Help! I need lighting opinions!

[Guest Bethesda_Jim]

Hi Folks,

 

I've got everything ready to go on my very first 75 gallon, 48 x 18 x 20 tank. But I just can't stop looking at lights. Lights lights lights. There are so many. I am interested in, at some point, raising soft and stony but I just can't figure out what is best. I like the Current USA Orbit 230 watt and I especially like the price. But, I hear so much about MH that I also like the Current USA Sunpod HQI 300 watts for about double the cost of the orbit.

 

Any thoughts? Will I get the 230 watt only to want the 300 MH later? Will I get the MH only to discover it will fry my corals?

 

Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

Jim

Edited November 1, 2006 by Bethesda_Jim

[gastone]

Jim,

 

there is more information out there than you could imagine. Just don't make any rash decisions. I've been through multiple lighting schemes on my tanks and I regret not doing significant research and making one informed, final choice. Check out RC and look around for 75 gallon build threads... I'm sure there must be quite a few. Find out what people there are using, what they are happy with, what they would change.

 

You say you want to keep SPS eventually. That is a good start. I would recommend either MH or T5 in that case. PCs and VHOs will give you limited success with SPS, IMO. If T5s are your thing check with Grim on RC. He is the T5 guru. As far as MHs go the options are almost limitless. If you are a DIYer you can choose almost any setup/configuration that you'd like. Pick which bulb you want, choose a relfector, choose a ballast that works with that bulb (magnetic/electronic/HQI). If you do go MH, stick with 250s. They will allow more flexibility and greater performance than 150s. If you go T5s, make sure you get the individual reflectors. I believe they put out something like 50% more par than the single unit reflector.

 

If on the other hand you want a pendant, they are certainly out there. They can be pricey though and don't transfer as easily if you decide to upgrade down the road. (It is much easier to rip apart a retro kit to re-use than to rip apart a pendant/fixture).

 

Good luck Jim and let us know what you decide to go with.

 

Garrett.

[danskim]

Any thoughts? Will I get the 230 watt only to want the 300 MH later? Will I get the MH only to discover it will fry my corals?

 

Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

Jim

 

YES, you will want the MH.

MH is good if your tank can take the heat (or you get/have a chiller).

I switched from MH to T5 because I didn't have a chiller... then I bought one, but I'm still satisfied with the T5s.

I think most or at least many people will agree MH and T5s are the best way to keep a stony reef.

[Guest tgallo]

I agree, 250 watt metal halides plus t5 is a great choice for your setup.

[Sugar Magnolia]

48" long tank would need two MH's since the spread is 24" per bulb. Otherwise, if you center one bulb, you'll have dim areas on each side of the tank.

[SDBDRZ]

You cant go wrong with MH or T-5's in my opinion. However if you do go with 2 halides over a 75 you need to make sure you can address the heat issues. If you go with T-5's read some of Grim's threads on RC, reflectors and bulbs make all the difference in a T-5 setup.

 

Lighting is but one component to a successful tank.

[davjbeas]

Hello, I have a 75 gallon reef that has been up for a year. I planned the tank equipment and setup before actually putting it up and running. I wanted to have an open top for the best oxygen exchange. so i decided on something i could suspend from the cieling. I chose the aquamedic dual 250watt metal halides with dual

T5 actinics. because of the way the ballast is wired i have one power cord for the halides and one for the actinics. I was able to use 2 timers. the actinics come on at 12:30, the halides at 1:00. the halides go off at 11:00. and the actnics turn off at 11:30. This sort of brings a dawn/dusk effect. I did have to add a chiller to the system because the temperature swung as high as 85 deggrees. I have no temp swings with the chiller in place. heres a pic of my tank

 

product link.

 

http://www.customaquatic.com/customaquatic...h&offset=15

 

If you want to see the setup you are welcome to come by.

 

David B.

[Guest Bethesda_Jim]

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions! Talk about choice and variety. I finally settled on a T5 Nova Extreme. Keep your fingers crossed.

 

Thanks,

 

Bethesda_Jim

 

 

 

 

Hello, I have a 75 gallon reef that has been up for a year. I planned the tank equipment and setup before actually putting it up and running. I wanted to have an open top for the best oxygen exchange. so i decided on something i could suspend from the cieling. I chose the aquamedic dual 250watt metal halides with dual

T5 actinics. because of the way the ballast is wired i have one power cord for the halides and one for the actinics. I was able to use 2 timers. the actinics come on at 12:30, the halides at 1:00. the halides go off at 11:00. and the actnics turn off at 11:30. This sort of brings a dawn/dusk effect. I did have to add a chiller to the system because the temperature swung as high as 85 deggrees. I have no temp swings with the chiller in place. heres a pic of my tank

 

product link.

 

http://www.customaquatic.com/customaquatic...h&offset=15

 

If you want to see the setup you are welcome to come by.

 

David B.