Lighting help!

[Ammck]

Hi All,
I would really appreciate your opinions.
IM trying to make a decision on a light set up for my tank!
My Tank is 48” long x 18” wide X 22” tall, with a 4”DSB.
For sure, I want soft corals, and in the future maybe SPS corals and possibly clams. I figure I better get the right fixture now.

So far Im interested in three systems

System One:
http://hellolights.com./48fixtures.html
Which are the 2-MH 175 W, 10,000k bulbs, and 2-110w VHO bulbs
Q1) First question, would I be limited with this set up?
Q2) Also, how high would I have to keep the fixture above my tank?

System Two:
4X96w PC ABS hood with two 6700K and two actinic lamp. Includes remote ballast, lamps, endcaps, and reflector. Independent controls for dusk/dawn effect. 48""x12""x4""
CSL PC48496-ABS HOOD…………..
http://www.championlighting.com/e/en...ghting/pc.html

Q3) Would I be limited with this system?

System three:
http://www.aquaticco.com/250mhcf.htm

MHCF48-250 - A 48" Metal Halide Fixture Includes : 48" Light Fixture with Tempered Glass Lense. Power Supply for (2) 250-Watt Metal Halide's, Power Supply for (2) 96-Watt Compact Fluorescent's, Polished aluminum Reflector and (2) Cooling Fans

Q4) is this system overkill?
Q5) How high would I have to keep the fixture above my tank?


Let me know if you need more info.
Thanks!!!!!!!!
Alex

[MontanaRocknReefer]

Hi Alex! Well I have the same size tank that you do and I went with your 3rd option(2-250wwMH 10,000k German bulb and 2-96ww PC bulbs Actinic 03.)
I will have the set-up on my tank by the end of the weekend and will post some pics so you can see for yourself. I am not really fond of PC's as the actinic is not true blue. Two 110ww VHO actinics would be better in my opinion.
I should be able to keep just about anything with my new light system. Better to get the best you can now and save money on a future upgrade.

[Ammck]

Johnny,

How high above the top of your tank are you going to mount your lights.

thanks,
alex

[Doug1]

Alex, FWIW heres my thoughts
#1 option I dont like Corallife bulbs, and I dont like the fact that they offer no choice to change things. I DO howerever like the MH and VHO but for your 75g 250 is better choice
#2 option If you have read some of my occasionally lengthy rants you may surmise I dont't like PC lights. Thats not entirely true they are good deal on nanos but not bigger tanks
#3 of all the choices I like the 250 MH but not crazy bout the PC blue. The other thing is with this style striplight on steroids I think the best light spread might come from hanging it up a tad(light spill issues) Personally I would go for 250 MH 12K and a couple 50/50 VHO as a retro kit rather than the prefabed housing

[Krux]

with a 22 inch deep tank if you want to be able to keep absolutely everything should you find something nifty looking down the road you might want to look at the cost to go to a 400 watt system. this would mean on some of the corals that prefer less light that you might need to make some overhangs from your rock so they can get partial shade, but you can keep all sorts of acros and maximas very very happy with 400 watters.

250, more than enough, but if you want to absolutely only have to do it once, go 400w and vho imho.

[ldmk]

Although I agree with Krux that 400W would ensure that you don't have to upgrade later (until you buy that bigger tank - and you will ), the one problem with going with 400W is that both the Icecap and Blueline 400W e-ballasts are currently unavailable. According to MarineDepot the Icecaps are being redesigned and should be available some time in the middle of May. I tried writing to IceCap but didn't get a response on when the ballasts will be available.

If you aren't planning on getting e-ballasts, then I guess this isn't terribly relevant.

FWIW.

K.M.

[Junkzoo]

WELCOME!
I'm with Johnny's choice also,
i'm a big fan of Hamilton products for what it's worth,,
until i get the 200g up n running(i know, i know ),
my reef tank is a 75 , with 2-400W 10k MH's with 4- 55w PC actinics, monster lighting for that size tank, but no one's complaining(only my wife in the summer ). keeps the furnace from running much in the winter, and allows us to open the windows sooner in the spring !

it comes down to :
what you want to keep in the tank,unless you are the exception to the rule, and stay with what you start with LOL.

lights are not cheap,in intial cost, elect. bills,bulb replacement etc.,
get the best you can afford now,you'll be glad you did, and not regret what you get, cuz a lot of people upgrade lighting when they are not happy down the road with their lights.
adding lights is one thing, but a pain when you do a major change , after spending a lot $$ on something you recently got.

[leester]

Hi, I just ordered a dual 175 W blue wave II ballast, with the retro fit kit. Planning on using it over the new 75g with 1 96W act.PC and 2 55W combo PCs.... Good idea or not? Would like to do SPS and tridacs, LFS had lux meter, we looked @ 250W & 175s showed about 5000 lux @ bottom of 40gal breeder. Unless conversion was wrong (meter was in footcandles) he thought twin 250's would be way too much. What you guys are saying is that he's dead wrong.?!?!? any suggestions?

[Nubytuesday]

I have a 90 with the same dimensions, went w opt. #1 but with
2 250 MH it is in an enclosed canopy but even with all 3 sides open I have a heat issue,so I have to use a fan to cool the tank the lights are 11 1/2 '' off the water
I also have a 25 g sump w 3 maxi jet 1200s running
I use an iwaki 20rxlt to move the water so I do have quite a bit of water movement so i didnt think I would have the heat issue
I do have a large little giant for the skimmer that doesnt help
the heat isssue
anyhow stick to your first choice unless you want to get a chiller
my fan causes quite a bit of evaporatiion.
and yes I already want a 24 in wide tank ,oh I also have a 4-6 in DSB.

[Ammck]

Hey all,

Thanks again for your comments. Lighting is a tuff decision. Your dang if you do, and your dang if you don’t. I’ll keep reading and searching until I determine the best lighting system for my tank. Ill keep you all posted.

Thanks,
Alex

[Krux]

nuby brings up a good point, how hot does your place get in the summer there in detroit? lower wattage lights, or fans and more frequent top offs need to be kept in mind if it gets above about 80 degrees in the summer where you are.

[Ammck]

Yes, the heat issue is one of my biggest concerns.
The summers here in S.E. Michigan can be very hot and humid.

I know that 2- 250 w. MH and 2 Vho’s are the way to go for my tank.

However, I hear the high water temperatures stories that go with this lighting system.

IM still not certain with the type of lighting system ill go with.
It’s soooo aggravating because this is the last piece of equipment I need.

I know I know Patience

Thanks Again
Alex