10k PC/ 03 actinic PC/ 6.5k MH COMBO???

[Graf-X]

Hello All,
I was wondering if anyone had any input on combining my current setup of 3 96W PC's with one 6500k/250w MH positioned centrally in the tank. Let me first give you my reasoning for going with the PC's in the first place--I have a 72g bowfront tank with the oceanic PVC (plastic) canopy that sits about 6 inches from the water...So heat was my main concern (6in from water and melting plastic!!!) But---The 2 x 96 w 10k PC retro kit I ordered from reeffanatic has a MH mount in the middle and that only makes me wonder if I could mount a 250 (6.5k) watter in the middle, keep one 10k PC and supplement with another 03 and the existing 03(lampsnow) (I think this spectral combo would look pretty nice!!, but I've never heard of combining a 10k PC with a MH. I have recently purchased a small maxima clam and a acroporia Ch. frag, and I think I really need as much light as possible. Any suggestions, or would the MH boil my tank at 5-6in, and melt my plastic canopy. I've read that scubbadude has his MH 4in above his waterline. Thanks for the info.....

[Bamm Bamm]

I did one 10,000k with one actinoc 03 p.c. both 96watter to supplement my 2x250 iwasaki's...I like it better with 2xactinco2's...Sounds liek it would work..Only thing is I have a 46gallon bow I used to use as a ref and I was just looking at it mine has a plasticcenter brace if you hav a plastic of even glass center brace i would not mount a mh above it you will melt a plastic center brace and if theres a glass one you'll probablt lose at least half the intensity..10k with a iwasaki looks ok but IMO is unnesaccary my iwasaki's are a brilliant white..you gotta make suire to get the DL bulbs..Dan

[naser]

i think still using the 10000k pc would make the white look crisper.. ive seen tanks with the 10000k pc with there mh and i thought it looked great. i personaly like 10000k 400w with two pc atinics. looks nice. i also have the center brace problem. im working on two 175watt mh on both side instead of one 400 in the middle. maybe i should work on 2 250watters?

[Graf-X]

My tank does in fact have a plastic center brace…Has anyone ever “hacked” this brace off? ?? ----What kind of canopy do you have for your 46 Bow-front??

[Ninong]

Originally posted by Graf-X:

My tank does in fact have a plastic center brace…Has anyone ever “hacked” this brace off?

You can't do that because your tank would eventually fail. For a 4-ft long tank with a center brace, you pretty much have to go with two metal halides if you choose to use metal halides.

Ninong [img]/ubb/smile.gif[/img]

P.S. - Moved to Lighting forum.



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Irrational Exuberance!