need lighting advise

[pdfb55]

I'm new to saltwater aquariums but I have been keeping freshwater aquariums for about two years. I have a ten gallon tank that has ranged from housing guppies to being a hospital tank over the past two years and right now it is empty. I also have a 55g that my dad bought about 5 years ago but I took it over about 2 1/2- 3 years ago. My newest tank, which i am going to convert to a reef tank, is a 92g corner. I have been doing some research on what I need to do to make it saltwater (been looking on the internet and bought a book). I have a sump already and I am planning on building a protein skimmer out of acrylic and building a hood to house the lighting. My only questions left are about lighting. I think I'm going to go with metal halides since one day i plan on keeping sps corals, but I'm going to start off slow with just some live rock and maybe corals if I see some for a good deal. My question is for a 92g corner (each "corner" side is 34" long and the tank is 26"tall, and the curved front is ~4' across.) how many mh's do I need, how many watts should the bulb(s) be, what temperture lighting (5000, 6500, 10000, 20000) do i need, and do i need to suppliment it with actinic lighting?
Thanks

[The Grim Reefer]

A couple of 250 watt halides should do the trick. Maybe someone else has done them over a corner tank like that and can offer tips on placement.

As far as color goes it is a subjective thing but you want to stay between 10 and "20K" lamps. By the way, which book do you have?

[pdfb55]

thanks for the help

the book is called The Complete Book Of The Marine Aquarium by Vincent B. Hargreaves.

[SKRIZ]

2 x 250w would do the trick. I like the look of 10k, and with the right bulb, you don't need supplementing. (xm 10k look good and have high par).

I'm a big fan of icecap (small, cool, less power). This setup would be easy:

http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/cat...b7e6ccdc74bfb8

[charlie]

Those corner tanks can be a real hassle to light correctly. I had a 54 corner that I had a single pfo pendant on. I think you might be able to get away with a single pendant or reflector depending on what you are wanting to keep.

[pdfb55]

thanks for the help.

also how should they be positioned? One in the back and one in the front or side by side?

[DapperDan]

I recommend Icecap also, one of the best companies in the aquarium hobbies.

DD

[JR719]

I also recommend the icecap ballasts. I have 2 XM 10K's and they just look too yellow for me. I don't know if the color has shifted or what. I have 2 URI super actinic R's for the "blue". It helps to balance it a little, but still not what I like. You should look at other tanks with various lights to find what you like. I will tell you that a MH is mainly recommended in a 2' X 2' area. So figure your tank dimensions. For the price difference, the 250 is really the better deal. Just be sure to get an electronic ballast. Less heat, more efficient and can run a variety of bulbs. You won't be dissapointed with that, would you? And if you buy icecaps, their customer service is second to none... bar none. I ran Ushio's prior to XM's and that is what I will go back to after the XM's are done. They just look "whiter" to me. Good luck on your choice and try to check out peoples tanks with different bulbs, better than pictures.

JR

[pdfb55]

i think i will do that the two 250s. I went to my lfs today and they had show tank with metal halides on it. I know they were 175w but i forgot the color of the bulbs but they were very blue and looked sweet. Where is good place to buy icecaps online since the like 10 lfss by my are a little overpriced