what type of lighting?

[mr.reef]

i need to know what type of lighting should i put on my 125g reef?

 

[mountainbiker619]

what is the water depth? space between water line and location where the lights are going to be? What type of corals?

 

[mr.reef]

72long/22hight/18wide how far up from the water should it be im planing on hanging the light fixture :roll:

 

[mountainbiker619]

do you plan on having a canopy? Here is Hamilton light company rule of thumb when it comes to MH's
For tank height 18" to 36" use MH 175W / 24" to 36" use MH 250W / 24" to 60" use MH 400W
The problem many people run into is if the lights are very powerfull aka 400W and the lights are located very near the water surface, that the lights will heat up the water to the point that a chiller is needed to control proper water temp.

 

[mr.reef]

mountainbiker what would you do if you was me? im trying to go the cheapest best way i can i really invested so much money when it was fish only pls help>thanks again everyone!

 

[Anonymous]

3x 250w mh (iwasakis)
vho actinics
http://www.1000bulbs.com
http://www.championlighting.com
http://www.hellolights.com

 

[mr.reef]

jbb

can i go with 400 mh? if not why not?

 

[mountainbiker619]

sure you can go with 400's..but I would make sure to leave ample amount of space between the light and water line. Like around 18 inches. And install some fans, just for safe measures.

 

[cmc1]

I believe he mentioned the least expensive, why would you need MH for fish only? Let alone 400 watt?? You'll most likely need few fans or even a chiller. PC or VHO will do if you plan on fish only or even softies.

 

[mountainbiker619]

he said it used to be a fish only, and now he wants to make it a reef.

 

[Anonymous]

I did not go with the 400's because I heard from a couple sources that the 400 iwasakis were yellower than the 250's

 

[mr.reef]

i was thinking of the ushios 400 them are pretty clear.

 

[mr.reef]

oh and i forgot thanks again mountainbiker :wink:

 

[mountainbiker619]

I would look into the 14K bulbs..heard they have a great spectrume..and should not need any blue acentics with them.

 

[wickerj]

If you're going to hang the lights with no canopy how about 3 400 watt pendants running 20K Radiums. That's all you'll need, no supplemental lighting. Hang them about 12-14 above the tank and you'll be fine.

FYI, My 400 watt 20K bulb is about 10" off the surface of the water in a canopy with a partially open back and I don't have any heat issues.

Good Luck,

Jeff

 

[tampavii]

Hi Guy
I am setting up a 220 galolon which is 84 long x 24 x 24 . I am building a canopy . I will be running 2 250 MH 10k along with 2 blue VHO. This fixtures is from hamilton and has fan built into it.
my question is how far from the water surface can I mount the fixture. I was thinking 6 inches . I dont think heat will be problem since i have good water movement on the water surface plus only have heater in sump. the fixture is 72 inches long so i am goinjg to mount it 6 inches from the side of the tank .
Any suggestion
thanks Capt gene

 

[mr.reef]

i wanna give everyone a great thanks you all been great help.
but i saw some prices on the 400 and i think i better go with 250`s