Hood Configuration

[Dhayden]

I know this is a double post but I need some quick opinions. Its under SPS as well.

OK here is my delmela. I have a 45 gal sps / mixed reef.
36"(L)x15"(w)x20"(h) . my 150w mh just went bad, ballast, and probably ruined my bulb as well. So the tank is lit but a little dim as I hope the stuff lives the 5 days it will take for the new stuff to get here. So I figured I would upgrade to a 250w SE, and use a luminarc mini; a little big for this tank, but will big good down the line for upgrade...

So I have:
1- 250w se Reeflux 12k
2 - Compact Fl. 65w actinic
2 - 28w Compact Fl, poss. actinic, right now they are daylight 50/50

I have a hood that is 30 x 15, the mini luminarc is big! 14.5 x 14.5
this is the best configuration I can figure.

Unfortunately I loose about 60% of my main actinics. I cant figure out any other config.
This would give me 250w of 12k and 104w of actinics at best.
What do you think? Enough? Better way to get my actinic in there? I do like the actinic look in the morning and evening.

Also this would put the bottom of the luminarc 5.5" above the water. I am not sure how high the bulb is in there but its a little close. I would imagine I really need some glass to shield eny spray, although I dont have an issue with that now.

Thanks for looking.

 

[91YOTA]

i just hung a lumenarc mini over my 40B which is 36x18 and im running an XM10K... i cant see fitting actinics very easliy in any configuration that doesnt block the halide and cause shadows... good luck with it and post pics of how you set it up when you build it

 

[Dhayden]

Yea, I figured I would block the actinics with the luminarc. I dont think I would get any shadow from the actinics. Not sure if 100 watts of atinic is worth worrying about.

 

[trido]

I would put the actinics below the MH. If they're out on the edges you wont get any shadows. I tend to doubt that you will lose much of the light from the MH. Either way with a 250 SE 12k Reeflux it should be plenty blue. I dont have em but Ive seen em. Im sure you will be happy either way you go. If you cant go below the MH I likely wouldnt use them at all.