58 gallon lighting
- Thread starter lexusaht
- Start date
That is probably all that you need. I really depends upon what you'd like to keep and the overall "look" you want for your tank. If you answer those two questions, you'll probably get more feedback.
Personally, I like a 10k MH with VHO for actinic but this is a more costly lighting setup (but I can have dawn/dusk effects).
Personally, I like a 10k MH with VHO for actinic but this is a more costly lighting setup (but I can have dawn/dusk effects).
55 gal here. 175 watt MH and two 28 watt PC. I'm thinking of adding additional light in the form of NO or PC's but enjoy what I have now. I have high light and low light soft corals.
I don't need a chiller, hood is well ventilated, MH bulb is about 5 inches from the water, PC's a little closer.
I don't need a chiller, hood is well ventilated, MH bulb is about 5 inches from the water, PC's a little closer.
lexusaht,
For tank height 18" to 36" use MH 175W / 24" to 36" use MH 250W / 24" to 60" use MH 400W
that info came from Hamilton Technology homepage
http://www.hamiltontechnology.com/index.shtml
For tank height 18" to 36" use MH 175W / 24" to 36" use MH 250W / 24" to 60" use MH 400W
that info came from Hamilton Technology homepage
http://www.hamiltontechnology.com/index.shtml
I think a 400w is way of a over kill. Your tank is going to be so hott, that I am sure you will need a chiller. I am sure a 175w 14K MH would suit your needs.
http://www.hamiltontechnology.com/shop/ ... 36&cat=27&
3' RETROFIT 1MH ONLY KIT
w/14K bulb
http://www.hamiltontechnology.com/shop/ ... 36&cat=27&
3' RETROFIT 1MH ONLY KIT
w/14K bulb
I don't use a chiller and my 400 watt MH runs 9 hrs every day. I have 2 4" Radio Shack fans in my canopy which has a mostly open back and the temp never exceeds 79. In the summer both fans run in the winter I only run one fan.
Go with the 400 and you won't be sorry. Sure the 400 puts off a little more heat just plan for that when you set it up. Ue a fan on both ends of the canopy and have them blow in across the surface of the water.
PS: If you want to cover the entire 3' of the tank use a spider reflector.
Jeff
Go with the 400 and you won't be sorry. Sure the 400 puts off a little more heat just plan for that when you set it up. Ue a fan on both ends of the canopy and have them blow in across the surface of the water.
PS: If you want to cover the entire 3' of the tank use a spider reflector.
Jeff
I'm currently using a 400watt radium on my 58gallon. Canopy is custom, and about 12 inches above the water. Heat is an issue here in Oklahoma. I have three PC fans blowing in the back of the canopy, and have to leave the doors open for pass through air. As far as looks, the bulb has great coloration with an PFO HQI ballast. All that being said, I'm probably going with a 250 watt radium when I replace my bulb in a few months. It's just to bright. I have no coraline growing on any directly lighted area. The bulb has been running since July/August of last year, so plenty of acclimation time. Now I just have to pick a new ballast to run the 250watt.
I lived in Dallas for a couple of years and it's hot!!!! That being said I'm pretty sure they have air conditioning.
I have no idea what the diff is in temp between a 400 and a 250 so you may want to find that out if your concerned about it being to hot.
Jeff
I have no idea what the diff is in temp between a 400 and a 250 so you may want to find that out if your concerned about it being to hot.
Jeff
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