[fletch]

Ok,
I was out of the reef gig for about 5 months and came across this GREAT deal on an Oceanic 58g RR for only $85, so I jumped and got it faster than a .... well you know you wouldnt pass it up either.

So now I am again faced with a newby type of a ?
What lighting to buy. I have thought in great depth on this subject since it is the Mother of the tank. I have also thought of keeping a skimmer, well that other stuff I'll post one the gen discussion. I am thinking of going with ONE HQI (or DE, whatever you choose to call it) over the left center of the tank. The reason for this is because I want to have a mixed tank of SPS and softies and possibly a clam or 2. My last tank was a 75g and I had Dual 400w Iwasakis supplemented with Actinics, FIRST problem with that lighting was that it was too many Watts to run for 14 hours a day 14kw a day adds up fast plus pumps and ect.
I am thinking of only one HQI 10k 150w since that I have read that these put off far more par that any other MH lighting, is this true?
I have also thought of just having one 250w Ushio 10k on there also. I do not want to go back to the (to my eyes) yellow look of the 6.5k bulbs.

Any suggestions, or other pics of a 58g lighting setup would be appreciated.

The tank is 36x18x20h

Fletch

[jsaltzgi]

I don't think that the 150 watt bulb would be enough. I have two 250-watt DE on my 75 (AB 10000K), and am considering adding an extra 150 20000K radium in the center. I think that you'd be better off using a single 400 watt radium 20000K on a blueline ballast, centrally located, then you could put softies of to the sides, if you wanted.

You might also want to consider a VHO actinic or so- actinic gives you that nice fluorescence, and you and have something of a dusk-dawn effect. Just my $0.02 worth.

James

[Reefland]

I agree with the above. 1 150w will not give you the coverage I think you will want. If you do go with 1 150w, I would put a couple of VHO over it to provide complete coverage and then place your SPS/Clams under the MH. I think a 400w would be much better with 2 VHO, 1 50/50 and 1 actinic.

Scott Z.

[fletch]

Thx Guys,
I have done alot of thinking and I think that I need to clarify some things.
First the reason I am going to have the light off center to the left is because of the Overflow
I was thinking that I had read somewhere that HQI or DE bulbs put off more light, I have read now agains those articles

I am now thinking of a single 250w MH 10k with some Actinics as supplementation. I am actually hoping for some darker areas in my tank so that I can grow some less light loving softies liek Sun Coral( wifes favorite)

Thx for the suggestions and please keep the suggestions coming in

Questions and suggestions dont hurt my thoughts UNTIL I buy the lighting and then think OH yeah what about this!!
hehe

Fletch

[Reefland]

Ok, so how about going with this:

1 250w HQI DE
2 36" VHO 1 Aquasun and 1 Actinic?

This would give you plenty of light under the MH for SPS and Clams and the other end of the tank would support your softies that you mention.

Are you concerned with the MH over the overflow causing algae to grow in it? I think I would center the MH over the tank and have 2 ends for your less light requiring corals.

Scott Z.

[dattack]

One 400W PFO HQI with 20K radiums on a 3 ft parallel reflector.

[jsaltzgi]

If you are going to DIY the lighting/ hood, one thing to consider is dealing with the DE bulbs is more complicated than the moguls...

They do produce considerably more UV than the mogul base bulbs, you will definitely want a piece of tempered glass as a shield.

To the best of my knowledge, there are no reflectors available commercially that are very friendly to these bulbs- you can use spectral aluminum or modify something else like I did.

You can not blow air on the bulbs- cooling fans must be carefully located so as to not draw air directly over the bulbs. I have vents in the area of the bulbs (the ends of the canopy), fans above the reflector, and am considering adding fans below the glass shield... This is the one factor that really makes me think I might have been better off going 400 watt radiums for my skillls as a do-it-yourselfer....

I hope this info helps!

James

[Chris Lakies]

Remember that Sanjay's study of the 150 MH was with a reflector and the 400 MH was without.

[fletch]

Nope never read that post could you post it here?

As far as the HQI's, I am probably going to use MH's instead, again I have spoke with numerous people on this Item and many thanks to everyones suggestions. I am probably going to run a singe 250w MH with a 10k bulb(Ushio possibly). I hav been looking at the empty tank and I am in the process of building a stand, that will be pure Oak and have many compartments. While looking at the empty tank and trying to visualise it full, I have decided against the offset idea since it would look a little weird. I am going to put the 250 right in the middle. I will also add a IceCap ballast later and possibly supplement some actinic or more vho colored 10k.

Thanks again guys/gals,
Fletch

[dattack]

Fletch,
HQI and Metal halides are not separate entities.

You will probably need actinic supplement with your 250 W Ushio, which will then increase your cost up to the same range as a 400W SE HQI radium with 20K bulb.

[Reefland]

I was reading a thread earlier where Andy mentioned and posted some pics of an IceCap 400w ballast powering a 400w 20k Radium with a Sunlight Reef Optix Pendent (shewww)....It looked real nice!

He said that Ocean Encounter and someone else had a few of the 400w available you may want to inquire about.

Regards,
Scott Z.

[reefhead]

hi all,I bought a 400w sunlight supply pulse start with a Radium 20k for my new 54g corner.

this is a great set up, and inexpensive also!

[jsaltzgi]

I think you will be very happy with that!!

James

[Reefland]

Where did you pick up your 54 corner from?

Just curious,
Scott Z.