OK, several questions for this new fish only I will be starting as soon as I get the stand/canopy from Chris at Crowsridge.
I have lighting questions in particular. I know, use the least amount possible. The problem is I will want to put certain softies in this tank and I want to work with the lighting I have.
First, tank measurements. It is a corner pentagon measuring 60" across the back two sides with 18" stubs and a 60" viewing panel. The overflow is across the back corner with an area of 18"x18'x24" approximately. So, the distance from the front viewing panel to the corner overflow is approximately 42".
Like I said, I would like to use the equipment I have just sitting on the shelf. I have two ARO 430 watt electronic ballasts, each with a four-bulb harness and VHO endcaps. I also have three 24" four bulb reflectors. I expect to either add or change reflectors, but would like to retain the ballasts/harnesses/end-caps. I also think I could probably modify the harnesses, making them fit the number of bulbs I end up using.
What I was thinking:
Option 1: Use all three 24" reflectors (one parallel to the overflow and the other two parallel to each back side) and add one 3' reflectorparallel to the fron viewing panel. Total watts = 640 using two bulbs in each
Option 2: Use two new reflectors with some combination of bulbs (???) with both reflectors being parallel to the front panel. The front unit would be a 60" reflector and the back would be a 36" reflector. Would have to modify harnesses to be three bulb harnesses as the ballasts only support 430 watts total. Likely wattage = 705 (3 bulb per reflector) or 470 (2 bulb per reflector)
Option 3: Three 36" reflectors, one parallel to eack back side and one parallel to the front panel with a potential for a dim spot in middle of tank. The nice thing about having the units parallel to the back sides is that it puts them directly above the Reef Ceramic panels where most corals would be....
So question 1 would be; which option for layout?
question 2; what bulb combination?
question 3; Can these ballasts just be used to run NO bulbs and should I just go that route and forget the softies?
I welcome your thoughts and suggestions on this dilemma as well as any new options that may come up as a result of some pondering.
Thanks
I have lighting questions in particular. I know, use the least amount possible. The problem is I will want to put certain softies in this tank and I want to work with the lighting I have.
First, tank measurements. It is a corner pentagon measuring 60" across the back two sides with 18" stubs and a 60" viewing panel. The overflow is across the back corner with an area of 18"x18'x24" approximately. So, the distance from the front viewing panel to the corner overflow is approximately 42".
Like I said, I would like to use the equipment I have just sitting on the shelf. I have two ARO 430 watt electronic ballasts, each with a four-bulb harness and VHO endcaps. I also have three 24" four bulb reflectors. I expect to either add or change reflectors, but would like to retain the ballasts/harnesses/end-caps. I also think I could probably modify the harnesses, making them fit the number of bulbs I end up using.
What I was thinking:
Option 1: Use all three 24" reflectors (one parallel to the overflow and the other two parallel to each back side) and add one 3' reflectorparallel to the fron viewing panel. Total watts = 640 using two bulbs in each
Option 2: Use two new reflectors with some combination of bulbs (???) with both reflectors being parallel to the front panel. The front unit would be a 60" reflector and the back would be a 36" reflector. Would have to modify harnesses to be three bulb harnesses as the ballasts only support 430 watts total. Likely wattage = 705 (3 bulb per reflector) or 470 (2 bulb per reflector)
Option 3: Three 36" reflectors, one parallel to eack back side and one parallel to the front panel with a potential for a dim spot in middle of tank. The nice thing about having the units parallel to the back sides is that it puts them directly above the Reef Ceramic panels where most corals would be....
So question 1 would be; which option for layout?
question 2; what bulb combination?
question 3; Can these ballasts just be used to run NO bulbs and should I just go that route and forget the softies?
I welcome your thoughts and suggestions on this dilemma as well as any new options that may come up as a result of some pondering.
Thanks
