Metal halide

[sedrostyle]

Friend of mine wants to use the pendant I just got.

150w icecap with Phoenix 14k supposuvly.

Question is can we put it over a 29 gallon tank and grow sps? Should we rig up the t5 fixture to supplement actinics.

Same question goes for a 20 gallon.
Hang it above the 20 for a sps only tank?

Also how far should it be above the water.

Thanks in advance. Steven

 

[SeaLion]

I use a Phoenix 150 MH 6 inches off the tank, 28 gallons.

It grows sps.

 

[sedrostyle]

Only the halide tho?

 

[mfinn]

I think you'd be fine with the 150 watt mh 8" over the top of a 20. I'd mount it so you could drop it or raise it if needed, but I'd start at 8".
I'd use the T5 actinics as well.

 

[SeaLion]

Yes only MH.

I would love to have a T5/MH fixture but that has not happened yet.

 

[sedrostyle]

Yea we have a duel t5 fixture but it would look funny having the t5 and the halide fixture on it. Maybe a single t5 fixture on tr back?
Sucks having two fixtures.
I think ima talk him into LEDs.

 

[mfinn]

I have always liked using a separate bulb for actinic only.

 

[sedrostyle]

Wouldn't it Block the light from the halide if it was right on the rim of the tank and the halide was 8 inches say?

 

[mfinn]

Not sure how you would do it, but if it was on the back rim of the tank, it wouldn't block the light to the bottom. It might block some light part way down the back wall, but I wouldn't think it would create a shadow.

 

[mfinn]

It's hard to say, until you give it a try.

 

[sedrostyle]

Awesome. Thanks a lot for the help. I'll dig into it one of these days.