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03-13-2003, 09:28 PM
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#1
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Reefer in training
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Ridgewood, NJ
Posts: 1,463
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Lights for 120G
I'm ready to start looking at lights for my 120g. I contacted Hamilton Technology and they recommended the following:
4' DLX 2-175w 10K MH bulbs and 4-55w Actinic Blue Compact
Fluorescent bulbs. This system would include 2 fans, ballasts, black
aluminum hood, bulbs, lens, and an Electro white reflector.
I would want to hang the lights above the tank, but not sure how high I can go before the lights start to lose their effectiveness.
Any comments on the lights in install hints? 
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03-13-2003, 09:38 PM
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#2
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Sharpsburg GA
Posts: 158
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You could try pendants, if you don't go with a DSB i would get 250's but it depends what you want to grow, thats what I plan to do on my 120, i looked at the 400w pendants bot they are twice the diameter of the other pendants at 22" 
cya, Ross |
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03-13-2003, 10:05 PM
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#3
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Good boy
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Marietta, GA, USA
Posts: 7,889
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I definately would not go with 175's. 250 or 400 and you would have all the light you'll ever need.
Check with AquaticCo. Nice lights at good prices.
http://www.aquaticco.com
Personally I would hang the lights so that the bulbs are 8-12 inches above the water.
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03-13-2003, 10:07 PM
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#4
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Reefer in training
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Ridgewood, NJ
Posts: 1,463
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Can you have to much light? Has anyone played with trying to simulate the moon phases? I quess I should start reading about light and what I would want to put in the tank. |
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03-13-2003, 10:13 PM
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#5
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Eat more PIE
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Florida Panhandle
Posts: 18,610
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175s will be fine if you dont hang them to high I have some on my 30 hung 8 inchs above water.mo
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03-13-2003, 10:15 PM
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#6
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Reefer in training
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Ridgewood, NJ
Posts: 1,463
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I know light is critical. I will go with the highest watts I can go. What would I have to leave out of the tank if I decide to go with 250 or 400w? Or would it be OK to leave the light sensitive ones at the bottom some where? Haven't really done much research related to this yet.
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03-13-2003, 10:20 PM
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#7
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Eat more PIE
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Florida Panhandle
Posts: 18,610
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Go for the 400s then you can always put low light corals on bottom under ledges
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03-13-2003, 10:21 PM
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#8
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Sharpsburg GA
Posts: 158
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you can always keep mushrooms and such under ledges and overhangs, some mushrooms like more light than others, like Ricordias, An option would to go with 2*250 and have 2 110w VHO atinics or just have 2*250w and have them 20k. You could also do the 400s but i'm worried about heat
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03-13-2003, 10:23 PM
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#9
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Eat more PIE
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Florida Panhandle
Posts: 18,610
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the heat will be about the same with 250s or 400s
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03-13-2003, 10:24 PM
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#10
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Reefer in training
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Ridgewood, NJ
Posts: 1,463
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the tank is going to be a builtin, so I can hang the lights about as high as I want. How high should they be so heat wont be a problem?
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03-13-2003, 10:27 PM
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#11
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Reefer in training
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Ridgewood, NJ
Posts: 1,463
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Can anyone recommend a good book that would outline lighting effects on all types of reef dwellers?
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03-13-2003, 10:27 PM
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#12
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Eat more PIE
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Florida Panhandle
Posts: 18,610
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I would say 8 to 10 inchs and use fans.mo
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03-14-2003, 06:54 AM
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#13
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Shark
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Barcelona, Venezuela
Posts: 986
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Here's a link with several articles you may be interested on:
I have read some in the past.
I particularly like the one about photosynthesis and photoadaptation by Sanjay Joshi.
There are some articles about lab experiements with light bulbs. Interesting, but not very conclusive.
Enjoy:
http://mojoreefs.homestead.com/files...tanklinks.html
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03-14-2003, 09:02 AM
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#14
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Sharpsburg GA
Posts: 158
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Casey, good to know about the heat issue
Thanks  |
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03-14-2003, 11:06 AM
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#15
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Omaha, NE
Posts: 436
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Btang,
I have a hamilton 3' DLX with one 250W MH and two 55W PC's and two fans. I have been very happy with this setup. I originally had a 175W MH in the hood, but I yanked that about 6 months ago for a 250W. I noticed that you said you might hang this unit above your tank. The DLX hoods are pretty much made to sit directly on top of your tank, they do not have eyelets or hooks made to hang the hood. Hamilton may make something custom so that you may hang the hood but you might want to ask them about this. I think you should definetly go with the 250/400 versus the 175W MH.
I have my hood sitting on top of the tank, and I have a peice of egg crate cut to fit tight on the top to allow gas exchange and to keep the fish from carpet surfing. The only thing that is bad about my setup is that you have to move the hood every time you want to feed or get your hands into the tank. Hope this helps!
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KARSCO
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