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| General Reef Discussion In this forum we discuss issues related to keeping marine and reef aquariums in a friendly flame-free environment. |
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11-17-2006, 11:23 AM
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#1
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The Mad Reefer
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Baltimore, md
Posts: 454
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Metal Halide question???????????
I am about to get a new light system for my tank and it has 560 watts. I was wondering is that too much light for the tank? Or is there such a thing as too much light.
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__________________
Nobody told me there was so much to this hobby.
72 gal bow front w/15 gal sump 
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11-17-2006, 11:30 AM
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#2
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Salem, OR
Posts: 170
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There is such a thing as too much light, but it would depend on the tank. What are the dimmensions of the tank? How much of those watts are from halides? What corals are you trying to keep? All of these will influence your lighting needs.
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11-17-2006, 11:41 AM
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#3
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The Mad Reefer
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Baltimore, md
Posts: 454
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The tank dimmensions are 48"x18"x22". The metal halide put off 300 watts. right now I have a torch coral, frogspawn, pipe organ, xenia, kenya tree, and a purple sea anemone. I would like to get a clam and maybe get some sps.
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__________________
Nobody told me there was so much to this hobby.
72 gal bow front w/15 gal sump
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11-17-2006, 11:48 AM
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#4
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Salem, OR
Posts: 170
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So, it has two 150 watt halides. I think you should be fine. That is plenty of light for a mixed reef. You may want to keep the more light demanding sps at the top. 22" of water will reduce your light significantly at the bottom of the tank.
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11-17-2006, 11:50 AM
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#5
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The Mad Reefer
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Baltimore, md
Posts: 454
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  thanks for the info. I am making sure it wasn't too much before I spent my money on the fixture. Now I can make push the payment complete button
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__________________
Nobody told me there was so much to this hobby.
72 gal bow front w/15 gal sump
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11-17-2006, 11:53 AM
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#6
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Just some guy, you know?
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 18,936
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Definitally not too much light.
But, if you want to keep SPS or High light clams I would seriousally consider the 250W hilides, they put off way more light, especially with a tank that's 22" deep.
Whiskey
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Vagabond
Computers are the worlds most plentiful source of unique, and unimaginable problems.
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11-17-2006, 11:55 AM
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#7
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Salem, OR
Posts: 170
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No Problem.
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11-17-2006, 11:59 AM
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#8
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Salem, OR
Posts: 170
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I would agree with wiskey on his statement. With the 150's, you will end up with about the same watts in actinics as you have in halides. The 250's will be a much more prominent light.
For what it is worth my tank is 22" deep and I will be going with 250de bulbs.
Good luck.
AJ
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11-17-2006, 12:48 PM
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#9
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The Mad Reefer
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Baltimore, md
Posts: 454
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thanks for the info. I didn't realize that wasn't enough light for some clams.
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__________________
Nobody told me there was so much to this hobby.
72 gal bow front w/15 gal sump
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11-17-2006, 12:56 PM
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#10
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Just some guy, you know?
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 18,936
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You could do it if you put the clams right under the lamps, but really you want your clams lower down so you can see the mantle. Same deal with SPS if you want your SPS to only be right under the light then OK, but if you want more versitaty and better growth then you really should look into 250W lamps.
Whiskey
__________________
Vagabond
Computers are the worlds most plentiful source of unique, and unimaginable problems.
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11-17-2006, 05:23 PM
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#11
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Shark
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Toledo OH
Posts: 4,978
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Yes get the 250's to have very happy corals and clams.......plus everything else it will be fine lighting.......
Could get by w/ 150w MH's but beter to get the 250's!
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They are all gone!  NOW Planning 150g+ 
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11-17-2006, 06:23 PM
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#12
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The Bitter Mod
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 5,586
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Start saving your money for a chiller. You will almost certainly need it by summer.
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Kick over the walls,cause governments to fall
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Let fury have the hour
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If you know that you can use it
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11-17-2006, 08:51 PM
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#13
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Reefless Reefer
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Durham, NC
Posts: 20,561
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i had 1100w over my 125 before i went BB!!
G~
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Think Tanker
Friends Don't Let Friends Use Refugiums!
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"J" crowd member.
My Build Thread
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11-17-2006, 09:20 PM
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#14
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Shark
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: new york city
Posts: 7,347
Reviews: 40
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also another thing to consider is the k's of the lights' Higher k's mean bluer lights I have a 150 gallon with 2 175 watt lights and they have 1500k and that's a nice soft blue the last set of lights I had were 10000ks and they were pretty yellow
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Lions, Triggers and blennies! Oh My!
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11-17-2006, 09:32 PM
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#15
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The Mad Reefer
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Baltimore, md
Posts: 454
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I think I will look into the 250's
__________________
Nobody told me there was so much to this hobby.
72 gal bow front w/15 gal sump
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