Lighting Options for a 240 Gal Reef

[reefnut1]

Hi everyone I'm thinking about buying either a 240 gal tank or a 300 gal tank. If I do go with the 240. 96LX24WX24T I'm thinking I'll need to light it with 4 250watt MH and 4 160 VHO actinics. I already have 6 175 watt MH pendants. So I'll only need to purchase the VHO system. Whats your thoughts which would be best? Thanks for any replys

 

[rotorh60]

reefnut,
I saw that no one gave you an answer, so I will give it a try. Not knowing what you are going to grow, sps, lps, softies, etc, here is what I would do, and this is actually the setup that I currently have on my 225.
4 VHO's, on two 660 Ice Caps. 3 03's and one Actinic white. (or 50/50 if you choose)
3 400 watt Metal Halids. There is alot of debate over what bulbs to burn, but I ran 10k's for a year. I mixed it up a bit when I done the bulb replacement. 2 12's and a 65k. I like the look, plus I also like the color that is starting to really come out in my acros. (more floresent green, and one metallic green acro is getting purple on its tips!) Been running these new bulbs for 3 months now.
I don't think the 250 watt MH will have enough punch for you. Again, I don't know your intentions, or dimensions of the tank to make a fair assesment. HTH

[ January 31, 2002: Message edited by: rotorh60 ]</p>

 

[henkelsfamily1]

Hey there,

I am in the planning/equipment procurment stages of a 230 and this is what I am doing:

3 400W 65K Swakis
2 250W 10K HQI
4 110W O3 run on a IC660

This is what the setup will look like
---------------------------------------
-----03-------------------03-----------
400w 250w 400w 250w 400w
---------------------------------------
-----03-------------------03-----------

It may be a bit overkill but the way that I figure it is that the sun is much brighter and I have the equipmet so why not use it.

Walter

 

[Mouse]

I was going to get this for my system, the size is very close. Its 6' x 25" x 25".

3 x 250w double ended 10k Aqualine HQI's & 2 Actinic's to run the length of the unit.

And i was going to float the whole caboodle allong with 2 x 25w LED night lights in one of these.

I have spoken to Paul the rep over here and he thinks they can squeeze it all into one unit, yay.

Id be a little concerned as to weather the 175's would be up to the depth. But if you only want SPS allong the top it might suffice.

[ January 31, 2002: Message edited by: Mouse ]</p>