Lighting Question

[Beckmola24]

I know I remember posting something a long time ago about this, but I don't think there was a final answer. I have 2-250 Watt DE HQI 10,000K bulbs (hopefully the DE Aqualine bulbs) that will be going over my 48inch long 90 gallon tank. My idea is, that if I put a 3rd bulb (6500K) in the middle I would have a good varience in spectrum for my SPS and really high PAR which would allow for great growth and good color. The unit also has 2 T-5 supplemental Actinics. The 3rd bulb would be a 150W or 175W... Good/Bad Idea??? I really appreciate any opinion!

 

[Beckmola24]

Any opinions??

 

[tslawinski]

Hi Becky
You could, but why? Two 250 DE are enough for a 48 in. long tank. Each bulb (with reflector) should cover a 2 ft. square area of your tank. Color balance (to your taste) would be achieved by the T-5's. The extra heat of a third MH could also be a problem. Just my opinion. Hope it helps.

Tom

 

[bradreef]

I was thinking about going the othe way with a 20k to ballance out the 10k's. look at the lets talk about lighting thread.

 

[Scooterman]

Sounds like you would get really good lighting, you can't get enough, get actinic T5's & you will wash the color to a desirable look.

 

[SueT]

Becky, I agree about the heating issue. Since your now where I live Houston gets hotter than heck during the worst part of the summer. If you have a chiller no problems but if you don't you're asking for problems.

Those 2 250w DE HQI's will be more than enough for good color, growth..

 

[jlehigh]

I think the blended light systems look great but at the higher Kelvins. The white to yellow Kelvins, while promoting good growth do not seem to color up SPS as well.

I like to strike a balance with a 14k ish Kelvin.

 

[Scooterman]

Lower K's like in a 65k lamp would be very yellow, 20k would be very blue. http://www.cnidarianreef.com/lamps.cfm take a look at these pictures in this test. You will get a higher PAR on the lower K's but who likes yellow water. It takes some experimenting when mixing that is for sure. with this much lighting you will eventually find the perfect match-up. So far the higher K lamps have no other proven affects on coral growth but the color mixed with some whiter lamps makes great viewing pleasure. So you do this mixing to meet the needs of both your corals & yourself personally. Ok, on another note, this much lighting will require cooling, either lots of fans or chiller I agree on that. I find that on regular mh lamps, putting a fan directly in front of the lamp blows the heat away before it moves lower into the water. so instead of having fans just blowing in and out of your hood you also have a fan directly on the heat source blowing across it, not sure how you would do that on a DE enclosed lamp but I would think it would also help some.

 

[Beckmola24]

I am planning on getting a chiller before getting livestock. I've done some "question asking" and have been told by several people that the DE bulbs are very different from moguls. XM De bulbs dont' have near as good of par as their mogul cousins. Aqualine Buschke DE's actually burn close to the 13K spectrum which would provide me with a nice amount of blue. Plus I have 2 48" T-5 actinic bulbs to keep my tank lookin' blue The ONLY reason for the middle light would be for growth purposes, because when I'm done setting up the tank all I'll be able to afford will be tiny frags lol

I have one more question. With DE bulbs the manufacturers reccomend using a UV shielded glass. My glass for the unit I have got "lost" during the move and I found a place that I can get a glass from, but could I use acrylic or would there be issues with heat there??? I just want what's best for my future tank inhabitants. Thanks!!

 

[Scooterman]

you would melt the acrylic in a few seconds lol, somehow I'm sure you can find the replacement uv glass, I know they must have them.
Yea, as far as you've gone I bet you spent a tons of cash but I admire you for taking the time to get your information & doing it right the first time, in that aspect your probably saving you lots of cash.