55 Gallon Lighting Question?

Bashiba · 07-15-2001, 09:55 PM

Hello all. I am doing some(lots) of research on starting my first reef aquarium. I am going with a 55 gallon. I know its not a recomended size, but I already have one that I can convert from freshwater. My question is - I already have a 110watt PC Light Strip Light. I was wondering if I could add a single 250 Metal Halide to it and if that would be adequate. I don't plan on keeping anything incredibly difficult to start off with. If so any suggestions on specifically what kind(Brand/model) Light would be easy to add on the a 55 given that there is also the strip light. Also would it then be better to use Acintic PC Bulbs or stick with the basic 8300K White that are in it?
Thanks in advance.
Bashiba

icemark · 07-15-2001, 11:30 PM

You may be able to initially get away with a single MH if you do not have a center brace, but you will not cover the whole tank and this may look a little odd aesthetically.

Bashiba · 07-16-2001, 12:01 AM

Thanks for the tip, I never even gave the fact that it had a center Brace a thought! I guess going with 2 175watt MH would be better. Any thoughts on the PC Bulbs?
Thanks
Bashiba

PerryinCA · 07-16-2001, 12:32 AM

bashiba,

I would strongly recommend getting a dual 250w MH kit. It would cost pennies more, both initially, and on the electricity bill than a 175w. For spectrum, I recommend the 250w Iwasaki 6500k. Its a good color, a long lived lamp, and has good output. I would use the PC's you have right now for actinic supplementation. The most favored actinic lamps (PC) on the market right now come from lampsnow.com. They are similar to the true actinic VHO lamps that are the best on the market.

One other thing to consider will be the heat. The lamps do have a tendancy to heat up the water. Installing a couple 4" fans in the canopy is usually all it takes to handle the heat output.

That would be a great setup for that tank. Its not overkill, but will allow you to keep "harder" species once you gain experience and feel confident to do so. Anything less and you will be regretting that you didn't go with the 250's. There are quite a few people on the boards that have dual 400w lamps over thier 55 gallons.

Hope this helps some,

Perry

Bashiba · 07-16-2001, 01:52 AM

Thanks for the advice Perry, After looking around I'll definitly go with the 250's. Already working on the fans. Any suggestions as to where to get the best buy on a pair of 250 MH's?
Thanks some more
Bashiba

PerryinCA · 07-16-2001, 03:11 AM

There are a few really good MO stores on the 'net. These include www.premiumaquatics.com, www.marinedepot.com, and here we have shopping at reefland.com. All are well respected, and have similar pricing. If you have any questions, Scott (Reefland@reefland.com) can answer any questions for ya. For value, you can't beat the PFO line of ballasts. They can be bulky, but are pretty reliable and have good output. If you have interest in paying more for a solid-state ballast, I strongly recommend the Icecap line of ballasts. They are my favorite, and the only ones I use. Main benefits being that they are small, cool running, efficient, and can be used for any type of lamp (including the HQI). Your gonna have to look at the two different types to see if the cost increase justifies the purchase for you. Nothing wrong with either one in any-case.

Let me know if you have anymore questions.

-Perry

naser · 07-17-2001, 01:53 AM

ive got the 110watt pc's on my 55 gallon also.. i also have one 400 watt mh above. im adding another to get more light to either side.. it works with one but seems like it really needs two.. just letting you know.

Bashiba · 07-17-2001, 06:01 PM

After thinking about it I'm sure I'll go with the double 250watts. Just wondering Naser how the PC's work as supplemental light on your 55, are you using the white or Blue bulbs and how do they look?
Thanks
Bashiba

naser · 07-26-2001, 12:59 AM

55's are only atinic blues. i might go with those smart bulbs to get alittle more white since now im stepping to iwasaki bulbs. everyone says my tank will melt with two 400's above it. its different i guess since im not really running them at the same time. the only over lap about an hour. sun set affect. left kicks on for5 hours then they both kick on then the right stays on for the rest of the 5 hours. 11 hour on time all together.

