Lighting for Hex

dragonladylea · 03-26-2006, 01:04 PM

Have a question, I have a 35 hex and want to add light for caps and digi's. I have a 96W quad retro right now. Here's the dilemma I have chili's and sunpolyps that I don't want to get rid of. Being a Hex of course my rockwork goes straight up and the top is only 8" from the lights - bottom is 20" what is the best bet for lighting to keep both of these types of coral?? The current lighting is suspended and I have a glass top on the tank (I clean it daily).

acer · 03-26-2006, 02:10 PM

I have 440 watt VHO on a 90 gallon and my sun polyps are doing well on the bottom -with a outcropping of rock work that semi shields them from direct light.

***Reefland*** · 03-26-2006, 03:28 PM

I would go with a small halide. A 150w DE or 175 would be good.

**Poseidon** · 03-26-2006, 05:20 PM

I agree with Scott, a 150W DE should be GREAT, especially if you get a 20K.

dragonladylea · 03-26-2006, 06:13 PM

How about adding T-5's to what I already have?

**golfish** · 03-26-2006, 07:36 PM

I'm with the other mods....pop the top off the tank and go with a single MH pendant and forget all that other nonsense lighting

The Grim Reefer · 03-27-2006, 12:24 PM

The T5's are a bad idea in your case. The halide would create more shaded areas in the rocks where you can keep the lower light critters. The T5's pump out more light than the halide and eliminate a lot of the shaded areas you need.

**Poseidon** · 03-27-2006, 12:46 PM

More then even the amount of light, for T5's you would need more space then the top of your tank would provide. Add to that the fact that halide being a "point source" of light, you will get the shadows needed for the low light guys.

**golfish** · 03-29-2006, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Grim Reefer

The T5's pump out more light than the halide

dragonladylea · 04-01-2006, 04:25 PM

Okay now I've been looking at all the MH pendants and Ballast and am more confused than ever. I need something that is cost effective both on parts and electricity. (Lost one job to business closing and just had my overtime cut completely on the other job) That said until I find another ambulance company that is hiring I need inexpensive.

As far as creating shadows I dont think I will have to much trouble with that the aquascape I did created a big cave that houses the chili and sunpolyps.

dragonladylea · 04-01-2006, 07:41 PM

T-5's or MH retro?? Which is going to be most cost effective and which wattage??

dragonladylea · 04-03-2006, 10:53 PM

Just sent paypal for a Hamilton 175mh pendant and ballast. Thanks for all your advise.

**Poseidon** · 04-04-2006, 10:21 AM

YAY! I'll bet you really like it, and if you ordered it from Debbie, I'll bet you have it tomorrow!

dave00gt · 04-04-2006, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dragonladylea

Just sent paypal for a Hamilton 175mh pendant and ballast. Thanks for all your advise.

please post pictures of this setup , as i also have a 42 gallon hex also and was thinking of a metal halide pendant as well.

03-26-2006, 01:04 PM	#1
dragonladylea Citizen Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Millington Mich Posts: 129	Lighting for Hex Have a question, I have a 35 hex and want to add light for caps and digi's. I have a 96W quad retro right now. Here's the dilemma I have chili's and sunpolyps that I don't want to get rid of. Being a Hex of course my rockwork goes straight up and the top is only 8" from the lights - bottom is 20" what is the best bet for lighting to keep both of these types of coral?? The current lighting is suspended and I have a glass top on the tank (I clean it daily). __________________ When I've learned everything - bury me!!

03-26-2006, 03:28 PM	#3
*Reefland* Owner Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Bardstown, KY Posts: 13,176	I would go with a small halide. A 150w DE or 175 would be good. __________________ Scott Z. 75 Gallon Reef Log Powered by Reefland's Personal Online Aquarium Log

03-26-2006, 05:20 PM	#4
Poseidon Moderator Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Swartz Creek, MI Posts: 6,527	I agree with Scott, a 150W DE should be GREAT, especially if you get a 20K. __________________ Need a Photographer? Just say NO to CRABS Mike

03-26-2006, 06:13 PM	#5
dragonladylea Citizen Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Millington Mich Posts: 129	How about adding T-5's to what I already have? __________________ When I've learned everything - bury me!!

03-27-2006, 12:46 PM	#8
Poseidon Moderator Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Swartz Creek, MI Posts: 6,527	More then even the amount of light, for T5's you would need more space then the top of your tank would provide. Add to that the fact that halide being a "point source" of light, you will get the shadows needed for the low light guys. __________________ Need a Photographer? Just say NO to CRABS Mike

03-26-2006, 02:10 PM	#2
acer Tenant Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: pittsburgh,pa Posts: 62	I have 440 watt VHO on a 90 gallon and my sun polyps are doing well on the bottom -with a outcropping of rock work that semi shields them from direct light.

03-26-2006, 07:36 PM	#6
golfish Moderator Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Alta Loma,Ca Posts: 2,943	I'm with the other mods....pop the top off the tank and go with a single MH pendant and forget all that other nonsense lighting

03-27-2006, 12:24 PM	#7
The Grim Reefer Council Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Here at the moment Posts: 267	The T5's are a bad idea in your case. The halide would create more shaded areas in the rocks where you can keep the lower light critters. The T5's pump out more light than the halide and eliminate a lot of the shaded areas you need.

04-01-2006, 04:25 PM	#10
dragonladylea Citizen Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Millington Mich Posts: 129	Okay now I've been looking at all the MH pendants and Ballast and am more confused than ever. I need something that is cost effective both on parts and electricity. (Lost one job to business closing and just had my overtime cut completely on the other job) That said until I find another ambulance company that is hiring I need inexpensive. As far as creating shadows I dont think I will have to much trouble with that the aquascape I did created a big cave that houses the chili and sunpolyps. __________________ When I've learned everything - bury me!!

04-01-2006, 07:41 PM	#11
dragonladylea Citizen Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Millington Mich Posts: 129	T-5's or MH retro?? Which is going to be most cost effective and which wattage?? __________________ When I've learned everything - bury me!!

04-03-2006, 10:53 PM	#12
dragonladylea Citizen Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Millington Mich Posts: 129	Just sent paypal for a Hamilton 175mh pendant and ballast. Thanks for all your advise. __________________ When I've learned everything - bury me!!

04-04-2006, 10:21 AM	#13
Poseidon Moderator Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Swartz Creek, MI Posts: 6,527	YAY! I'll bet you really like it, and if you ordered it from Debbie, I'll bet you have it tomorrow! __________________ Need a Photographer? Just say NO to CRABS Mike

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