What lighting would you recommend?

[Mike&Pam]

We have a 90-gallon reef tank with 2x96 watt PC's on it. We are discovering that this is not enough. Who out there agrees with that? We are considering adding some metal halides to our set-up, how many should we add and what wattage? We are interested in having all coral types (sps, softies, etc.) where they will not only survive, but grow as well. Thank you for all your input.

Mike and Pam

 

[newreefman1]

1 or 2 250 HQI bulbs. The bulbs light is superior to mogul base bulbs and the color of the 10 or 12k is beautiful. They are still a bit new and are pricy but they are well worth the money IMO.

I have one on my nano and I have had it with a dif bulb on my 60 gallon. The light HQI gives out is SO BRIGHT!

Hope my advice helps some.

http://members.home.net/jasonco6

Theres pic of my HQI pendant here. Of course there are retro fit options available.

 

[Mike&Pam]

If we were to add the MH to our tank, would we need a chiller? We originally got the PC because the guy at the LFS told us that anything else would heat the tank too much and we'd have to get a chiller. We are not going to let that stop us anymore, but would it be necessary? After doing a search on this site, it seems that nobody really touches on this issue. Everyone seems to have cooling fans, but no mention of chillers. Thanks again for all the help!

Mike and Pam

 

[toptank]

You will get all sorts of different thought regarding lights.

When I had my 90 going, I had 2 x 250 Mh with PC for suppliments. Then when I got my 180, same depth as 90 I went with 3 x 400 MH and I found them to get much hotter than the 250s. Even with 4X4" fans in the canopy (10") and a fan over the sump to help cooling. IMO and IME I would not run 400s unless you have a chiller. It take just one day to have a heat spike and look out. I lost 90% of my nice SPSs due to RTN which I figured was triggered by the heat. Now I am back to 3 x 250 in my 180.

Like newreefman said those HQI are new and are still pricy but very nice. I went with PFO and have been very happy with them.

Good luck with you tank.

Barry

 

[Mike&Pam]

Barry,
I took a look at your website and noticed that the canopy on your tank is about twice as deep as mine! I am afraid that the MH will be sitting too close to the surface of the water, do you think that will be a problem? Also, how do we fit the MH in the canopy with the PC, they seem to take up most of the room right now?

Thanks again,
Pam

P.S. Your tanks looks very nice!

 

[newreefman1]

Hey Barry,

Mike and Pam, I belive they suggest 12" above the light. I keep just about that. Theres a thread either here or on aqualink about lowering HQI's lower than 12" and the issue is still out. I have kept mine lower with no ill reprocussions but the heat definately does intensify. If you have a canopy, just put an extra fan in. 2, 3, 4 if ya can fit em. The more the merrier

They are great lights and corals thrive under em. Depending on where you are, you wont need a chiller but some good fans for sure. I keep my tank at 84 deg. more or less with no fan and I live in San Diego. It does nicely at that temp.

Hope this helps some.
Jason

http://members.home.net/jasonco6

 

[Mike&Pam]

We are definitely going to upgrade our lighting on our 90 gal from just the 2x96 pc's to metal halides. Should we get 2x250's or is 2x175watts enough along with the 2x96 pc's actinic? Also, we have a closed canopy that isn't very tall. Is heat going to be a problem? We run 2 fans when the pc's are on and the temperature is a constant 79 degrees. Maybe if we add two more fans we won't need a chiller?

 

[newreefman1]

Yes. Fans definately help in the task of not trying to buy a chiller

When going with lighting I always say if there is a decision to go higher with no budget worries, go higher. This I would say in your case only goes if you can get 2 more fans in. If you can have all those fans, get the 250s but if not, get the 150s. I dont think they make a 175 HQI.

Jason.

 

[toptank]

Like I mentioned above, when I had my 90 reef going I ran 2 x 250 w/ PC suppliments. My canopy is opened back w/ 4 x 4" fans and my temp never got over 80. But remember I am in San Diego and it don't get real hot here.

Go to my site and look at the 90 gal

 

[Mike&Pam]

Ok. So, I think we are eventually going to upgrade to the 2x250 mh's instead of the 2x175's. Are the icecap superquiet fans any good? The radioshack fans I have now are kind of loud. I'm am very concerned about the heat because our canopy is only 6" off the water. It was also recommended that we get 2 2x250watt PFO mini HQI pendants. What is better between this and the dual hqi pfo ballasts?

 

[wildbill]

I would get some m.h's, I run 2 400w 6500k, 2 55w daylight power compacts, 1 110w aquasun, 1 110w superactinic. I have a 120 gal tank, I also use a chiller. Years ago when I bought my first mh unit it was 175w mh's and I was still forced to buy a chiller. Also my mh's assemble is 6" from water surface, which my bulbs about 8" from the surface.

Bill

 

[Mike&Pam]

Which do you recommend, 2 single ballasts or 1 dual ballast? or is there a difference?

 

[toptank]

I just bought some PFO from Marine Depot, the single ballast was 90.00 and the dual was 143.00 so in your case it would be cheaper to buy the dual rather than 2 single.

You might consider putting a fan over your sump if you have one.

 

[toptank]

I just took a look and my canopy is 10" high but the bulbs hang about 2" below the top so I am guessing the lights are about 8" from the water surface. Durning the day with 3 x 250s and 2 x 140watt VHOs my tank it at 81, in the summer it might go up to 84.

Barry

Hi Jason