MH lighting question

[stempy]

Hi, I am starting my first reef tank, a 180 gallon (72x24x24), and have everythign up and running minus probably the most important part, lighting. I currently have 2 36" coralife PC fixtures on it (392w) so I'm obviously going to have to supplement that. I was looking at possibly 2 250w pendants, or a 72" sunpod with 3 150w bulbs. Now I guess what my question is, do I really need 3? My general tank layout has 2 "reefs" 1 on each side of the tank with a sand bed in between to open it up some. SO I was thinking I could use the PC's as actinic supplements and 2 250w pendants hanging over each end of the aquarium, would this be sufficient?

Thank you for any input!
Scott

[Hop]

I tried to run mine that way and I didn't like the lack of light in the middle. Maybe it won't bother you or maybe you can start with 2 and add a 3rd later.

[stempy]

do you think the 150x3 plus the 392w of PC lighting would be enough? I'm not planning on any SPS in the near future as this is my first foray into reef keeping. I'm planning on starting out with softies to get the feel for it before I dive head first in! I almost bought the sunpod 150x3 but wondered if the 150s would be ok with a 2ft tall tank.

[Hop]

Sure. You just put the corals where they do the best. Higher light demanding corals toward the top and the rest lower

[Loverotties]

Every 2' should be a Mh.And depending what you want will detemine the size of Mh you need.But I'd go with the 250s.

[stempy]

Thanks for the input, I'm gonna try and go for the sunpod 3x150's if I lose that auction I'll just buy 2 of the Fishneedit 250 pendants and buy a 3rd later on (when I can afford it!) God it sucks to be poor and have this as a hobby

[dcmartinpc]

I would try and stick with the 3 light solution, if at all possible. The 2 light will leave a lot to be desired, unless you are running them in Lumenarc or equivalent reflectors. They can cover a 3x3 spread.

3 x 150's will be just fine as long as you keep all SPS in the top third of the aquarium, if you are planning to keep SPS

Good luck and keep checking here if you have any questions. We are all willing to help!

Don

[stempy]

Thanks for your guys input, I appreciate it a lot! This is gonna be my first attempt at reefkeeping in over 20 years in the hobby My next question involves waterflow, as in is there such a thing as to much. I bought 3 maxi jet 1200's with the sure flo mod using the 2100gph prop. There is SO much waterflow the sand is being kicked up like crazy, instant cloudy water lol! Everything I've read is telling me to go all out on waterflow within the tank but looking at it, it seems excessive. Should I only use 2 along with the Iwaki 70 MDRLT return pump? or should I just let it run wild with all 3? Its set up with the 2 returns shoooting at an angle towards the opposite ends/front, 1 maxi jet on each end of the tank, and one on the back of the tank in the middle shooting straight at the front.

[Neuticle]

You absolutely do not have too much flow. A tank that big will eventually need much more flow.

[stempy]

took your advice and added a 4th modded MJ, water flow is looking very good. Also got my MH lights in and the lighting is looking good except now with the MH fixture and the coralife PC fixtures I literally have no room to access the aquarium Do you guys think I could swap out the PC lighting fixtures (2x192w) for a VHO kit, I was thinking 2 6ft 160w actinic lights, that should give me some exta room up top but I'm second guessing my lighting choices now.

[stempy]

bump any thoughts on if 2 ft VHO's will be equal to the PC's I love my PC's but all I see is negativity surrounding them on the forums. Besides the cost (and space saving) of replacing 4 bulbs at a time at $40 each :/