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08-13-2005, 09:13 PM
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#1
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: ramsey,mn
Posts: 255
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right size halides for my tank size,Help
hello, i have a 210gal AGA reef ready tank size is 72"L x 24"W x 30" T. I currently am running 3-150watt hqi halides and 4-96watt atinics on this tank. My question is can I get away with using this amount of light to start a reef tank? I want to have a mixed reef some SPS, LPS also like to try out Clams. Is this something I should think about upgrading? to 250watt hqi's, or is this going to work? I was also thinking about 400watt halides, but I think that might be too much and might bleach corals. Whats your opinions on this.... what I have now 150hqi's, or switch to 250watt hqi's or 400watt? Thanks for your opinions
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08-13-2005, 09:24 PM
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#2
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Plankton
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: USA
Posts: 32
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Definetly not 400's!!
I would go with the 150's. If any thing 175's. You should do fine with 150's and LFS's but may need to migrate any SPS's towards the top. IM.O I would try to find 175's.
http://aquatraders.com/index.asp?Pag...TS&Category=24 |
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08-13-2005, 09:25 PM
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#3
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BIG SMELLY MOD
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Livingston Parish, Denham Springs, Louisiana
Posts: 16,806
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That is a hard one.I feel like ann landers,LOL. But it is border line. I think the 250 w will do You better on that tank. Even 400 watt. and VHO's better then the PC's.
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Vince aka VINNIE
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08-13-2005, 09:26 PM
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#4
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Admin/ Super mod
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: New Castle, Delaware
Posts: 20,218
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the 250's might be better.
the bleaching with the 400 is questionable.. given time and adjusting to the amount of light it gives off would be better. even if you change to 250's who ever is in there will have to be brought up slowly to the intensity.
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Tim
need something to read? just ask me.
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08-13-2005, 09:29 PM
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#5
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BIG SMELLY MOD
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Livingston Parish, Denham Springs, Louisiana
Posts: 16,806
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30 inch tall is pretty deep and 400 will work fine on it, Like all increase in lighting . Take your time.
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Vince aka VINNIE
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08-13-2005, 09:29 PM
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#6
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Admin/ Super mod
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: New Castle, Delaware
Posts: 20,218
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a litlle light reading... 
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Tim
need something to read? just ask me.
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08-13-2005, 09:37 PM
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#7
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Plankton
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: USA
Posts: 32
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Sorry I got my demensions mixed up. IMO the 250's 30" is too shallow for 400's. I have a link somewhere I'll try to find.
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08-13-2005, 09:40 PM
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#8
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Plankton
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: USA
Posts: 32
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08-13-2005, 09:42 PM
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#9
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Admin/ Super mod
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: New Castle, Delaware
Posts: 20,218
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a little more reading.. the main point for this thread is about 3/4 the way done
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Tim
need something to read? just ask me.
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08-13-2005, 09:43 PM
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#10
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BIG SMELLY MOD
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Livingston Parish, Denham Springs, Louisiana
Posts: 16,806
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"How Much Light do I need for my Aquarium Tank?
The amount of light needed depends on many factors: Tank Size/depth, intended livestock and personal taste. 175 Watt works very well for shallow tanks 18 " or less with mixed reef corals and sps and clams when placed higher in the tank. 250 watt works very well for tanks up to 24" deep with mixed reef and more concentration on sps and clams. 400 watt works very well for tanks up to 48" deep and is usually used for dedicated SPS and clam tanks."
400 will work fine.
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Vince aka VINNIE
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08-13-2005, 09:50 PM
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#11
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Plankton
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: USA
Posts: 32
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There is a big difference between 30" and 48". I don't want to argue, monassas do what's eaiser for YOU. But I think we all agree nothing less than 250w and try to get the right color. I would reccomend 10-14k. Myself would go 14
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08-13-2005, 11:26 PM
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#12
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: ramsey,mn
Posts: 255
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i was thinking of going with a 250watt settup and if need be move the clams/hard corals up towards the top of the tank. Why are this lights so expensive? anyone looking for a 150watt hqi settup?lol
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08-13-2005, 11:32 PM
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#13
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Plankton
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: USA
Posts: 32
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The reason they are so expensive because they are not as mass produced as many types of bulbs such as Fluoro's, incan., MV, ect...
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08-13-2005, 11:35 PM
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#14
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Plankton
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: USA
Posts: 32
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08-14-2005, 07:43 AM
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#15
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Big Fishy
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Anderson / Belton S.C.
Posts: 637
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DIY is the best way to go if you need to save money.
You can build a DIY MH setup for around $150-175 per light, 250 or 400.
IMO if you like the blue look like 20k then I would go with a 20K 400w XM
the 250w 20Ks are not going to be as bright as say a 250w 10 or 14K.
I guess what I'm trying to say is the bluer you want the tank the higher the
wattage you'll need to get the same results. I don't think bleaching will be a problem
as long as you acclimate your corals to the light.
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