220 gallon lighting?!

[nyfynest22]

tank is 72x30x2 hey everyone my ? is should i go with 400mh or 250? i was thinking 400 because since the mh has to be about 14 inches from the bulb to the water plus the 30 inches high on the tank your talking about 44 inches to the bottom of tank, i just feel that getting 400 mh 12k at 3x times would do it, and get a coralvue ballast where if it was to much i can dim it down what do you guys think??

 

[jackson6745]

What do you plant to keep in this reef? Why does the MH have to be 14" from the water? Is that the heigh it will be mounted in the canopy or something?

 

[JARRETT SHARK]

+1 on 400w- alot of people do that on 220gal
see my tank thread for a idea's

 

[nyfynest22]

i said 14 inches thats what i have heard, they will be mounted in a custom canopy, whats everyone else doing how far above the water do you guys mount your pendants? from the bulb to the water.

 

[Reeftanker3295]

I say 8" from the water would be a good distance. Go with 400w's if the tank is 30 inches high, youll be able to keep anything.

 

[nyfynest22]

thanks everyone, i was leaning towards 400mh but dont you think that 8 inches from water is just way to much? you dont think i should go up more?

 

[jrobbins]

i run 250's and my tank is 30 deep. no real problems as far as i can tell...just plan out your placement of corals and you will be fine.

 

[shaunsreef]

i say candles ,, and it will be cheaper to run,,JUST becarful of the wax drippings in the tank >>>>>>LOL

 

[nyfynest22]

thanks shaun for the helpful tip. this was a honest ? just not a honest answer on your end, next time just say you dont know. thanks to everyone else who has really helped me out, thanks jarret for the thread. anyone else?

 

[qy7400]

The height will depend on the reflectors you use, standard spider reflectors will be fine at 8" but jumping to Lumenarc/Lumenbright you'll want them 14" to 16" off the water. The bulb wattage will depend on your livestock choices on the bottom, zoas/softies/LPS and 250s are fine; clams or SPS and you'll want 400s. With either choice just remember to keep the canopy well vented so the temps don't jump during the summer months.

 

[nyfynest22]

Thanks Joe. I'll be using those coralvue spider reflectors that's why I said about the 14inches from the water also don't want to be limited to what I keep so I guess 400s with a dimmable ballast to acclimate the light for corals

 

[isgon26]

I have 250 mh and they are 8 inches from the water. I have a 150 which is 27" high. Just keep the sps to the top and you'll be fine. I have a ton of sps's and they are doing great. But if your not worried about the light bill go right ahead and do the 400's.

 

[nyfynest22]

Thinking of going 250s not in the mood to run a chiller this will be my only lighting don't want to get into the whole chiller crap I don't need to run retros also do I?


Sent from my iPhone using Reefs

 

[Wes]

250s will be fine just dont plan on keeping SPS and clams on the bottom. Chiller will depend on the temp of the room the tank is in.

 

[shaunsreef]

thanks shaun for the helpful tip. this was a honest ? just not a honest answer on your end, next time just say you dont know. thanks to everyone else who has really helped me out, thanks jarret for the thread. anyone else?

But i do know !!! But u dont listen to what i tell u...and u keep asking thousands of people, and u will get thousands of different answers....Listen to the ones u trust,,AND its not all about how much money it is..Sometimes big money means u spent it for nothing..IMO

Thanks Shauns DAD
Im teaching him :shhh:

 

[nyfynest22]

Thanks shauns dad lol... To much!

 

[JARRETT SHARK]

I posted a thread On Rc and more people told me to stay with 400w then 250w when going 220gal, Do a search on 220gal and not many people have 250w
I think if you buy ballist that dim you should be fine then wanting to buy 400w later on.
Good luck

Also fans reduced temps 2-3deg

 

[nyfynest22]

thanks jarret i agree 400w but i really dont want to run a chiller this would suck.

 

[JARRETT SHARK]

If you go that big I would always have a chiller for back up anyway? Alot of coral you dont want to crash due to heat.
Do you have Ac's in the room?
You would be suprised what just fans could do to drop temp?
My tank is 6inch off water and I never have chiller go on but then again I have not run my tank yet in the summer.
I just did alot of research before I went to 400w and I just say to many tall tanks with 400w. I hate to see you spend money on 250w and in 3 months want 400w.
Go to Rc and there is someone selling 3-400w ballist,reflectors and bulbs for a good price.