Lighting for SPS

[Daniel Murray]

What would be the best lighting for my Reef Tank witch is heayly loaded?
I have 3 175 watt Blueline Super white lamps and Blueline E Ballast and 2 72" URI VHO Super Actinic R.
I would like new M/H.

 

[moortim]

How big is your tank (overall gallons and height)?

 

[Daniel Murray]

How big is your tank (overall gallons and height)?

My Tank is 180 gallons and from the top of the sand bed to the top of the water is 24". My Hood sits 2" off the water.

 

[Scooterman]

I would most probably use 3 250w MH's but that 2" off the water is very close, is that the distance for the lamp off the water?

 

[kevinpo]

Hello,
Lighting is really a matter of personal preference and what corals you plan to keep. I will assume you are going to keep SPS shallow water corals. I would recommend 3 400W halides mounted 9" from the water. I prefer 10,000K Reeflux mogul mount bulbs mounted in PFO reflectors and driven by PFO HQI ballsts. I would also add a couple of VHO 72" actinics. This is just my personal preference.

Regards,
Kevin

 

[Daniel Murray]

I would most probably use 3 250w MH's but that 2" off the water is very close, is that the distance for the lamp off the water?

Yes it is that is one reason I went with 175watt M/H

 

[Daniel Murray]

Hello,
Lighting is really a matter of personal preference and what corals you plan to keep. I will assume you are going to keep SPS shallow water corals. I would recommend 3 400W halides mounted 9" from the water. I prefer 10,000K Reeflux mogul mount bulbs mounted in PFO reflectors and driven by PFO HQI ballsts. I would also add a couple of VHO 72" actinics. This is just my personal preference.

Regards,
Kevin

OK I do have Blueline 175 watt 10,000k super white lamps now and would like something with just a touch more blue but not a lot. I have some SPS, lots of
Mushroom , 4 Soft Coral , lots of Softies , lots of LPS and 5 clams.
I do have two VHO 72" actinics and I have three Blueline E ballast 175 watt each so I would like to stay with my 175 watt set up for now.

 

[Daniel Murray]

I would most probably use 3 250w MH's but that 2" off the water is very close, is that the distance for the lamp off the water?

No that is the distance from the water to the bottom of the hood.
The distance from the lamp to the water is 4.5"

 

[Daniel Murray]

Here is some Photos of my Tank

 

[Daniel Murray]

Here are some more

 

[Daniel Murray]

Lets try this again:badgrin:

 

[kevinpo]

Sorry, I misunderstood your question.

Regards,
Kevin

 

[Daniel Murray]

Sorry, I misunderstood your question.

Regards,
Kevin

Any help would help me get the right lamp.
So what would you put in for new M/H's

 

[SueT]

I'm with Kevin, I love the reeflux bulbs. I just use them in the 250w version. Thats a 10k. My sps which are mostly acropora and some montipora have never looked so great. Growth is fine and coloring is phenomenal.

 

[bradreef]

4.5" is a little close. I wouldn't think it would be safe. I prefer 8-10 inches for proper spread. also I think 250's would be a great idea. 400's might improve some colors but 250's would be good overall.

 

[moortim]

does your canopy limit the height you can put your lights? Is there any way you can get them higher or are you stuck with where they are?

 

[Daniel Murray]

does your canopy limit the height you can put your lights? Is there any way you can get them higher or are you stuck with where they are?

They are stuck where they are. If I put them up then the light will kill you on the sofa when watching TV. Pulse the light was made to sit on the tank by champion lighting.

 

[Daniel Murray]

does your canopy limit the height you can put your lights? Is there any way you can get them higher or are you stuck with where they are?

you can see the light hood

 

[ReefferMan]

i like the 400's, more bang for the buck

Mike

 

[moortim]

I would say if you have the means then crank out some carpentry skills and build a nice canopy for that tank.
Of course if you are like me you would have to buy all the tools first so that would be an expensive endeavor.
Raising the bulbs off the water is the only way I could see using higher wattage lights. Without more room between the bulbs and the water heat will be a huge problem, as will water accidentally hitting those bulbs. You will also get better light spread in your tank.

Tim