[dancn]

does the same rule of thumb apply to mh when choosing lighting? and those pendants dont look like they could light a whole tank. sorry for the ignorance.

 

[bamann345]

a MH lamp will cover 2 square feet or a tank. A pendants will do the same if hung right, or less is closer to the tank. Most people use higher watts for deeper tanks. Hope this helps some!

 

[ckreef]

length of tank determines # of pendants

1 - 2 feet = 1 pendant
3 feet = 1 or 2 pendant personal choice
4 feet = 2 pendant

ect.......

Depth of tank determines wattage

12" or less = 150 HQI
12" - 16" = 175 watt SE
16" - 22" = 250 watt SE or HQI
more than 22" = 400 watt SE or HQI

Of course there are many people who will have a differing opnion but that should get you started anyway.

Note : HQI is the double ended little bulbs that require a UV shield and SE is the Single Ended bulbs no UV shield required

 

[dancn]

thanks for the input, i keep thinking about that 75 g im setting up and i was gonna do fish only but im tempted to do a reef tank. dont they have a warning label in stores that say "reef keeping is like crack"?

 

[bamann345]

I think you would be fine with 2-175 watt MH and 2 48 or the 46.5 VHO actinics. If you wanted to splerge get 250s!

 

[MyReef]

For the price difference, I would do two 250's on a 75. When I had my 75, I had 175's and then I upgraded to 250s and it was a world of difference.