New tank, Lighting Questions...

[bwhitmore]

I just purchased an all glass 50g "tall" tank complete with stand and canopy for the entry of my home. The tank measures 36x15x21, the stand and canopy are very nice black coated wood with hidden hardware. I really fell in love with the tank since I want everything to be a real clean install.

It's been about 10 years since I have been into the hobby, and a lot of things have changed sine then, namely lighting. Here is what I have to work with... I plan to retrofit a lighting system to the underside of the canopy ceiling. The canopy is roughly 6" tall inside, is completely open in back and the top tilts open. The space I have to work with is 36wx12d. The tank itself has a cross brace in the center, but it is glass like the tank, not plastic like others I have seen.

I would love to mount an HQI and PC system but am worried about heat. My home is conditioned and rarely gets above 78 degrees in the summer. I would like not to have to install a chiller nor any fans to start. Other options include T5 or VHO. Is it possible to go with maybe only one center mounted 150w HQI or maybe (2) 150w HQI's to each side with either 65w or 96w PC actinics? I could also fit a 4x95w VHO, 8x39w T5 or 4x96w PC in the same space. I don't know how much I plan to go into the SPS corals, but I hate to leave myslef hanging if this interests me down the road. I also really like the shimmer of MH bulbs, but have seen some nice T5 tanks too.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[ChrisRD]

Hi and :welcome:

With a canopy height of 6" I think that rules out halides as most people run them at least 6" off the water (which, in your case, leaves no room for the fixtures).

If constructing a new canopy (or modifying the existing one) is not an option going with fluorescents would be the easiest solution IMO. Personally, if I had to stick to fluorescents I would probably use VHOs for a tank that will house mostly medium to low light animals and T-5s where it will be predominantly medium to higher light animals.

That said I prefer halides. :wink:

JMO...

 

[cindre2000]

I agree with Chris. Unless you get a taller canopy, the 150 DE metal halides will not really work, especially if you do not want a fan or two. I think T5's are your best option for cool lights that are pretty strong.

Now, having said that. I would really suggest getting a taller canopy (really easy to build), and installing two 150 DE metal halides with the PC's, since I too like metal halides.

Only thing is you will need fans. You can easily get some computer fans and install them in the hood. You can get some that run really quiet.

 

[Amphiprionocellaris]

I would normally go for VHOs, but the "tall" dimensions of your tank make me also go for T-5s in this case. I have 440 W VHO over my 75 (same height: 21") with excellent results with all corals and clams, but you might have a hard time squeezing in that much wattage in the smaller hood.

And you certainly can't argue with the stunning T-5 setups that are out there...

 

[bwhitmore]

I think you are all correct, the MH's are great but for my budget and my tank size a T5 system would be real cool, literally. The set up I am looking at is a 8x39w so I would be putting out 312w total.

 

[ChrisRD]

Ultimately it depends on what you want to keep. For a mixed reef with some softies, etc. a 4 or 6 lamp system with good reflectors should be plenty of light and 8 is probably overkill. Also, be sure to verify the width of your tank and the width of those setups carefully before you buy - not sure an 8-lamp setup will fit over a 15" wide tank...

HTH

 

[cjsrch]

iv kept stuff that people said i couldnt keepunder vho in my old 55 (bta anenome rose)

i did it under 2 lights (110 watts each) so go vho or T5 HO
plus if you use ice cap you can not beat there customer service

 

[Rick357]

I have a 65 gallon (36"x18"x 24") that I am currently running, it has about the same hood as you describe (mine is about 6" tall at the waterline)

I am currently Running:

2x 96watt PC Actinics

1x 400watt Iwasaki Mogul base Metal Halide

cooled by one fan that blows directly on the bulb and tank

:twisted:

the tank temperature never gets above 80, and I lose about 1 gallon of water due to evaporation a day.

Of course compared to most people here I am a little sick in the head, and non traditional. But that is what makes this such a wonderful hobby.
If I get around to it, I will post some pics of my setup tommorow.
:wink: