[New2Reefs]

Hi there everyone!

I've got a deep tank--it's a 150 gallon tall--48" wide by 24" wide by 30" deep. For the past few months I've been researching lighting for it, and I thought I had made my decision, but guess again! I'm planning on keeping soft corals and reef-safe fish at first, but later on when I get more experience I'd like to get stony corals and maybe a clam. I have a solid oak canopy with an open back and a hole drilled in each end for a 4" cooling fan. I was originally going to go with a Hamilton 250-watt metal halide retrofit kit with two 96-watt compact fluorescents. After doing a bit more research, I think I'll really need 400-watt metal halides since my tank is deep. I really don't want to put this kind of wattage in an enclosed wood canopy, since I'm very concerned about safety. My tank also has a center brace and I don't want to mess with it.

Anyway, I think two metal halide pendants over the tank might be the way to go for me. There's a great LFS near me and they have the same arrangement over their stony coral tank. I'd rather scrap the wood canopy--thank God it was cheap--than spend the $$$ on a lighting system and constantly worry about the canopy catching fire.

Does anyone know what are good pendants to use for this tank? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[charlie]

If you are gonna lose the canopy, check here:
Never used them, but you hear so many good things about them.!!!

Reef Exotics


or you could look at these:

PFO HQI 400 Watt Metal Halide Mini Pendant (Double-Ended) - Marine Depot - Marine and Reef Aquarium Super Store

[Reefland]

Don't get any bell pendents for sure. You might instead look at a sleek hanging fixture and there are many, of course they do cost. Check out the Giesmann, Aqua Medic, Hamilton, Sunlight Supply complete hanging fixtures.

However, You could also consider the use of the 250w and keep your most light requiring corals at the mid/top levels and stick with your canopy.

[New2Reefs]

Thanks so much!! I'll definitely check those out!!

[charlie]

Originally Posted by Reefland

Don't get any bell pendents for sure. You might instead look at a sleek hanging fixture and there are many, of course they do cost. Check out the Giesmann, Aqua Medic, Hamilton, Sunlight Supply complete hanging fixtures.

However, You could also consider the use of the 250w and keep your most light requiring corals at the mid/top levels and stick with your canopy.

Good point Scott, depending on how it gets aquascaped, that might be the way to go!!!

[New2Reefs]

Wow! There's definitely a lot to look at! If I go with 2 metal halide pendants over the tank, what type of bulbs would be good to use--10,000K or 20,000K, or a mixture of the two for a different look? I've also got a separate lunar lighting system I'd still like to use--don't know if anyone's ever used it--it's called the "Moon Computer" by Fishbowl Innovations. There are two moonlight tubes that are linked together to the Moon Computer that controls your lunar lighting. Are there clips or something I could use to attach the tubes to the tank so I'm still able to use this lighting system?

[charlie]

Originally Posted by New2Reefs

Wow! There's definitely a lot to look at! If I go with 2 metal halide pendants over the tank, what type of bulbs would be good to use--10,000K or 20,000K, or a mixture of the two for a different look? I've also got a separate lunar lighting system I'd still like to use--don't know if anyone's ever used it--it's called the "Moon Computer" by Fishbowl Innovations. There are two moonlight tubes that are linked together to the Moon Computer that controls your lunar lighting. Are there clips or something I could use to attach the tubes to the tank so I'm still able to use this lighting system?

My best suggestion here would be to look around and see if anybody near you is using these different "K" bulbs. I have used both the 20K radiums and a couple different 10K bulbs and each has their own advantage and disadvantage. The 20K are blue, if you like the blue, great. One thing I did find was when I switched to a couple 10K bulbs over a certain part of my system, the growth really increased in that portion of the tank. If you are into doing some good research, here is a link that many people use to figure out what they want to use:
List of all my articles

Hope this helps a bit.
I have never used any moonlites, so I am not gonna be much help there, sorry.

Good luck.

[New2Reefs]

Great! Thanks a lot, charlie! I've got some more research to do--I've been trying to decide on lighting since February--but I want to be sure before I spend the $$$. My tank has been at an aquarium company for a while--I'm having the glass drilled and an internal overflow and standpipe installed--boy, this was NOT cheap! It's all very fun and exciting though!!

Thanks again!Boy, I really like this little popcorn-eating guy!

[charlie]

Welcome to the endless money pit!!!!

At least you are taking the time to do the research my friend. That way you do it once, not like some of us who had to do things 3-4 times befor they got it all in one big bag, if you know what I mean.