40 Gallon Stretch Hex - Lighting Question

[ryddo]

I have a quick question.

I have a 40 gallon stretch hex (dimensions 30.5x18.5x21.5) with approximately 90lbs of LR 2.5in. sand bed, protein skimmer, wet dry, and the normal stuff..... now my real problem is lighting. I have a lighting fixture which I just purchased 150W HQI with 2x65W PC's equaling exactly 7watts/gallon. I am little worried because I am not sure if this is enough light for what I want to do. I am interested in various types of corals but my real concern is that I would really like to have some clams. Do you think this will be a problem or am I worrying to much? PLEASE help!

[ryddo]

Is there anyone that can help me with this as I would like to solve the problem this weekend if there is one to solve!! Thanks in advance.

[Reefland]

Hi ryddo,

That should be plenty of light for a clam. If the MH doesn't like the entire length of the tank just make sure to place your clams directly under the halide lighting.

[charlie]

I wouldn't worry to much about watts per gallon, like Scott said, just make sure the guys get plenty of lite. You want to worry more about the penetration of the lite.

[ryddo]

So a 150w HQI 6" above the waterline is enough penetration for a 21.5" high tank, total hieght of 27" including the distance between tank and light. I just want to do this right. Thanks for all the reinsurance!

[charlie]

Being honest here, you are probably gonna need at least a 250w MH to get some lite penetration that deep, 400w would be better. How long has your tank been set up?
You may also want to get rid of the wet dry, your live rock will take care of your filtration for you!

[ryddo]

When I said "wetdry" I should of actually said sump, I am using an older wetdry as a sump. The tank has been setup around 1.5 years now. Right now I have a couple mushrooms and a frag of some green polyp stars. Do you think 400w is a little overkill for a 40 gallon tank? Won't that raise the temperature too much? I was thinking I would need the 250w but never really considered the 400w, never thought I would need it. Thanks again!

[charlie]

I think a 250w would be alright. The 400w would probably need a bunch of fans, the 250w may also. those are easy tho. If all you are going to have is softies, and plan to add clams, the 250 is the way to go.

[ryddo]

Thanks for all the information!! This really helped a lot. I may go with the 400w so I am not limited to ceretain items! Thanks again!

[Ninong]

I have a 40 gallon stretch hex (dimensions 30.5x18.5x21.5)... I have a lighting fixture which I just purchased 150W HQI with 2x65W PC's.

I think that's an excellent choice for your 40-gal tank. You can certainly keep SPS if you place them near the top of the rock structure and near the middle of the tank. Same goes for clams. You may want to avoid T. crocea but T. maxima will do just fine under that lighting provided you place them on the rock structure near the top and close to the middle of the tank. Chances are pretty good that you could probably keep Croceas, too, but they do better under 250w halides. If I were you, I would stick with Maximas. Your tank really isn't large enough for Derasa or Squamosa.

I think you should position your light fixture at least 8" or 9" above the water's surface, otherwise you won't get much spread over your tank.

[Ninong]

Check out this 167-gal aquarium that was featured as Reef Central's Tank of the Month for February 2005.


Tank dimensions: 51" x 27.5" x 27.5" (167 gallons)

Lighting
Light is provided by an Aquaspacelight with two 150-watt HQI bulbs and two 24-watt power compacts. The fixture is about 5"above the water's surface. The HQI bulbs are BLV Hitlites; the power compacts are typical blue bulbs from Osram.

[ryddo]

Ok, this is my last request. I am going to purchase the new equipment tonight. This is what i have available:

1 250w coralvue ballast and 250w 10k XM DE bulb = $169.90

or

1 400w coralvue ballast and 400w 10k coralvue DE bulb = $234.89

I do not want to spend money on something I do not need, so please give me your advice. I am looking for any and all information.

Again, I have a 40 gallon stretch hex, 31 inches deep. I would like to keep a varity of corals, including sps and clams. Any thoughts will help.

[charlie]

The only reason I am gonna say go with the 400w, is the 31" depth.

[ryddo]

I mistyped when I said 31.5" it is actually only 21.5". Would you still stick with the 400w or go with the 250w?

[charlie]

250w now. They will probably get you anywhere you want to go.

[ryddo]

Great! Thanks for all the information. Sorry for all the confussion.

[charlie]

No problem!!!! Good luck, and do post up some pics when you get things settled.