thanks for the replies. I ended up dozing off shortly after posting this.

First and foremost, yes, it is 24 inches tall, but I plan on keeping a deep sand bed in there. My 75G was 21 3/8, and I had a 3 inch sand bed (before understanding DSB) and had no problems with SPS and tridacnids. If I were to put in a 5 inch sand bed, this would bring the water column down significantly. I do hope to keep SPS and clams up on the reef, with zoanthids, ricordea and such lower and on the sand.

The reason I got this tank is because I'm stuck with laminar space issues. 32 Inches is the maximum length I have for this tank, in the family room (42" plasma won )

I want MH. I'm more concerned about a single fixture, due to the center brace. I figure, I may have to go for smaller, DE HQI's and do two of them. Heat SHOULDN'T be an issue. This system will be plumbed through the floor, into the basement, and into a 75G sump. The basement, is downright chilly, even in the Summer. I am building the canopy and would include fans in there as well.

Some have suggested cutting out the brace, and replacing it with glass. Dunno if I can sleep at night after that though. Others have said that the Luminarc lights and reflectors would neutralize the brace issue. Others have said, as long as you keep a 250 high enough, it shouldn't cook the brace OR cause shadow issues.

I truly respect TRT, the old salts (*cough* Whiskey) and your opinions... debate away!!! I've got some time. The rug needs to be ripped up and hardwood floors installed before I can even set this up. Let's hear some more ideas..

Dave

[crvz]

I may consider a couple 175W fixtures, but for the cost you may as well just do 2 250s. The 175 would bring the heat aspect down a little, but if you've got the cooling ability to handle the extra oomph from the 250's it's probably the most flexible solution.

[Loverotties]

(2) 175w should do good!

[YLChik]

Hey David,
Good to see you with a build!

ok i'm on spring break and so is my head so let me type what I am thinking....

a 5 inch sand bed brings the bottom of your tank to 19 inches from the top... true?

what about t5's?
4 staggered 24w? in a lower canopy... you would have some lower light areas to make lps happy and bring out different morphs in the same zoas ( more bang for your buck - and you no longer need to worry about cooling - or a crazy high canopy......

just a thought...

yes yes I know no shimmer, but I like em just the same....

or other bracing ideas...

Is it possible to cut the brace there out and reinforce with a eurobracing in acrylic to the plastic rim???????????

then you could do a 250 in a lumenbright or lumenarc and have plenty of light.....

ok must go to the wildlife park with the family now....

[luvmylo]

I think replacing the brace witha piece of a acrylic is an awesome idea. Then just use ur single 250 and that would be plenty

[JustDavidP]

Like this?



Dave

[luvmylo]

yep yep

[JustDavidP]

Alrighty...

After doing some reading (I'm all Sanjayed out) I'm going to find a Lumenarc reflector and see what I'm up against first. I'll try it with my 250 Mogul and ballast. I may be able to get away with this if there are no shadow issues. IF so, I'll revisit the center brace problem.

Dave