Lighting

[ChrisRD]

Thanks for the replies. I have to dig deep in my pockets for my lights.
2x250w it is.

If you go with the 2x250 setup and cost is an issue the Iwasaki lamps, as Shane suggested, are a great choice. The lamps are cheap and last a long time (keeps lamp replacement costs down). They also run well on the cheaper ballasts (standard or MV, as opposed to HQI or Pulse Start)They are also extremely bright for 250s.

The only downside to them (depending on what look you are after) is that they are a bit yellow/green looking, but in your case you can use your PCs for actinic to improve the appearance.

Having all that wattage over a 45 gallon tank I'd be concerned about heat. Is the room that the tank is in climate controlled (ie. AC in the Summer)? Plan on some good fans in the hood at the very least.

HTH

 

[Anonymous]

I agree that more light is better. However, placement is the real issue. With that current lighting you could keep monti's and seriatopora's(or is that seriatopori?).

I keep seriatopora in my 125 under VHOs. It is placed 4-6 inches deep in the tank. I wouldn't dare move it lower, but at this level it is growing quite rapidly. I also keep a LTA at the bottom of the tank and she looks great.

Just keep'em up high. Clams on the other hand....I have no experience....so I have no comment on their care.

I plan on adding a 150w HQI/DE 10k bulb so I can add acros at the end of the year.

 

[xrunner123]

Having all that wattage over a 45 gallon tank I'd be concerned about heat. Is the room that the tank is in climate controlled (ie. AC in the Summer)? Plan on some good fans in the hood at the very least.

My basement is about 70F during the hotest times of the year. 74 worst case and just a few weeks. Will I have a problem?

....Just keep'em up high.

When you say keep em high, how high? 2 inches from the top or 12 inches? My tank is 24" high but only 12 inches deep, so I can't ramp up slowly. It may be more of a steep wall.

I'm kinda pissed because I just got done making this hood for this tank and the next day my 7 inch Jack Dempsy dies (pissed about that more). He was about 6 years old. Well if I knew that, I woulda converted that tank (55gal) to a reef and moved all the stuff over and made a hood for that one.

I also have a 125FOWLR, which I would love to make a full reef.

Thanks.
8)

 

[ChrisRD]

My basement is about 70F during the hotest times of the year. 74 worst case and just a few weeks. Will I have a problem?

I don't think so. If your setup is in the basement (or if you have a large sump in your basement) you'll probably be able to manage heat with some fans. I'd plan on a couple in the canopy and something over the sump.

When you say keep em high, how high? 2 inches from the top or 12 inches?

I would say this will depend on a few factors, for example what reflectors you're using, the footprint of your tank (ie. you'll want to match the spread to the area you're lighting), how much of a heat issue your lights are causing, salt spray on the lamps, etc.

FWIW, I like to keep my lamps about 8" above the water. Plan your canopy to allow a little more than the height you anticipate needing so you have some mounting flexibility.

 

[xrunner123]

I haven't done anything yet because I may turn my 125 into a reef and get rid of the 45gal

So with what I want, what kind of lighting should I get?

4x 175W? 4x250W? 2x250w?

I wish there was a handly matrix of lighting requirements vs tank size/depth.

Thanks

 

[xrunner123]

There was a company out in Maryland that sold used and slighly damaged canopies at a fraction of the price. I forgot the company.

Anyone know of it?
Thanks

 

[Anonymous]

My 125 is in the basement and the temp hits 79-80*f in the basement and the temp has never gone above 83*f. With a max temp of 74*f your tank shouldn't hit more than 80*f. Six degrees is a lot of heat generation. Remember that 78-82* are all great temps for reef tanks. Fans can help if the temp goes higher.

If you want SPS corals place them high on the rockwork. 4-10 inches below the surface will do.

If you are going bigger, then get the biggest baddest lights you can afford. The rule of thumb is that bigger is better. If the lights are over illuminating then move them a few inches higher. If I could afford three 400w MHs(initial cost, plus the electric bill, and maybe even a chiller) I'd have them.

Over a six foot long 125 AGA you could run 3 250w MHs or even 3 150w HQI/DE bulbs. Usually it's one MH per two square feet of tank space.

Good luck

 

[xrunner123]

Yeh I think I will go with 3x250W. That's what I've been reading.

I found some good reading -
http://www.reefcorner.com/Manual/lighting.htm

This one is interesting- reflectors
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/ ... eature.htm

 

[Anonymous]

I used to have a 6500K 250W Iwasaki supplemented by actinics over a 4 foot tank. I kept the single bulb right in the middle, and I liked that I could keep brain corals, mushrooms, softies on the outside, while my derasa and crocea clam and SPS corals were right in the middle. It seemed a bit silly to have 2X250W bulbs over a 30 gallon tank anyway

They were right about the Iwasakis being cheap: With a MV ballast from www.graybar.com , you can get a full setup--ballast, bulb, socket, homemade reflector, for less than 150. I just so happen to have a brand new bulb in the box, along with a year old ballast already wired, if you're interested.