07-15-2001, 09:55 PM	#1
Bashiba Just Moved In Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Iowa Posts: 13	55 Gallon Lighting Question? Hello all. I am doing some(lots) of research on starting my first reef aquarium. I am going with a 55 gallon. I know its not a recomended size, but I already have one that I can convert from freshwater. My question is - I already have a 110watt PC Light Strip Light. I was wondering if I could add a single 250 Metal Halide to it and if that would be adequate. I don't plan on keeping anything incredibly difficult to start off with. If so any suggestions on specifically what kind(Brand/model) Light would be easy to add on the a 55 given that there is also the strip light. Also would it then be better to use Acintic PC Bulbs or stick with the basic 8300K White that are in it? Thanks in advance. Bashiba

07-15-2001, 11:30 PM	#2
icemark Governor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Rohnert Park, CA, USA Posts: 1,102	You may be able to initially get away with a single MH if you do not have a center brace, but you will not cover the whole tank and this may look a little odd aesthetically. __________________ Play well Mark www.mazdamark.com

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07-16-2001, 12:01 AM	#3
Bashiba Just Moved In Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Iowa Posts: 13	Thanks for the tip, I never even gave the fact that it had a center Brace a thought! I guess going with 2 175watt MH would be better. Any thoughts on the PC Bulbs? Thanks Bashiba

07-16-2001, 12:32 AM	#4
PerryinCA Governor Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Folsom, CA Posts: 2,103	bashiba, I would strongly recommend getting a dual 250w MH kit. It would cost pennies more, both initially, and on the electricity bill than a 175w. For spectrum, I recommend the 250w Iwasaki 6500k. Its a good color, a long lived lamp, and has good output. I would use the PC's you have right now for actinic supplementation. The most favored actinic lamps (PC) on the market right now come from lampsnow.com. They are similar to the true actinic VHO lamps that are the best on the market. One other thing to consider will be the heat. The lamps do have a tendancy to heat up the water. Installing a couple 4" fans in the canopy is usually all it takes to handle the heat output. That would be a great setup for that tank. Its not overkill, but will allow you to keep "harder" species once you gain experience and feel confident to do so. Anything less and you will be regretting that you didn't go with the 250's. There are quite a few people on the boards that have dual 400w lamps over thier 55 gallons. Hope this helps some, Perry

07-16-2001, 01:52 AM	#5
Bashiba Just Moved In Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Iowa Posts: 13	Thanks for the advice Perry, After looking around I'll definitly go with the 250's. Already working on the fans. Any suggestions as to where to get the best buy on a pair of 250 MH's? Thanks some more Bashiba

07-16-2001, 03:11 AM	#6
PerryinCA Governor Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Folsom, CA Posts: 2,103	There are a few really good MO stores on the 'net. These include www.premiumaquatics.com, www.marinedepot.com, and here we have shopping at reefland.com. All are well respected, and have similar pricing. If you have any questions, Scott (Reefland@reefland.com) can answer any questions for ya. For value, you can't beat the PFO line of ballasts. They can be bulky, but are pretty reliable and have good output. If you have interest in paying more for a solid-state ballast, I strongly recommend the Icecap line of ballasts. They are my favorite, and the only ones I use. Main benefits being that they are small, cool running, efficient, and can be used for any type of lamp (including the HQI). Your gonna have to look at the two different types to see if the cost increase justifies the purchase for you. Nothing wrong with either one in any-case. Let me know if you have anymore questions. -Perry

07-17-2001, 01:53 AM	#7
naser super-reefer Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: SAN DIEGO, CA Posts: 1,908	ive got the 110watt pc's on my 55 gallon also.. i also have one 400 watt mh above. im adding another to get more light to either side.. it works with one but seems like it really needs two.. just letting you know.

07-17-2001, 06:01 PM	#8
Bashiba Just Moved In Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Iowa Posts: 13	After thinking about it I'm sure I'll go with the double 250watts. Just wondering Naser how the PC's work as supplemental light on your 55, are you using the white or Blue bulbs and how do they look? Thanks Bashiba

07-26-2001, 12:59 AM	#9
naser super-reefer Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: SAN DIEGO, CA Posts: 1,908	55's are only atinic blues. i might go with those smart bulbs to get alittle more white since now im stepping to iwasaki bulbs. everyone says my tank will melt with two 400's above it. its different i guess since im not really running them at the same time. the only over lap about an hour. sun set affect. left kicks on for5 hours then they both kick on then the right stays on for the rest of the 5 hours. 11 hour on time all together.

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