Lighting needed for 260g in-wall tank

[Ne0eN]

My girlfriend's 260 FO in-wall project has been slowly evolving into a growing reef. Last night we've added 50 lbs of LR, and in the next 2 weeks we're gonna add another 100 lbs for a total of about 200 lbs of live rock. Since Howard's PAR meter light measurements 2 months ago, we've decided to look at ligting options so that we can support a variety of soft and possibly even hard corals. Currently we have a 72" Coralife fixture that has 4 PC elements (combination of actinic/10k/moon lights). This light is insufficient at 30" depth. What are some of your suggestions? There is planty of space over the tank - inside the wall, behind 4 cabinets. I'm thinking 2 MH pendants (250W a piece) and 4 T5 36" actinic strips. Any ideas and recommendations on this size a tank are appreciated.

 

Thanks,

-Rob

[HowardofNOVA]

Bob,

With the depth of this tank, 400w for SPS would be better, but 250w will work!

 

Pam and Bob 260g tank:

 

Happy Clown:

[Ne0eN]

Thanks Howard for the pics. I was gonna ask you if you still have them. So you're thinking 2x 400W pendants? Hmm... any ideas for the source?

 

-Rob

 

PS. Since the pic was taken, the BTA has split and slowly started to bleach - apparently not enough light...

[HowardofNOVA]

Bob,

Splitting I though was a good thing?

Give it a piece of fish/shrimp and some time.

 

What is your dimensions of the tank? I was thinking it was 3' high? If lower, can't go wrong with the 250's! Nick "Stonecold" has one of the best tanks I've seen and is using 175w for his 224g tank!

Howard

[ErikS]

Two might leave a bit of "low" light areas - good for softies & such. I'd opt for 250 DE, given the right reflector they can produce near 400w light levels. Should work well for the intended purpose - high light near the top & lower light at the bottom.

[Caribbean Jake]

Howard, nice pictures.. help me take some nice pics like that from my tank.

[Ne0eN]

Howard,

 

I've made some tank measurements. The water surface to bottom distance is 27". There is 24" of vertical room between the acrylic top and the top beam inside the cabinet over the tank. At this point I'm looking at a permanently installed either 175W or 250W MH (2) with spider reflectors. I'm also looking at the Blue Wave II dual ballast. Any comments? Also, what sort of bulb should I get? 10,000k or 20,000k?

 

Thanks...

 

-Rob

[Guest RastaMan]

The tank is six foot long. I think you will need 3 MH's since they each cover approx a space of 2x2.

 

Rick

[Ne0eN]

Rick,

 

Problem is, there is a 2x4 wooden brace on the top of the tank - dead smack in the middle of the span. Not sure of it's part of the structure, but removing it would not be easy. I may try to take a pic. Hence I'm thinking of adding T5 lights around.

 

-Rob