lighting system for a 50

gemtang · 10-10-2001, 03:51 PM

Hi, I was wondering if anyone can give me any advice on some lighting options. I have a 3ft acrylic 50 gallon tank (28in tall). Currently I'm using 4X96 watt pcs, but I'm interested in using a metal halide and pc combo, but I can't decide which one to buy. I have some lps and sps in the tank right now. I had some real nice croceas and maximas but since I had to raise my lights from a 6in canopy to a 12in canopy due to heat problems, my tank isn't as bright as before. So the clams are gone and the sps are fading. I was planning on getting a 3ft retro w/ 1X175watt 6500K and 2X55 actinics. I'm wondering if this is going to be enough for a 3ft tank? My other option is getting 2X175watt 6500k and 2X55 actinics, but I'm questioning if this is going to be too much for a 3ft tank (it seems better for a 4ft tank). My last option is going w/ my first option but upgrading the halide to a 250watt 6500k and the 2X55 actinics? I'm planning on putting these in the 12in canopy w/ 2 4in fans blowing air out and one window fan w/ 2 10in fans blowing air in. I'm having trouble w/ this since I want to get as much light as I can, but not have heat problems during the summer. I understand that halides are going to produce more heat then pcs, so if anyone has any suggestions please feel free to reply. Thanks!

naser · 10-10-2001, 03:54 PM

well one would work as far as mh go. my reef has 2 400 mh's and 2 55 watt pc's. i have just a 55 gallon. some say overkill i say my sps's have never looked better.

naser · 10-10-2001, 06:15 PM

oh yea forgot about one thing i have no hood just a reflector above my tank.

10-10-2001, 03:51 PM	#1
gemtang Just Moved In Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Davis, CA Posts: 6	lighting system for a 50 Hi, I was wondering if anyone can give me any advice on some lighting options. I have a 3ft acrylic 50 gallon tank (28in tall). Currently I'm using 4X96 watt pcs, but I'm interested in using a metal halide and pc combo, but I can't decide which one to buy. I have some lps and sps in the tank right now. I had some real nice croceas and maximas but since I had to raise my lights from a 6in canopy to a 12in canopy due to heat problems, my tank isn't as bright as before. So the clams are gone and the sps are fading. I was planning on getting a 3ft retro w/ 1X175watt 6500K and 2X55 actinics. I'm wondering if this is going to be enough for a 3ft tank? My other option is getting 2X175watt 6500k and 2X55 actinics, but I'm questioning if this is going to be too much for a 3ft tank (it seems better for a 4ft tank). My last option is going w/ my first option but upgrading the halide to a 250watt 6500k and the 2X55 actinics? I'm planning on putting these in the 12in canopy w/ 2 4in fans blowing air out and one window fan w/ 2 10in fans blowing air in. I'm having trouble w/ this since I want to get as much light as I can, but not have heat problems during the summer. I understand that halides are going to produce more heat then pcs, so if anyone has any suggestions please feel free to reply. Thanks!

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10-10-2001, 03:54 PM	#2
naser super-reefer Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: SAN DIEGO, CA Posts: 1,908	well one would work as far as mh go. my reef has 2 400 mh's and 2 55 watt pc's. i have just a 55 gallon. some say overkill i say my sps's have never looked better.

10-10-2001, 06:15 PM	#3
naser super-reefer Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: SAN DIEGO, CA Posts: 1,908	oh yea forgot about one thing i have no hood just a reflector above my tank.

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