Hex Tank Lighting Suggestions Needed

straycat · 06-11-2006, 09:55 PM

I have a 55 Hex tank with the usual saltwater fish, shrimp, goby, snail, etc. and live rock. I have nothing special for lighting "yet" and need your advice. My hood will accept a lighting system 25" long total and 12" wide total, heigth is not a problem as I can make the canopy taller if need be. My first choice is tube type over the pendant type but what do I know! Need more lighting to stimulate my live rock and soft corals, polyps, anemone, etc. Got any advice and or brands and parts #bers? Thanks a bunch, Lon

rchull69 · 06-11-2006, 09:57 PM

1x400w MH 14K, maybe even a 12k.

tims · 06-11-2006, 09:58 PM

Lon,
that is one of the problems withthe Hex tanks.. i havea 60 g. dry for now.
you willhave to rig up a MH lighting system to get good growth for the corals becasue of the way the tank is deep. if it is possble try and do a pendant lighting system . and if possible add a over flow and sump to it.

straycat · 06-11-2006, 10:16 PM

I have a 6 month old underground plenum I built using the GARP info and a Ramora C, not the pro, but all seems to be working well as I have not lost any living thing yet, knock on wood! Soooooooooo Bob what does the 1x400w MH stand 4?
Tim, if I did go with the pendant which one? From who? AND will it sit directly on my plastic tank top and melt it or? Thanks guys, Lon

rchull69 · 06-11-2006, 10:23 PM

You could do something like this and hang it above the tank without the lid on the tank:

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-400-watt-MET...QQcmdZViewItem

Or you could do it with a pendant like this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Metal-Halide-pen...QQcmdZViewItem

which looks better, but less power, which may be a problem for what is at the bottom of the tank.