Another Lighting Question

[alexwolf]

OK, as many of you know i am currently running 2 400w halides parallel to the tank. I was thinking about taking those out, and running 4 250w horizontal: like this around teh center brace.....do you think it will be enough penetration? Im afraid 4 400w will be too much.


Well ,the diagram came out crappy.....im talking like Jim's, with 2 on each side of the center brace, instead of 1.

[Henry]

Alex, I'm going to run 4-250s on my tank just as you are thinking of doing. I only have two on there now and it looks good to me.

[alexwolf]

i dont know, im getting really frustrated........how big is your tank? WHat bulbs are you going to use? I really like the 20k XM's. Will the 250's get the same penetratiopn as teh 400's? Whats the disadvantage?

[Tim Marvin]

Just add the 2/250 on with the 400's.

[alexwolf]

so, run 250 400 brace 400 250? Hm, even the most simple answer are the harderst to come up with. I would need to install more fans and holes on the top as my tank heats up as it is........

[Henry]

Tim has a good idea.

My tank is a 215gal, 7 footer. 10k bulbs.

The 250watt 20k xm will not have the same penetration of the 400.

[Tim Marvin]

Put the xm's on the 400's and the light will look close to the same intensity. Also try 250-400-brace-250-400 just to see how it looks to your eye. They may blend together pretty nice.

[alexwolf]

henry, what are you running?

[alexwolf]

i also currently have 2 72" VHO actinic 03's.........i was thinking go 10k on the 250's and 20k on the 400's

[Henry]

Currently two 10k blueline bulbs only 250watt

[alexwolf]

just 2 250w halides? Do you keep SPS?

[Henry]

I only have one side lit. I'm still waiting on my other set.

[alexwolf]

i gotcha, where did you get them from? Are you using the spider reflectors? Also, what are you using for ventialtion? Are you running a chiller?

[Henry]

I got this setup from Jason when he was selling everything. Yes on the spider reflectors, Open top for now still building my final canopy. No chiller, yet(hopefully never)

[alexwolf]

im considering cutting the top on mine. It heats up from 79 to 86 if the halides are on all day.