Need some help with lighting

[ohthelies]

I am currently setting up a 30 gallon tank (20.5 x 18.5 x 21.5). Looks like this. I was looking to get this hood, but I want to make sure it'll be sufficient lighting for starting up a reef tank. Thanks a bunch, Nick.

 

[tangir1]

96W over your 30 gal? Maybe OK if you want it for softies and some LPS...

 

[ohthelies]

So you'd suggest something with more ... oomph? The problem is that it's a deep tank with a limiting width, as far as lighting is concerned, so I'm considering a MH pendant like this one. Or should I save up the extra 90 bucks and go for the 250W? I just don't like the idea of lighting my entire house with these pendants. There's also this pendant that I was half considering, but the price seems astronomical to me.

 

[hillbilly]

MH is your best option unless you want a softies tank.

 

[ohthelies]

Are there any MH hoods I can buy that don't need to be hung from the ceiling, or is this going to be a DIY project?

 

[fishfanatic2]

There are , but they require lots of greenbacks.

I looed it up, and a 36" halide/actinic retrofit with bulbs was 280.00

Expect 300-400 for a 36" hood. 8O

 

[Anonymous]

Try getting it custom built for you; Ive suggested www.exoticfish.com in the past, since I have a 29 gallon and I want better lights thatn just my 130-Watts PC... I got a quote for about 300 & 1/2 or so for a single MH with two PCs. Thats the best, in my opinion; either MH + PC or MH + VHO.
Otherwise, yeah, itll be a DIY project to get the "perfect lighting setup"; I would suggest looking at www.marinedepot.com , under lighting>metal halide lighting>deluxe fixtures, retrofits, & pendants. Theres some really cool retrofit kits for decent prices that have VHO or PC for your secondary lighting, or you could just go regular fluorescents that are 50/50 Actinic/daylight or whatever. I would say DIY is best for your tank dimensions; dont settle for what is made for your tank!
Have fun and stay cool! 8)

 

[hillbilly]

I really like 250w HQI double ended MH pendants. You can hang them at any height you want, heat is not a big deal as they are not so close to your tank,and you don't have a big oversize canopy on top of your tank, ugly IMO no matter how well built. 250w HQI are so intense that anything will grow under them, and with a 10k or 20k bulb, actinic secondary lighting is not really needed. My 2 cents.

 

[ohthelies]

Thank a bunch for all the help.