| TCMAS Twin Cities Marine Aquarium Society Club Forum |
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04-05-2006, 04:15 PM
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#1
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Axis of Evil
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: United States
Posts: 255
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WTB for a new 120 g RR Oceanic
Is 3 x 250 w HQI too much for a 120 gal (48 X 24 X24)? I had 2 x 250w (though not HQI) on my Oceanic 58 gall (36 x18 x ?) and while it was bright, the sps/clams ( the same types to be held in the 120) loved it.
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04-05-2006, 04:18 PM
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#2
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TCMAS Member
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Brooklyn Center, MN
Posts: 5,665
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In most cases 2X250w HQI on a 48" tank will surfice. You can always put a third on but remember a 120 does not have the same luxary of no cross bracing that your 58g had so one fixture will have some light blockage from the brace.
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04-05-2006, 04:19 PM
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#3
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Getting the 120 up again!
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Rochester, Minnesota
Posts: 1,044
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That's not too much, however- is there a cross brace that would make a shadow through the tank if you placed one in the center??
__________________
 R.K.A member, Ken voted me in.
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04-05-2006, 04:22 PM
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#4
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TCMAS Member
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Brooklyn Center, MN
Posts: 5,665
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Unless things have changed recently, oceanics use glass cross brace so you won't get as much light shadow as an AGA or other tanks. I personally can't stand the glass brace because so wide and hard to keep clean and would actually prefer the plastic brace.
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04-05-2006, 04:22 PM
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#5
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Axis of Evil
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: United States
Posts: 255
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Nope, that is why I am going Oceanic - no brace. AGA has a brace....
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04-05-2006, 04:23 PM
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#6
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TCMAS Member
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Brooklyn Center, MN
Posts: 5,665
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I'm pretty sure it still has a brace and not totally open. The glass brace is a pain to keep clean.
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04-05-2006, 04:25 PM
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#7
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Axis of Evil
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: United States
Posts: 255
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David, I'll check on that, I haven't ordered the tank yet.... I asked that question and the rep said no...
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04-05-2006, 04:27 PM
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#8
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TCMAS Member
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Brooklyn Center, MN
Posts: 5,665
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Okay.
To answer your original question, 2X250W HQI will give good light coverage on a 48" long tank. You can always add a third later if you really feel the need.
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04-05-2006, 04:30 PM
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#9
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Axis of Evil
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: United States
Posts: 255
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Should I upgrade to electronic ballasts for the MH?
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04-05-2006, 04:32 PM
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#10
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TCMAS President
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Lakeland, MN
Posts: 4,943
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If you really want to go with 3 250's why not just go with 2 400's and then it will not be so cramped in, while still getting the high wattage?
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04-05-2006, 04:39 PM
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#11
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Axis of Evil
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: United States
Posts: 255
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David, you are correct... they have a clear glass brace... ugh! It's pretty sad that the distributors you talk to don't know crap about the products they supposedly sell
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04-05-2006, 04:39 PM
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#12
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: RED WING MN
Posts: 1,033
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it has a brace,
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04-05-2006, 04:56 PM
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#13
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TCMAS Member
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Brooklyn Center, MN
Posts: 5,665
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by mattb
Should I upgrade to electronic ballasts for the MH?
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If you already own the ballasts, you will never make up the initial cost of the new ballast in electrical savings. So if your old ballast will run the particular bulbs your thinking about usingl, I'd stick with your old ballast.
It's a little easier to justify when you don't already own any ballast as the cost difference is usually just a $20 or so bucks and electrical savings you will probably break even in about 3 years but when the cost difference is much greater because you have to re-purchase you will never get any savings and isn't worth it.
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